Japan, a country with a long-standing culture, has developed a form of medicine called “forest bathing” or “Shinrin-yoku” - a therapy that helps people relieve stress and anxiety.
Simply put, forest bathing does not mean bathing in the forest or having to walk or jog. Simply immersing yourself in the nature of the forest and connecting with your five senses is called forest bathing.
Open your senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch to feel and connect with nature, that is you have practiced forest bathing.
Seek forest bathing for spiritual healing
Nguyen Thi Tuyet (Buddhist name Dieu Lien) is a woman who lives in seclusion, healing her spirit with the art of "forest bathing" in Van Phong Bay, Khanh Hoa. From the perspective of a long-time meditator who does not like crowded places, according to her, the essence of forest bathing is meditation in the forest, which means people perceive the present with all five senses.
In the midst of the natural setting where Nguyen Thi Tuyet lives and in an extremely favorable natural condition will help people enter the most conscious state. She then searched for everything suitable to create her own style and thus came to forest bathing - a mindful lifestyle, a trend of the spa and resort industry.
Van Phong Bay, Khanh Hoa
In 2015, she joined the forest bathing instructor course of the American Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT). She wanted to bring this program to Vietnam, but then because she was too busy, it was not until 2019 that she began her journey as a forest bathing instructor. The learning process was also the time when she practiced her communication skills to "minimize her ego as much as possible".
Almost every forest bathing trip has the help of a guide, visitors will learn how to stop and feel the surrounding nature.
“I like being a forest bathing guide because it is also a time to practice lowering my ego in interacting with people. I am passionate about this subject because I get to see and witness 'nature is the greatest therapist' through the experiences of participants,” she shared.
Nguyen Thi Tuyet believes that the purpose of people coming here is to regenerate energy in an open natural space with beautiful scenery. Activities can be meditation, yoga... with the purpose of connecting with nature for therapy, not simply for entertainment like other forms of tourism.
Forest bathing guide Nguyen Thi Tuyet and participating members
Refresh your body and mind with “forest bathing”
Shinrin-yoku originated in Japan in the 1980s, combining the words “forest” and “bathroom,” and translated as forest bathing. At that time, people were suffering from the negative effects of the technology boom on people such as depression, lack of concentration, and pain.
Researchers have shown that walking in the woods helps reduce blood pressure, cortisol (stress hormone), improve concentration and memory. This has created a healthier lifestyle for people of all ages, this is considered a form of emotional therapy or healing of the soul by experiencing life in a natural environment.
Nguyen Thi Tuyet shared: “Forest bathing therapy is going to the forest with a guide, whose role is to give different invitations so that participants can follow the right purpose and feel the mountains and forests as much as possible.”
Various studies have shown that spending time around plants can reduce stress, improve mood, lower heart rate and blood pressure, increase concentration, boost the immune system, and help us sleep better. In simple terms, plants can heal our minds and bodies.
Forest bathing is a long-standing Japanese tradition of health care, where people walk aimlessly in the forest. It is literally immersing themselves in nature.
Forests have compounds of plants and trees that secrete natural oils in the process of fighting insects to survive called phytoncides. Phytoncides are also called plant chemicals, easily recognized through the scent of plants and trees, through the smell of essential oils that help reduce stress, arouse a happy mood, purify the mind, think clearly, be optimistic... That is why walking in the forest people often feel full of energy.
“People often find it difficult to get out of their thoughts, and it takes a lot of energy to keep their minds busy. Most of us are often caught up in unnecessary thoughts. With the guide’s suggestions, each individual will be able to disconnect from that stream of thoughts and immerse themselves in nature. It is simply an easy way to recharge one’s energy,” she said.
Practicing this form makes the mind stop, not having to think or worry, so energy is not consumed. When in a quiet space and in contact with nature, the way of seeing things is also clearer than usual, thinking becomes clear.
When asked by Travellive about the difficulties of the forest bathing journeys of Nguyen Thi Tuyet and the participating members, it was almost inevitable that they would encounter insects while relaxing their bodies in the mountains and forests. And the first thing when going forest bathing is to have a safe forest.
Relax your body and immerse yourself in nature to bring positive energy.
She added: “Each person’s story of forest bathing connects with nature in many different ways and feels completely different. At this time, their minds are open, their bodies are relaxed, as comfortable as possible and not covered by worries or fears. Things that cannot be expressed in words can only be felt when completely in the forest and immersed in nature, sometimes even beyond the expectations of the tour guide.”
“Nature is the best therapist”
“Connect with nature as much as possible, live authentically to connect with nature in the most authentic way,” said Nguyen Thi Tuyet.
We are often caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, not everyone has the opportunity or time to experience forest bathing. Instead of staring at your phone screen all day, make the most of your contact with nature.
It is easy to see that the scent of plants helps people reduce stress and evoke a happy mood...
At least each individual can plant a balcony full of grass and trees to look at and breathe the space around it every day. Or a few pictures of nature to decorate the house, walking in the park... also bring a special feeling.
“Not only does forest bathing bring about some refreshing feelings, it also brings about a very profound touch or a moment of enlightenment,” Nguyen Thi Tuyet shared.
