What Is Forest Therapy?
Forest Therapy is a research-based framework for supporting healing and wellness through immersion in forests and other natural environments. Forest Therapy originated as Shinrin-Yoku, or 森林翼 - the Japanese characters translate to forest and woods and taking them all in. It's not about distance or endurance. It's about slowing down and noticing; being mindful and connecting.
Health benefits of regular forest therapy* immersion may include:
Boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body's Natural Killer (NK) cells.
Reduced blood pressure
Reduced stress
Improved mood
Increased ability to focus, even in children with ADHD
Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness
Increased energy level
Improved sleep
Deeper and clearer intuition
Increased flow of energy
Expect a forest walk to last about 2-1/2 to 3 hours along gentle trails or less-traveled paths, by streams or lakes; a forest walk may even take place at an arboretum or university campus.
*from http://www.shinrin-yoku.org/shinrin-yoku.html
Health benefits of regular forest therapy* immersion may include:
Boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body's Natural Killer (NK) cells.
Reduced blood pressure
Reduced stress
Improved mood
Increased ability to focus, even in children with ADHD
Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness
Increased energy level
Improved sleep
Deeper and clearer intuition
Increased flow of energy
Expect a forest walk to last about 2-1/2 to 3 hours along gentle trails or less-traveled paths, by streams or lakes; a forest walk may even take place at an arboretum or university campus.
*from http://www.shinrin-yoku.org/shinrin-yoku.html
Click to learn more:
What are the benefits of being led on a walk?
It's a great question because many of us spend a lot of time in arboretums, parks, preserves, nature centers or in the wild, and we've been doing it for years.
Our instinct is to go into the natural world when we're stressed, overwhelmed, have a health issue or a personal question that requires an answer, or simply desire an open space with fresh air. Our instincts are telling us that we already know that nature is a healing, healthy place to be!
And here's what I know: when we are in nature, we are regenerated, and there's medical evidence to back that up. So, when I work with people in nature, even the lightest touch can have an impact.
But why pay for a guided walk? That's a question that also comes up frequently.
It's like asking a yoga teacher, "Why would I pay that just to stretch?" or asking a meditation teacher, "Why would I pay you to sit still and think about nothing?"
While all these practices, including forest therapy, can be done by you on your own, there is power and belonging in community and having a trained, certified leader to guide the experience only deepens it. I've created lots of resources for people to learn about forest therapy; what it is and isn't, and yet for some, there's only a knee-jerk reaction that there's a cost to this service. So, it bears repeating and more sharing because I value this work I do as a partnership with all who are interested in being closer to the natural world.
Forest Therapy isn't just a walk; it isn't just a hike. It's a deep experience with nature in community with others. It is a practice. You will notice things you normally wouldn't notice and receive the benefit of a guide who can talk about the plants, trees, and life around you. I am also a Master Naturalist and lead walks for the Sierra Club. The invitations that are presented in a forest therapy walk open the senses, slow you down and get you ready to receive what the forest, or arboretum, has to offer and inform. The tea ceremony at the end of every walk, further strengthens the community with something foraged, or could-have-been-foraged (I don't forage in arboretums). Could you do this on your own? Perhaps. Will you? Perhaps not.
Also of note, when walks are held in arboretums, a generous percent of the fees are donated back to the arboretum for their trust funds, which restore and repair the arboretum and its structures, not to pay the electric bill, so walking with me and LI Forest Walks, is, in part, a donation to our history and the legacy of those who came before us, like the Bayard Cuttings, the Goulds, the Guggenheims, and the Baileys. Arboretums choose to add forest therapy to their offerings because they understand that it is different than anything else they offer: walks, tours, etc.
Lastly, I am the first to say that if anyone finds my fee a hardship to please reach out to me. All this and more is available to anyone who chooses to be curious about this practice.
May the forest be with all of us, as a beautiful, regenerative example of how life sustains itself. The natural world needs us as much as we need it! Blessings to all! Linda
Our instinct is to go into the natural world when we're stressed, overwhelmed, have a health issue or a personal question that requires an answer, or simply desire an open space with fresh air. Our instincts are telling us that we already know that nature is a healing, healthy place to be!
And here's what I know: when we are in nature, we are regenerated, and there's medical evidence to back that up. So, when I work with people in nature, even the lightest touch can have an impact.
But why pay for a guided walk? That's a question that also comes up frequently.
It's like asking a yoga teacher, "Why would I pay that just to stretch?" or asking a meditation teacher, "Why would I pay you to sit still and think about nothing?"
While all these practices, including forest therapy, can be done by you on your own, there is power and belonging in community and having a trained, certified leader to guide the experience only deepens it. I've created lots of resources for people to learn about forest therapy; what it is and isn't, and yet for some, there's only a knee-jerk reaction that there's a cost to this service. So, it bears repeating and more sharing because I value this work I do as a partnership with all who are interested in being closer to the natural world.
Forest Therapy isn't just a walk; it isn't just a hike. It's a deep experience with nature in community with others. It is a practice. You will notice things you normally wouldn't notice and receive the benefit of a guide who can talk about the plants, trees, and life around you. I am also a Master Naturalist and lead walks for the Sierra Club. The invitations that are presented in a forest therapy walk open the senses, slow you down and get you ready to receive what the forest, or arboretum, has to offer and inform. The tea ceremony at the end of every walk, further strengthens the community with something foraged, or could-have-been-foraged (I don't forage in arboretums). Could you do this on your own? Perhaps. Will you? Perhaps not.
Also of note, when walks are held in arboretums, a generous percent of the fees are donated back to the arboretum for their trust funds, which restore and repair the arboretum and its structures, not to pay the electric bill, so walking with me and LI Forest Walks, is, in part, a donation to our history and the legacy of those who came before us, like the Bayard Cuttings, the Goulds, the Guggenheims, and the Baileys. Arboretums choose to add forest therapy to their offerings because they understand that it is different than anything else they offer: walks, tours, etc.
Lastly, I am the first to say that if anyone finds my fee a hardship to please reach out to me. All this and more is available to anyone who chooses to be curious about this practice.
May the forest be with all of us, as a beautiful, regenerative example of how life sustains itself. The natural world needs us as much as we need it! Blessings to all! Linda
THE ANFT WAY: A small book about forest therapy through the eyes of a certified guide: thanks to M. Amos Clifford, my teacher, and Ben Page, my colleague, for this free share: https://view.joomag.com/the-anft-way-of-forest-therapy-the-anft-way-of-forest-therapy/0822982001561584510?short
Now that you know, ask yourself the question, "why aren't I out in nature today?"
What to expect What to bring How to prepare
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Your guide offers an experience through a series of invitations that open the senses, slow us down and prepare us to reconnect with the forest, ourselves and others.
Your experience will always be personal and unique to you. Put your cameras away during the walk; cell phones, too, or set them to 'silent'. |
It's important that the walk is enjoyable.
Bring what you need to be comfortable: some water, sturdy shoes; layers. Bring a hat, if you're sun-sensitive. A natural insect repellent is a must during the warmer months. Your guide provides a camping stool or mat for sitting in our circles and during colder months, will even have hand and toe warmers available. |
Even though we walk on trails, safety is always a concern. Mosquitoes, ticks and poison ivy are commonplace concerns no matter where we walk.
There are no native venomous snakes on Long Island. Learn more about mosquitoes, ticks and poison ivy by clicking on each one. |
