Shinrin-yoku; Why nature is good for your health!

My family went camping and hiking while I was a child, I've gone canoeing about a dozen times, we visited forests while on vacation, but I never considered myself an "outdoorsy" girl.

While doing research on the architectural history of Chicago (where I grew up), I came across the interesting fact that the Cook County Forest Preserve District is the largest of its kind in the world, still not an outdoorsy girl, but I thought it was cool.

Through research for my work, I started learning about natural history of areas. This is what interested me. How the land was used and how it was developed. This idea spread and I eventually decided to take my son to one of the many Cook County Forest Preserve hiking trails in the vicinity of our house. It went better than I could have imagined and these nearby forests have turned into our favorite places. Being in the forest just made my two year old and I so happy. I knew there had to be health benefits for both of us, but it wasn't until months later when I read an article about shinrin-yoku, "Forest bathing", in Japan. I'm going to share excerpts from the article, as well as my own observations.

What is shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing? Well, here's the Wiki answer:

In Japan, a forest bathing trip, called Shinrin-yoku (森林浴) in Japanese and Mandarin, Sanlimyok (산림욕) in Korean, is a short, leisurely visit to a forest. Studies support claims of the benefits of Shinrin Yoku. These have demonstrated that exposure to nature positively creates calming neuro-psychological effects, as well as demonstrated reductions in stress, anger, anxiety, depression and sleeplessness.

History behind it, also from WIKI:

A forest bathing trip involves visiting a forest for relaxation and recreation while breathing in volatile substances, calledphytoncides (wood essential oils), which are antimicrobial volatile organic compounds derived from trees, such as a-pinene andlimonene. Incorporating forest bathing trips into a good lifestyle was first proposed in 1982 by the Forest Agency of Japanwww.rinya.maff.go.jp. It has now become a recognized relaxation and/or stress management activity in Japan.

I know what you're thinking, "Well you're from Chicago, of course you have the opportunity to spend time in the forest, all we have is a neighborhood park." 

1st off, I don't think most people think Chicago when they think of forested land. I never thought about it while I was growing up here. Look around you for opportunities, AND GO TO THAT NEIGHBORHOOD PARK. The rest of this answer, I'm going to support with science from the article cited at the end of this post. 

This, of course, makes sense. Spending time in any well-maintained green space improves the likelihood of social cohesion as well as mental clarity and well-being, says Julia Africa, program leader for the Nature, Health, and the Built Environment Program at the Harvard School of Public Health. Current research also shows that simply being in green spaces de-stresses us and can boost mood. If you’re up to take an actual forest bath, it’s not hard to do. According to M. Amos Clifford 's comprehensive guidebook, A Little Handbook of Shinrin-Yoku, all you need to do is find a forest or a park with some trees and wander around enjoying “sensory experiences—like the view of a stream, the sounds of birds, the changing aromas as you move along the trail, the texture and tastes of the air you are breathing, and the many patterns and forms of the world around you." Clifford suggests two-hour sessions. 

It's also good for the kid's health!

So, go out there, find your forest. I promise it will be the best therapy, church, classroom, bar, and gym all wrapped into one. 

http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/health-benefits-shinrin-yoku