❓What is forest bathing❓
In 1982, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries created the term shinrin-yoku, which translates to “forest bathing” or “absorbing the forest atmosphere.” The practice encourages people to simply spend time in nature — no actual bathing required. The goal of forest bathing is to live in the present moment while immersing your senses in the sights and sounds of a natural setting.
🌲🌲Take a slow meander in nature at Winterpast Farm Petting Zoo in Wake Forest NC. Walk with the Farmers Daughter into the back pasture and forest along with goats, sheep, emu and CLAIRE donkey. Slow down and relax. Hug a tree 🌲. Roam Farmer Mary’s ten fenced acres. 🌳Find joy in the land.
Health Benefits: Forest bathing has been found to lower blood pressure, heart rate, and levels of harmful hormones — like cortisol, which your body produces when it’s stressed.This can help put you in a more calm and relaxed state.
🌳☀️🌲Studies have found that spending 10 to 20 minutes a day outdoors can lead to increased well-being and happiness and decreased amounts of stress.🥰😄🤓
🌲🌲Once you have arrived in the forest, take a few deep breaths and center yourself. Focus on what your senses are taking in.
🌳Spend a few moments simply observing your surroundings. Sit and watch how the trees sway in the wind or simply walk around. If you decide to walk, go at a leisurely pace and without a specific destination in mind. It’s important to let your mind and senses explore and indulge. The goal of forest bathing is to relax and detach from your normal every day life.
Make your wellbeing a priority ‼️
This is not exercise, or hiking, or jogging. It is simply being in nature, connecting with it through our senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. Shinrin-yoku is like a bridge. By opening our senses, it bridges the gap between us and nature🌲🌳☀️
Never have we been so divorced from nature. By 2050, 66% of the world’s population is projected to live in cities. Studies show the average American spends 93% of his or her time indoors‼️
🌲🌳Regular farm admission applies. Please read “Your Visit” at winterpast.org