Outdoor Ed: A New Approach Learning to Enjoy Forest Bathing

For well over 100 years, “Outdoor Education” has held a variety of meanings. Some longstanding school programs have designated weeks when school kids go cabin camping in the woods and/or mountains to enjoy fresh air and learn about trees, flowers, birds, mammals, and water creatures in rivers, lakes, and ponds. In addition, students are taught about the environment, ecology, and conservation. Scout troops, Camp Fire groups, 4-H Clubs, and many other camping organizations provide outdoor education as well. Activities like hiking, nature walks, swimming, and boating enhance the outdoor experience. Instructors and counselors provide direct instruction, delivering lessons in ways to identify various forms of wildlife and acquire vocabulary. Knowledge is often “poured in.”
 
But another way of experiencing the outdoors has been growing in popularity since the 1980s. The practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, began in Japan, but countries around the globe now have groups of advocates and practitioners. The forest does not have to be an actual forest—any place with trees such as a park, arboretum, or a backyard can serve as the location. The bathing does not involve water, but refers to an immersive experience.

The process is actually in tune with the original meaning of education, for it does not involve information-laden instruction. The term education came down to modern English from ancient Latin. Long ago, educare meant “to lead out,” indicating that the process was to bring forth something already within.
 
Forest bathing participants can be all ages. One noted program in the San Diego schools involves second-graders. The teacher is certified in forest therapy and finds that it is a way for students to slow down and use all their senses to bring the outdoors into focus. The children are encouraged to practice mindfulness and engage in deep breathing. (See also MOTAL article Minding Mindfulness by Marcy Fry, July 2020)


Followup studies of children show that they are able to reduce levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. They sleep better, can pay better attention in school, and are able to provide richer descriptions of their encounters with the outdoors. In the pandemic era, forest bathing can help ease the tensions that arise from hours indoors.


A forest bathing session might possibly take an hour, but staying in a natural environment that long is not necessary. Fifteen minutes might be a good beginning. Daily experiences would be optimal. Bathers should be expected to shut down electronic devices and/or leave them behind.


The following thoughts can help guide sensory exploration:


Listen for the sounds of nature; some are close by, others may be at a distance.


Smell the earth, the breeze, the leaves nearby.


Look for the variety of colors—and shades of colors—that infuse the things you see. A magnifying glass might help enjoy the smaller things that escape detection on first look.


Feel the blades of grass, caress a leaf from the nearby tree, gently rub your hand on the tree bark.

Related at-home or classroom activities: Keep a small journal to record impressions with pencil and paper. Draw pictures. Reflect on your feelings. Write poetry influenced by the bathing experience. Study poets whose works are inspired by nature.


No matter what the season, no matter what time of day, forest bathing can be enjoyed. It does not cost a thing, although classes and trail walking experiences can be had for small fees. Its practice helps you escape the pressures of being indoors. It. Can. Soothe. Your. Soul.

Sources:
National Geographic - Destress your kids with a forest-bathing adventure


Time Magazine - The Benefits of 'Forest Bathing' | TIME


NPR - Forest Bathing Melds Nature With Mindfulness To Improve Health : Shots - Health News : NPR


National Geographic - A skeptic tries ‘forest bathing’


Recommended resource:
Book - Li, Dr. Qing; Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness. Viking: 2018


MOTAL Article - Minding Mindfulness
Prepared for MOTAL by Marcy Fry, Devoted MOTAL supporter


Submitted by
Greta Nagel,
MOTAL President and CEO