Forest Therapy: An Immersive Nature Experience
I thought I’d try something new for this blog post; I interviewed my mom, who has been working towards her Forest Therapy certification for the past 6 months. In COVID times, this is a great way to relax and rejuvenate the mind and body through a connection with nature. I had a forest therapy experience earlier this year and was pleasantly surprised with how peaceful and interesting it was. Read on (and check out the infographic!) for more info.
1. What is forest therapy exactly? Can you explain some of the benefits?
Forest therapy or Shinrin Yoku as the Japanese called it, is a practice where we slow down our pace, in a natural environment, engages our 5 senses to be fully present in the moment. The 3 key elements are “practice”, “slowness” and “engages our senses”. It’s a practice because it is not just a one time event. Every time we engage deeply with the natural environment, we will make new discoveries about ourselves and the “more than human world”. A forest therapy session is typically 2–3 hours but the distance covered is about 1–2 km. Unlike a hike, there is no destination. It is more than just a stroll as we consciously immerse ourselves in nature to absorb the sights, smells, tastes and sounds during the practice.
You probably have had some experience where you feel “better” after spending time in nature, as confirmed by scientific research.
In one recent study, 585 young adult Japanese participants reported on their moods after walking for 15 minutes, either in an urban setting or in a forest. The participants walking in a forest experienced less anxiety, hostility, fatigue, confusion, and depressive symptoms, and more vigour and positivity as compared to those walking in an urban setting. Research also shows forests affect our brains. One study in Germany found that people living near to trees (<1km radius) had better “amygdala integrity” — meaning, a brain structure better able to handle stress. These research shows that connecting with the natural environment not only enhances our physical and mental health but changes our brain to improve our resiliency.
For more benefits and related scientific research studies, check out this link.
2. Therapy is often thought about as a prescribed treatment for certain medical conditions — in what ways is forest therapy similar / different?
This is an excellent question. As a guide trained by the ANFT (Association of Nature and Forest Therapy), I merely open the doors, the forest is the therapist. The ANFT framework is a combination of foundational structure and open-ended creativity for the practice to take root. Healing happens when we connect with nature by wondering slowly, noticing our interconnectedness with our world, through a series of “invitations”. Here is one difference from traditional therapies: There are no prescribed activities nor exercises. How you interpret the invitations is completely open and entirely up to you at the moment of the walk. The job of the guide is to work in partnership with the natural environment, to support and bear witness to the relationship that may blossom between the participants and the more than human world. Guides also offer sharing circles periodically during the walk for participants to share what they are noticing or experiencing.
The role of the guide is not to create the experience but rather be the catalyst to it, by offering simple, open and sensory invitations to reconnect with nature.
3. What motivated you to become a certified forest therapist?
Growing up in a concrete jungle means that I did not have much relationship with the forest or natural environment. But having immigrated to Canada since 2001, I have learnt to love the great outdoors through activities such as hiking, camping and skiing. I also started to appreciate the benefits that green spaces gifted us. The obvious one being that trees give out oxygen that we breathe in and they in turn take in the carbon dioxide that we breathe out. Such an intimate connection! Unfortunately, I also noticed the increasing deforestation activities around the world in the name of industrialization and human development. I feel that there is a disconnect between humans and our natural environment. Last year, I chanced upon a video of an ANFT guide in Singapore, my birth country! Youmin Yap is a guide since 2018 and she is interested in reframing Singaporeans’ view of nature and to help its people form a strong relationship without going too far or outside of the country given its limited natural space. I am so inspired by Youmin that I went on to ANFT’s website and found that they offer training courses all over the world! I signed up for a course that was to be held in April 2020 in Vancouver. However, due to the pandemic, it has moved all its training to online. Even though I was disappointed that it can’t be an in-person training, I feel the urgency of the renewal of connection between humans and the natural world and strongly believe this is the right time to be trained as a forest therapy guide. My vision as a guide is to serve as a reminder that we humans are part of nature and we need each other to survive on planet Earth!
4. Is forest therapy suitable for everyone? Who do you encourage to seek out forest therapy?
I mentioned earlier that forest therapy is not hiking nor a physical exercise. Forest therapy promotes slowness in this fast paced world. Hence it is suitable for everyone regardless of physical abilities. We are in the middle of a pandemic and many of us are experiencing anxieties and stress. I encourage everyone to try forest therapy as an additional avenue to promote our overall well being, especially students. The pandemic has drastically changed how education is delivered to our students from elementary to tertiary institutions. While students returned to schools, they have to learn new protocols and methods of learning from online class to modified in-class instructions. While they may adapt to the changes quickly, I believe it still presents tough challenges for our students and they would require additional resources and support. The practice teaches us to slow down, disconnect from our devices and reconnect with nature, of which we are a part! I hope that through forest therapy practice, our youths would see the importance of maintaining a healthy and sustainable natural environment for the well being of everyone living on this planet.
5. How can someone find a forest therapist near them? Can you conduct forest therapy on yourself?
As a start, do reach out to me if you have any questions at all and I’d be glad to help!
You could find a directory of certified guides in the following link: https://www.natureandforesttherapy.org/certified-trails#!directory/map
A session is about 2–3 hours and usually ends with tea and snacks. The guide, who has learnt to listen deeply to the forest, would offer a series of invitations that would evolve during the walk depending on what the forest offers at that moment. The guide also helps to hold a safe space for the participants during the walk.
There is no fixed cost of a walk but guides typically charge $20-$30 per person in a group setting and may cost more for private sessions. Some guides are also offering virtual walks during this time when gatherings are discouraged.
If you would rather enjoy the parks on your own, you could try DIY forest therapy at your local gardens and parks, your own backyard or front garden. If leaving your home is not possible and you have plants or flowers in your home, spend some time connecting with them and you might be amazed at how relaxing that might be. Looking up at the sky and gazing in the clouds and sky is another excellent way of connecting with nature. Do turn off your cell phone for maximum results.
For those who are interested to try out DIY or virtual forest therapy, I have prepared a 5 minute mini forest therapy experience for you.
Before you watch the video, notice how your body feels and your state of mind. Mute your cell phone if possible. After you watch the video, again notice how your body feels and your state of mind.
I hope this insightful interview has sparked curiosity about forest therapy and interest in the benefits it yields. As mentioned above, feel free to email Sock Gee if you have any questions about this article. Thanks for reading!
