The Rise 

There is something truly inspiring and hopeful happening right now that I want to tell you about. A worldwide grass-roots movement is underway that is bringing the healing power of nature to the forefront of our modern wellness modalities. Leading the way is Shinrin-yoku or otherwise known as “Forest Bathing” and its meteoric rise in popularity is phenomenal.  Can Forest Bathing save the world?

The Birth Of Shinrin-yoku

Translated as “Forest Bathing”, Shinrin-yoku was created in Japan as a organized wellness activity in 1982 by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.  The simple and elegant practice is essentially taking slow walks in the forest to get in touch with nature through the five senses. The health benefits are real and profound. 

The Cultural Leap

Shinrin-yoku’s first leap across cultures was to Korea where it was readily adopted and given the name, salim yok. It wasn’t until about 30 years later that countries like the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany began to take notice of Shinrin-yoku.  Steeped in the countries’ own complicated relationship between its people and the natural world, you might be wondering how a practice from the other side of the world has taken such hold at the time it has.

Why Now?

  • The supportive scientific research that we can get behind.  
  • Global warming and our grief.  The practice offers solace and a proactive means to connect to the beauty of the earth and address our disconnection. 
  • Our willingness to try self-care to heal from life’s maladies in the modern technological age. 

How It’s Catching On

Scientific journals continued publishing results from researchers. Media outlets from The Washington Post to the Atlantic continued to spread awareness. Interestingly, the language of science could speak to pragmatic minds about the benefits of nature.  Nature Connection Books mixing science and storytelling started reaching the hearts and minds of people everywhere such Braiding Sweetgrass and the Hidden Life of Trees. 

[bctt tweet=”Irony of Internet:  The thing that keeps us indoors has been essential to spreading Forest Bathing, the thing that brings us outside.” username=”natureconnect_”]

Nature Connectors Among Us

Forest Bathing Guides Map

Interactive map of Forest Therapy Guides around the world.

Astute leaders in nature connection in the U.S recognized the potential of Shinrin-yoku. Wellness and mental health professionals such as ones in Ecotherapy, Wilderness Therapy and Horticultural therapy readily adopted the tenants of Shinrin-yoku and offered new and invigorated care to those in need.   What developed in United States became known as “Forest Therapy” or more widely as “Forest Bathing”. 

Way of The Guides

There are currently Forest Therapy guides trained in 23 countries on 6 continents and there will be close to 450 certified guides by May 2019 by California based Association of Nature and Forest Therapy.   I am proud to say I am one of these guides practicing in the beautiful state of Vermont.

With each guide around the world from South Africa to Ireland giving walks in their communities, the practice of Forest Bathing will continue to grow exponentially.  And this is just one training organization amongst many.  The cultural embrace of shirin-yoku is adding fodder to the growing lexicon of nature connection practices across the world.

Institutional Embrace

International Forest Day

Right now in the U.S. and beyond, government and institutional organizations are beginning to formally recognize the importance of how nature can care for the community’s wellbeing. Case in point: The United Nations has proclaimed International Day of Forests to be March 21st.  Here’s another: The Park Prescription program or Park Rx which is “A community of practitioners advancing the use of parks and public lands to improve health and wellness among individuals and communities”.   In Vermont there are doctors who prescribe park passes for their patients to experience nature to support their health.

This comes at a time when precious lands are threatened by lack of policy, funding and protections from Federal government. Forest Bathing has huge potential.  It justifies the preservation of our land. It is an effective treatment and preventative measure to combat the onset of psychological and physiological conditions.  It is just beginning to be realized and widely utilized.

Hope

The movement of folding our traditions of nature connection into modern wellness practices is underway.   Our planet is grateful.  We are hopeful.  The phenomenon is comforting: As we continue to recognize the health benefits that nature provides, we will inevitably want to preserve and conserve the very entity that has been so giving to us.  Adaption of new and different ideas has always been the way traditions are renewed and maintained.  As we adapt our age old traditions of nature connection and shinrin-yoku into the modern mainstream way of life, we will continue our evolution to live in nature in a more harmonious and sustainable way.  Join this movement.  If you’ve read this piece it’s likely you already have.  For that, I thank you. 

Duncan Murdoch

CERTIFIED NATURE & FOREST THERAPY GUIDE Duncan is a Certified Nature & Forest Therapy guide living and working in Vermont. He grew up on the shores of Lake Champlain where his deep connection to Nature was formed. Following his passion for art, he moved to NYC where he lived and worked as a professional actor for 14 years. Nature called him to become a horticulturist so he transitioned to become a NYC parks department gardener which lead him to a life of nature (re) connection. After receiving his Nature & Forest Therapy Guide Certification from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) in 2015, he began his practice in New York City guiding the first forest bathing groups in Central Park. He then moved back to his home state in Vermont in 2015 and began his work with the Intervale Center growing and planting native trees where he now serves as the Land Stewardship Coordinator. As a wellness practitioner, he is part of the UVM Integrative Health Practitioner Network and frequently conducts forest bathing experiences throughout Vermont and the world, in-person and online with his organization, Nature Connection Guide.