When life – and language learning – become a bit stressful, it’s important to take a moment to pause and relax. And where better to do that than in the cool embrace of nature’s beauty?
Gentle walks through spacious woods, the giggling sound of a shy waterfall, chirping birds and soothing greens… The health benefits that can be attributed to the higher oxygen content of forest air are so numerous, that Japanese even has a word for it: shinrin-yoku, from shinrin 森林 (“forest”) – don’t these kanji characters look like miniscule trees? – and yoku 浴 (“bath” or “bathing”), otherwise known as forest bathing.
Indeed, there’s something truly magical happening when we fill our lungs with nature’s revitalizing molecules. It’s now scientifically proven that breathing in the scent of trees can help normalize blood pressure, lower stress levels, improve sleeping patterns and boost creativity.
With autumn fallen, why not take a few walks through nature to really take in the forest atmosphere with all your senses? According to the National Forest Foundation in the United States, “Fall is the perfect season to try forest bathing,” as the sensory experience is heightened during this time of the year.
So next time it rains, don’t stay indoors; soak up the sights, sounds and smells of the great outdoors to experience shinrin-yoku at its best.
Oh, and ditch the umbrella.
6 Spots To Experience Shinrin-yoku Around The World
Although “forest bathing” may conjure up images of bathing in lakes and rivers, you’d be best advised to leave your bathing suit at home. To go forest bathing, simply take a slow walk through the forest with no particular aim in sight other than tuning in to your own senses, letting mother nature do its magic.
There are thousands of places around the world where you can practice shinrin-yoku. Below, we’ve listed six of our favorite spots to try this popular wellness trend this fall.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kyoto, Japan
Well, if we’re going to talk about favorite forest bathing spots, we might as well start with shinrin-yoku’s country of origin, right? A walk through the soaring bamboo stalks will leave you in total gobsmacking awe. On a windy day, prepare for a symphony of whimsical tunes as the bamboo trees knock into each other.
It’s no wonder, then, that Japanese doctors prescribe shinrin-yoku as a means to manage stress and even fight symptoms of depression.
Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
With more than half of the country covered by forests, Costa Rica seems like an obvious choice to experience forest bathing.
Due to its particular atmospheric conditions, this mist-shrouded forest is much cooler in temperature with water dripping from the canopy tops. For an even more amazing experience, walk across a suspension bridge or go on a zip line adventure to truly feel like you’re on top of the world.
The Redwoods, California, USA
Dubbed as the most scenic forest drive in the world, driving through the “Avenue of the Giants,” with its titan redwood trees, is quite an experience.
Here you’ll find trees you can drive through as well as the world’s tallest living tree, Hyperion, measuring 115.9 meters.
The Black Forest, Germany
Cuckoo clocks, red Bollen hats and a scrumptious slice of Black Forest gateau.
The Schwarzwald, as it’s called in German, is the perfect place to enjoy a rigorous walk through picturesque villages and scenic hiking trails, with the dense forest providing a particularly rich olfactive experience for the forest bather.
Wye Valley, Wales, UK
Just an hour’s drive from Cardiff, this untouched piece of woodland with its gorgeous riverside villages, gothic abbey ruins, and breathtaking scenery has touched the heartstrings of many English artists and romantic poets, including William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Perhaps it’s for this reason that the valley also hosts the United Kingdom’s biggest literary festival, the Hay Festival at Hay-on-Wye, a.k.a. the Town of Books.
Waipoua Kauri Forest, North Island, New Zealand
Kauri trees are indigenous to New Zealand’s North Island, which makes Waipoua Forest the perfect spot to go forest bathing in the shadow of the country’s most sacred and iconic trees.
Tāne Mahuta, also known as the God of the Forest, is thought to be between 1,250 and 2,500 years old, and is the largest living kauri tree today. Te Matua Ngahere — the Father of the Forest — is possibly the oldest.
7 Forest-related Expressions From Around The World
Here are some forest-related expressions to mull over while you take that long walk through the forest.
Faire flèche de tout bois (French)
Literal Translation: to make an arrow out of every wood
To use every means possible to achieve an objective. This expression harks back to the Middle Ages when hunters used tree branches to build arrows. There’s also the alternative expression: faire feu de tout bois (“to make fire out of every wood”).
Los árboles no dejan ver el bosque (Spanish)
Literal Translation: the trees don’t let you see the forest
To be so focused on the details that you can’t notice what’s important, i.e. to not see the forest for the trees.
Holz in den Wald tragen (German)
Literal Translation: to carry wood into the forest
To do something that’s completely pointless. A similar expression in English would be “to carry coals to Newcastle.”
Att lova guld och gröna skogar (Swedish)
Literal Translation: to promise gold and green forests
To make extravagant promises that cannot be met. A similar expression in English would be “to promise the moon” or “to promise heaven and earth.”
De appel valt niet ver van de boom (Dutch)
Literal Translation: The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Pretty self-explanatory, since it’s the same in English.
Nie wywołuj wilka z lasu (Polish)
Literal Translation: Don’t call the wolf from the forest
In other words, don’t talk of things you shouldn’t talk about or they may materialize; don’t interfere with a situation or you may regret it, don’t tempt fate. An English equivalent would be “let sleeping dogs lie.”
Estar à sombra da bananeira (Portuguese)
Literal Translation: to sit in the shadow of the banana tree
To be too relaxed and worry-free — as relaxed as sitting under a banana tree with a caipirinha in hand, that is — when you shouldn’t. This expression is also used to call out a lazy, idle person who should be taking on more responsibilities.