Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese practice that has become an increasingly popular wellness activity worldwide. It’s simple and therapeutic, involving calmly and mindfully spending time in a forest. Whirinaki in New Zealand is best known for this beautiful practice. It’s no wonder, too!
This practice yields ample benefits, costs nothing, and makes you feel lighter. It is one of the best ways to get in tune with yourself and nature while in New Zealand. It is a hassle-free practice that wellness practitioners widely recognise and recommend. So, let’s find out more about Forest Bathing in Whirinaki, shall we?
Everything About Forest Bathing in Whirinaki
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1. What is Forest Bathing?
Forest Bathing is a Japanese practice that induces a process of relaxation. In Japan it is called Shinrin Yoku. In laymen’s terms, it is a method of remaining calm and quiet as you sit amongst the trees and greenery around you. All while you observe nature surrounding you. Breathing deeply during the process helps adults and kids de-stress, boost your health and facilitate a state of wellbeing in the most natural way.
You simply sit in nature, in complete silence and take in all that surrounds you in a calm and immersive manner. You do this while breathing deeply, and being completely present in the forest. It is a slow, meditative process that helps attune your senses to your surroundings. Every sound, sight and smell is even more intense than before. Therefore, you get a full-on forest experience.
Forest Bathing is an art form that instills peace of mind and relaxation for even the busiest of minds. It is a way to disconnect from the busy and technologically invasive world we live in. Thus, you can indulge in this activity and expect complete peace of mind from the moment you begin.
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2. Benefits of Forest Bathing
Forest Bathing has an array of benefits, as you can imagine. It is amazing for both your physical and mental wellbeing. As it calms the mind, the body reacts to the serenity by calming the nervous system. Forest Bathing, or Shinrin Yoku, reduces stress hormone production, such as cortisol. It improves the feeling of happiness by secreting dopamine, you therefore feel more creative, light-hearted, and happy.
Due to the relaxed atmosphere, some major physical benefits include lowering the heart rate and blood pressure. It also helps boost the immune system and helps the body recovery faster from illness. Honestly, who needs doctors when you can go forest bathing in Whirinaki?
These benefits don’t only last while you partake in forest bathing, but actually last about 3 to 5 days afterwards. Don’t let me forget to mention the improved mood that this activity guarantees, or have I already mentioned it? This is the perfect activity if you are prone to anxiety or panic, as the calm and serene atmosphere creates the perfect environment to quiet the mind. Forest bathing yields physical, mental and spiritual benefits for anyone who attempts it. Thus, it ensures you leave feeling more relaxed and calmer than you were before.
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3. Forest Bathing Tips
This is not the most well-known activity, therefore we provide you with some tips, especially for beginners. This is so you can have the most fruitful and enriched experience possible. So, firstly, you have to turn all your devices off. This ensures you give yourself the best chance of relaxing, at being mindful and enjoying a sensory forest-based experience. You have to slow your mind and body to feel the forest seeping deep into your consciousness. Hear nature and feel the healing and harmonising effects. Just open yourself to the experience.
Furthermore, you need to take long and deep breaths via your abdomen. By lengthening the process of exhalation to double the duration of inhalation, you send a message to your body that it can relax and release tension. After this you need to stop and inhale the earthy scents, take-in the vibrant sights and actively listen to the lively sounds. You need to use all your senses for this practice. Acknowledge how your surroundings make you feel. Feel the roughness of the tree branches, the softness of the moss creeping up its roots, the crunch of the soil as you crush it into your palms, embedding the experience into your soul. Enjoy all the little details that mother nature has blessed us so abundantly with.
Keep your eyes open to observe the vibrant hues and pallets that the forest is so full off. This creates a sense of appreciation and gratitude. It is both literally and figuratively an eye-opening experience. A welness term for this is called ‘mindfulness’. Trust me, you will exit the forest feeling more grateful and aware than ever before.
In a nutshell, forest bathing is a meditative and restorative practice. It allows you to be both mindful and grateful so that you can appreciate the little joys in life even more. You can also stay as long as your are able to, there is no cost to this wellness activity. As long as you enjoy the full and complete experience, you will reap the benefits. This is an excellent activity to boost your mental health, because when we are grateful, we are present and content in almost every moment.
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4. Forest Bathing in Whirinaki, New Zealand
One of the best places in the world to go forest bathing is in Whirinaki, New Zealand. You can enjoy this wellness activity by contacting Whirinaki Forest Footsteps to book a forest bathing session for yourself. Bookings can be done via the website. You can choose from various trails and engage in the peace it provides. The Whirinaki Forest is the ideal forest for this activity as it is calm, full of lush greenery and, additionally, it is extremely safe.
Whirinaki forest is the icon of New Zealand ecology. It is the best example of one of the only lowland podocarp forests left on earth. It is renowned for its huge ancient trees, rich biodiversity, rare birdlife and stunning scenery. Therefore it should be your number one option if you want to go forest bathing in Whirinaki.
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Let’s Go Forest Bathing in Whirinaki
This is one of the most fruitful wellness activities you can try for free. You are in for a treat when you decide to partake in this unique activity. You will leave the forest refreshed, renewed and revitalised, I promise! There is no better way to get in tune with your inner being. So, I strongly suggest you make that booking as soon as possible! This is not something you want to miss out on.
