Have you ever thought about what it would be like to completely disconnect from the noise of everyday life and get lost in the nature; As much as your mobile phone or laptop seems necessary, contact with nature is the best antidote to stress and fatigue. Whether you’re walking in the park, running by the sea, or camping in the mountains, nature is here to give you peace, clarity and energy.

Despite the fact that we all know how much it helps to get outside, many times we prefer to stay at home, immersed in social media or television. Lately, however, a practice has gone viral that reminds us how valuable nature is for our mental and physical health: the “Forest Bathing».

What is Forest Bathing?

“Forest Bathing”, which in Greek you can also call it “bath in the forest”, is an ancient Japanese practice that helps you connect deeply with the natural environment around you. You don’t need anything but to walk among the trees, listen to the sounds of nature and leave the stress of everyday life behind you.

The idea is simple: you turn off your cell phone and just let go. The sense of disconnection from the digital world is liberating. No notifications, emails or messages. Just you, the trees and time that seems to stop.

Why do you need it?

When you find yourself in the forest or in some natural landscape, you will quickly feel an inner calm come over you. You spend time with yourself, something that rarely happens in modern life conditions, and you see your psychology change. Studies have shown that exposure to nature lowers blood pressure, prevents diseases such as diabetes, and has cardioprotective and anticancer properties. In addition, “Forest Bathing” is an excellent tool to combat stress and negative thoughts that accumulate every day.

Nature as psychotherapy

In Japan and South Korea, Forest Bathing is not just a pleasurable activity, but is officially recognized as a therapeutic practice. Doctors recommend that their patients who suffer from excessive stress or have high blood pressure spend time in nature as part of their treatment. A weekend in the mountains or a walk in a park can do wonders for your physical and mental health.

Get out of the house and get back to nature

Forest Bathing gives you one more reason to leave the house behind and get outside. It is a simple, effective and accessible practice that helps you find your balance again, away from the noise of everyday life and digital stimuli. Because, after all, the time you spend in nature is time you return to yourself.