Nature is beautiful, powerful, and plentiful. Enamored with the beauty of Colorado, I moved there in 2004. I was excited to camp, hike, and ski in those glorious Rocky Mountains. I had all sorts of fun adventuring around the state, meeting new friends, and trying new things. The mountains brought me joy and happiness, “how lucky I am” would be a motto I thought of often for many years in Boulder Colorado.
As the years went on, I found myself becoming busier with domestic chores, a 9-5 job, juggling relationships, and finding balance between all the things. Getting outside and enjoying the same activities I once had were not always available. Recently, I was having a rough start to my day that I could not snap out of, so I decided to take a drive into the mountains. I went on a walk along a rushing creek for a couple of hours, forest bathing. The transformation I felt within my body, my soul was incredible. Being in touch with nature, the sounds, the smells, the peace was extremely supportive to regulating my nervous system. It was such a beautiful reminder to know that nature supports us all. This may be in the form of having fun and enjoying outdoor activities, and it also may show up in a quieter way.
Forest bathing is a Japanese practice coined in the 1980’s. This is not just a “hike”, it is a mindful immersion in nature using all five senses to connect ourselves with the natural world. Practicing for even twenty minutes may lower our cortisol levels, our stress hormones. Forest bathing is also linked to reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and fatigue, while increasing focus and strength. It is truly incredible the ability we have to heal and to regulate our bodies when we submerge ourselves into nature in a mindful way.