In this video I talk about the Japanese art of Shinrin-Yoku, or “forest bathing” and how incorporating this practice into your routine can set you up for improved mental health and stress management.
Hello, everybody, my name is Dr. Talia Marcheggiani and I’m recording to you guys from the Humber River in Toronto. It’s December 24th, so it’s Christmas Eve Day and I’m just walking my dog, Coco, and I just wanted to make a quick video to talk to you guys about the benefits of something called Forest Bathing.
So, Forest Bathing is a concept that originated in Japan. In Japanese it’s called, and I’m going to butcher this pronunciation: “Shinrin-yoku”. And this is a practice to relieve stress, which is taken on by the Japanese and is also something that’s gaining more recognition in Western society as well.
One of the theories of the prevalence of chronic stress and symptoms like adrenal fatigue and the hormone dysregulation that comes with that and the mental health issues that come with that is our disconnection from nature. And, so, taking some time—and I recognize sometimes just starting with an hour a week, but optimally three hours a week, of time where you’re just slowly exploring nature and walking in a natural setting such as this. And this is just near Old Mill station in Toronto, and there’s many places like this if you look at Discovery Walks Toronto online you could find tons of really cool places to explore that are a TTC ride away.
And, so, being in a natural setting decreases the stress hormone cortisol as well as increases our ability to get some physical activity. The reason I’m recording it now in December is because a lot of my patients will tell me that they’re really active in the summer months, but when it comes to winter, or when winter months set in, they tend to stay indoors. And the temperature regulation that comes with getting outside, put on a toque, put on a park and some water-proof boots—these are not the best—put on some water-proof boots, a toque, parka, some mittens, and get outside. It helps our body deal with the cold, the decrease in temperature and it can increase our thyroid and our immune system. So, actually getting outside, even when you don’t really want and your intuition is telling you to stay indoors, is actually a good idea for your immune system.
And the stress that comes with the holiday season and this time of year, getting outside becomes more important than ever. So being in a natural setting, in the trees, increases the amount of negative ions that you’re surrounded by, and so when we’re surrounded by technology or are in indoors, stressful environments, there are more positive ions.
Being outside increases your serotonin and oxytocin levels. So, those are your feel-good hormones and it decreases your cortisol. So I just wanted to say hi to everybody and to maybe inspire some of you go for a walk, either today or Christmas Day, and get some Shrinrin-yoku, some much-needed forest bathing.
Having a dog obviously helps. “Coco, Coco, Hey! Look!” Having a dog obviously helps because you’re forced to get outside but even just taking yourself, your kids, your family out, is a great thing to do. Get some snowshoes on, some cross-country skiis, or just some water-proof boots and head out onto the trails.
Happy Holidays. My name is Dr. Talia Marcheggiani and I hope to see you guys outside.
