Shinrin-Yoku: how Japan’s art of ‘forest bathing’ boosts health

This video is meant to expand your general knowledge about living a healthy life and is NOT a substitute for seeking medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before making changes in your health practices, diet and self-care.

Shinrin-Yoku or forest bathing is the practice of spending time in the forest for better health, happiness and a sense of calm. A pillar of Japanese culture for decades, Shinrin-Yoku is a way to reconnect with nature, from walking mindfully in the woods, to a break in your local park, to walking barefoot on your lawn.

In this video, filmed in Blackwood Forest near Winchester, Forest Medicine expert Dr. Qing Li introduces us to forest bathing, explains why it originated in Japan, and discusses the health advantages of getting out into a forest or park today.

Dr. Li’s research has proven that spending time around trees – even filling a home with house plants and vaporising essential tree oils – can lead to a host of benefits. Some of these include reduction in blood pressure, lowering of stress and boosting of energy and immune systems.

View the original video here.

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