Forest bathing is something to be understood in a figurative sense. You submerge yourself and all of your senses in the forest and its atmosphere, thereby taking a “bath”. The senses are not only activated, but they are reactivated in a certain way, as in our daily lives we often unknowingly shut them off and cease to perceive things correctly. A trip to the forest has a positive effect on our health and well-being.
“Through Shinrin Yoku, we aim to jump off the spinning carousel of our thoughts,” explains Christina Hirzel, a certified Shinrin Yoku health coach. In today’s performance-oriented society, we are accustomed to evaluating everything, working towards a goal, and being as efficient as possible. Dawdling is frowned upon. None of this exists in Shinrin Yoku. “We attempt to actively unlearn these internalized standards for a moment,” says Hirzel. The participants are allowed to open up to and appreciate their curiosity again, like how we did when we were children.
Helpful shutdown
In Shinrin Yoku, the distances traveled are only short. Still, for many people the practice is overwhelming at first. The slowness helps to dial down and switch off. Paired with the effects of nature, this is exactly what may help those suffering from Long COVID.
The importance of Pacing
One important aspect is what is known as Pacing, i.e. acclimating to slowness and dealing with it. This is what many Long COVID patients must learn out of necessity. After falling ill with coronavirus, it can at first be difficult to accept. “Because people are continuously amazed by Shinrin Yoku and progress can be seen through repeated practice, it can promote recovery from Long COVID,” notes Hirzel. For those suffering from fatigue, overexertion can lead to relapse. This is why consciously learning to slow down can have a positive effect.
Essential oils from the forest have a positive effect on breathing and the immune system.
Furthermore, forest air is considerably better, which can have a positive effect on the lungs and breathing: the amount of dust in the forest is 90% lower than in the city. That’s not all – forest trees and plants remove terpenes and phytoncides (German). These are plant substances that humans absorb through the skin and by breathing, thereby strengthening the immune system. It is precisely these terpenes, or essential oils, that can have a positive impact on breathing and lung function, thus benefiting Long COVID patients. What’s more, they can normalize or reduce blood pressure.
There’s no right or wrong
One Shinrin Yoku session normally lasts between two and three hours. The number of participants can vary; a suitable group size is four to ten people. During the session, the instructors make use of different techniques, Including perception and breathing exercises, meditations, and Qigong movements. The exercises are sometimes performed individually and sometimes as a group.
Participants are not forced to partake. Similarly, there’s no right or wrong. Christina Hirzel explains through an example: “While one person can find walking over damp moss to be extremely relaxing, another might feel that being barefoot doesn’t sit well with them.” The maxim that listening to oneself is of the highest importance applies here.
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