Forest swimming sans bathing attire
In the picturesque town of Bad Doberan, a unique healing forest has been established, focusing primarily on promoting mental health. This healing forest, a significant source of strength, is backed by growing scientific studies and the expertise of nature and mindfulness trainer, Kristin Kurzhals.
Kurzhals, who started her business "Naturally outside" last year, offers forest bathing and nature coaching in Rostock and the surrounding area. She believes in bringing nature and people closer together, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world.
Forest bathing, also known as shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese practice that encourages mindful immersion in a forest or natural wooded environment. Participants engage their senses, slowing down to observe and connect with nature, promoting relaxation and presence.
Mental health benefits of forest bathing are substantial. It aids in reducing stress hormones, such as cortisol, lowering anxiety and promoting a calm, tranquil state. It also improves mood and relieves symptoms of depression by increasing positive feelings and reducing negative ones like tension, anger, and fatigue.
Moreover, forest bathing enhances mental clarity, focus, and cognitive function, supporting creativity and attention restoration, offering a break from digital overload. This is termed attention restoration theory, which suggests that spending time in nature helps recover depleted attention capacity, improving emotional well-being.
Physical health benefits are equally significant. Forest bathing boosts immune function by inhaling trees' natural antimicrobial compounds, phytoncides. This increases activity and number of natural killer (NK) immune cells, which fight infections and tumors, strengthening the body's immune defenses.
Additionally, forest bathing supports cardiovascular health by regulating cardiovascular function and reducing hypertension risk. Other reported benefits include wound repair, slowed heart rate, improved digestion, and possibly reduced risk of dementia and increased life expectancy.
Minister of Health, Stefanie Drese (SPD), acknowledges forests' positive influence on various diseases, including respiratory, cardiovascular, oncological, orthopedic, neurological, and psychosomatic complaints. The healing forest in Bad Doberan acts both rehabilitatively and preventively, according to Drese.
Kurzhals' forest bathing courses, lasting approximately one and a half hours, take place in the Fahrenholzer Holz near Ziesendorf south of Rostock. During these sessions, participants are encouraged to touch leaves and tree bark, smell damp earth, feel the forest floor with bare feet, taste forest berries, and close their eyes and listen to the silence.
Kurzhals emphasizes that the forest does not promise healing, even if it is called a healing forest. However, she notes that the more consciously one interacts with it, the more healing it can be. Forest bathing is not about swimming but about immersing oneself in nature, letting go, taking in the forest with all senses, and promoting one's health.
For those interested in experiencing the healing power of forest bathing, more information about Kurzhals' course offerings can be found on her website www.kristinkurzhals.de. Kurzhals turns off her phone during her forest bathing courses to promote deep breathing, coming to rest, gaining strength, and rediscovering access to oneself.
In conclusion, forest bathing is a scientifically supported therapy that complements conventional medical and mental health treatments. It offers significant mental health improvements, including stress relief, mood enhancement, and cognitive benefits, as well as physical health gains, such as immune boost, cardiovascular support. Embrace the healing power of nature and embark on a mindful journey towards improved health and well-being.
- In addition to its mental health advantages, forest bathing also offers physical health benefits, such as boosting immune function by inhaling trees' natural antimicrobial compounds called phytoncides.
- Integrating forest bathing into a lifestyle, backed by growing scientific studies and supported by experts like Kristin Kurzhals, can provide holistic treatments for home-and-garden environments, promoting both mental-health and physical well-being.
- Forest bathing, practiced mindfully within healing forests like the one in Bad Doberan, supports health-and-wellness by reducing stress hormones, enhancing mental clarity, focus, and cognitive function, and boosting the immune system through the intake of phytoncides.
