Being in nature, intertwined with trees and other species in the forest helps protect us from stress. Long walks in the forest, away from artificial light and noise, take away all the tiredness of our body.
The Japanese people have also taken a closer look at this healing power of the forest and made spending time in the forest a part of their culture. The Japanese, who describe the serenity of being in the forest with the term Shinrin-Yoku, closely observe the benefits of spending time in nature and share these results with the whole world. So what is Shinrin-Yoku? What does the Shinrin-Yoku philosophy tell us? Let's examine this approach together.
Before diving into Shinrin-Yoku, we suggest you take a look at these hotels in Kabak Bay, which will allow you to reflect this philosophy on your holiday:
{tocify} $title={Table of Contents}
What is Shinrin-Yoku Philosophy?
Shinrin-Yoku, which means forest bathing, spending time in the forest, reveals that being in the forest, walking under the trees serves as therapy and relieves the person from stress and anxiety. Shinrin-Yoku emerged in the 1980s and began to be used as a health care and therapy method in Japanese medicine. Aiming to make forests attractive to those who are tired of city life, the Japanese are relieved of stress thanks to the Shinrin-Yoku philosophy.
According to this philosophy, if we spend more time in nature and stay in a calm and natural environment, we become more peaceful thanks to the refreshing and healing power of nature. Many studies on this subject provide clear information about the health benefits of spending time under the shade of a forest. This philosophy, which is an antidote to problems such as air and noise pollution and traffic problems brought about by modernization, positively affects both mental and physical health, thanks to the tranquility of the forests and being in nature.
20-Minute Forest Bath
There are Shinrin-Yoku forests in 62 different areas in Japan, and the positive effects of these areas on human health have been scientifically proven. Researchers say that walking for 40 minutes by opening our five senses and breathing in the forest reduces stress levels. In addition, even after just 20 minutes of forest bathing, blood pressure was observed to drop. In this way, a solution to problems such as anger, anxiety, anger is found. However, according to experts, spending 2 to 3 hours in the forest and meditating protects the body and soul better. However, even a 20-minute forest bath a day is enough for mental and physical health.
So how do we do the forest bath? What are the tricks of this job?
It's actually very easy to take a forest bath. It is necessary to escape to nature and leave ourselves to the compassionate arms of the forest. However, some points need to be considered for an effective therapy. For example, while taking a forest bath, we need to stay away from electronic devices such as phones and tablets, live in the moment without focusing on a goal, take short breaks to detect the details in the forest, touch the trees, sit and listen to the sounds coming from the forest, and thus let ourselves go with the flow. In this way, our body and mind are purified.
Shinrin-Yoku Benefits
According to studies on this subject, it is known that spending time in the forest acts as therapy and is good for mental health, increases the level of happiness and attention, strengthens immunity, increases creativity, and balances blood pressure and sleep patterns. It has also been proven that thanks to the Shinrin-Yoku philosophy, intuition becomes clearer, life energy and sense of satisfaction increase.
Shinrin-Yoku Forests in Istanbul
When you turn this philosophy into your life routine, you will want to go to the forested areas of your city and spend a lot of time there. If you live in Istanbul, many forests await you in this beautiful city. For example, green areas such as Atatürk City Forest, Belgrad Forest, Kemerburgaz City Forest, Aydos Forest are among the best addresses for Shinrin-Yoku.
In these days when we are used to spending time at home and looking forward to being in nature, it will be very good for all of us to take shelter in the healing power of the forest. Hugging the trees, living in the moment and just listening to the sounds of nature will take our hasty mood away and bring us peace. As Hermann Hesse says in his book Trees: "He who learns to listen to trees no longer desires to be a tree. He no longer desires to be anything but himself. This is the homeland. This is happiness."