On April 8, 10, 15, 22, and 24 from 10 am to 1 pm the Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford is offering forest bathing walks that are inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, which translates to forest bathing, these walks have been scientifically proven to boost immune strength, reduce stress, and improve cognitive function. Beyond the physiological changes, forest bathing offers us the opportunity to deepen our relationship with the natural world.
Forest bathing, called shinrin-yoku in Japan, is a research-based framework for supporting healing and wellness through immersion in forests and other natural environments.
It began as the Japanese government’s response to a noticeable decline in health (increased heart attacks, high blood pressure, autoimmune disease, depression, and more) during the tech boom of the 1980s. Researchers used 24 national sites for the purpose of forest bathing and found a dramatic improvement in markers such as blood pressure, variable heart rate, and cortisol levels (the stress hormone) after a 2-hour walk.
Studies continue to demonstrate a wide array of health benefits, especially in the cardiovascular and immune systems, mood, and cognitive function. ANFT Certified Guides build on those benefits and look beyond, to what happens when people remember that we are a part of nature, not separate from it, and are related to all other beings in fundamental ways.