Take a Forest Bath

There is a new trend afoot called Forest Bathing (shinrin-yoku) It involves no water, no showers, no bathing and no time in the spa. Instead Forest Bathing is a traditional Japanese ritual that takes you on a short sensory stroll through a beautiful forest. The mind focuses on the sights, smells and sounds and apparently the benefits are plentiful as it produces hormones that help control obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and more.
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What's most striking about Forest Bathing is the health benefits of simply breathing in the essential oils produced by the trees. Known as phytocides, Forest Bathers can reduce stress, anxiety, depression, anger and restlessness. However it’s cautioned that although the practice is fairly simple, you need to put away your phone and simply live in the space of the trees. It's the trees, flowers, moss, birds and fish that create the beautiful sounds and smells of wildlife, the earth and the vegetation around you. Interesting concept if one can distract themselves long enough to get out into the forest.