What is the new trend “forest bathing” Shinrin Yoku and the connection to therapeutic fasting

Forest bathing and the connection to therapeutic fasting

Forest bathing is a combination of mindfulness practice and experiencing nature . You immerse yourself with all your senses and literally absorb all the positive energy the forest has to offer. A relaxing stay in the forest, without great physical or mental exertion, is almost a perfect fit for therapeutic fasting.

Find a nice place to simply sit and feel the forest floor, or "hug" the trees, touching them. It's important to breathe deeply, walk slowly, and be intentional, without a goal in mind. Immerse yourself completely in the forest and in yourself.

By spending time in the forest, you support your body during the healing fast and further boost the cleansing process. Because you rediscover your senses during the healing fast, you can approach it with your eyes, ears, and nose open and experience nature anew.

Start with our quick guide to forest bathing:

• Plan at least one to two hours for this, regardless of the time of year.
• Wear weather-appropriate clothing, sturdy shoes and take something to drink with you
• Find a forest near you that is not so crowded and try to leave your mobile phone away or turn it off
• Start your forest bathing with all your senses, open your eyes, enjoy the vastness of the forest and perceive the smell of the forest
• Pay attention to the changes in the forest as you stroll slowly along
• Pause in special places and find your favorite tree that grounds you. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
• End your forest bathing and thank the forest for this time out that it has given you to linger

When you're in the forest, simply being who you are, you perceive your surroundings completely differently, and in conjunction with therapeutic fasting, even more so. As soon as you hear a bird begin to chirp, the leaves rustle, or you feel the soft ground give way, you've arrived in the here and now.

This is mindfulness – you focus on hearing, smelling, and touching with all your senses, consciously perceiving things. This leaves you no time to think about how your workday went or what still needs to be done later or tomorrow. This simple "just" being there often has a relaxing and healing effect on body and mind.

Blood pressure and stress? Reboot with therapeutic fasting and forest bathing

Forest bathing is a way for you to consciously experience yourself and the forest. It's a mindful, non-intentional immersion in the forest atmosphere with all of your senses. "Shinrin Yoku," translated as "forest bathing," originates from Japan and is a recognized stress-reduction method there. In today's society, many people feel rushed and worn out every day. Their heads are full of thoughts, and they're already thinking in the morning about what still needs to be done by the evening. Many of us find it difficult to switch off.

A mindful stay in the forest, such as forest bathing, can help you relax and support your reboot with therapeutic fasting even more effectively. Both are an ideal combination and a rejuvenating treatment for your body. Many metabolic processes are activated (autophagy), allowing you to get rid of old baggage, give your body time to regenerate, and enhance the reboot with therapeutic fasting.

It's scientifically proven that forest bathing relaxes the body through increased activity of the parasympathetic nervous system. Stress is reduced, and the activity of the sympathetic nervous system decreases. Stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline decrease. A reduction in blood pressure is possible after 15 minutes in the forest. The reduction after one day of forest bathing can last up to five days.

The positive properties of the forest for our health

The positive properties have been researched by medical professionals. The president of the Japanese Society for Forest Medicine, Prof. Dr. Qing Li, teaches and researches at the Nippon Medical School in Tokyo. He has conducted several scientific studies on the effects of spending several hours in the forest. Meanwhile, there are also many studies by other medical professionals that have proven the healing effects of the forest . Spending several hours mindfully and consciously in the forest can have the following effects on your body, among others:

• Lowering blood pressure
• Supports metabolism
• Lowering blood sugar levels
• Support of the immune system
• Promoting concentration
• General mood improvement
• Promoting well-being
• Stress reduction

The "healing trio" of the forest

Terpenes

Terpenes are the main component in plants that produce essential oils. Trees and plants communicate with each other through these messenger substances. We absorb them through the air. They are particularly abundant after rain or fog. The forest smells particularly strong after rain. Therefore, forest bathing is especially effective even in "bad weather." Your immune system will especially thank you.

Microorganisms

Microorganisms are found in the soil and are swirled into the air. You breathe them in during your mindful walk, and your body reacts to this "friendly" stimulus.

Anions

Anions are negatively charged oxygen particles. These stimulate the cilia in the lungs to actively move. This accelerates the uptake of oxygen into the blood and the removal of carbon dioxide and foreign particles such as dust.

Mind Body Medicine and Fasting as a Sustainable Time Out