Shinrin-yoku (pronounced shin-rin-ya-ku) is a Japanese health term that was developed in the 80’s by Mr. Tomohide Akiyama, with shinrin (meaning forest) and yoku (meaning here bathing or basking in). Shinrin-yoku is forest bathing, and it’s the medicine of simply being in the forest. The idea behind shinrin-yoku is to encourage people to get outside and allow their minds, bodies, and senses to bathe in nature’s greenness as a way of promoting health (and in Mr. Tomohide Akiyama’s case it was a marketing term to promote visiting Japan’s many forests). Various studies have proven that nature has a healing affect – it can calm, reduce stress, and restore weary spirits, so shinrin-yoku is not without basis. There is a vitality and a soothing, restorative feeling that comes from being in a forest or woodland that is almost magical.
To the forest I shall go, to bathe in the wonder and heal my soul. Shinrin-yoku for my health, for in the green I rediscover myself. The vibrating air, the lushness of leaves, the forest it knows and the forest, it sees. ~ Ella
For myself I know that shinrin-yoku is a health practice that I rely upon to keep me centered and to keep my anxiety and highly sensitive, easily overwhelmed self soothed. What do you think of shinrin-yoku?
Namaste ~ Ella
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Lawhimsy 
Love it! Thanks Ella. Like your sensibilities. Darsi
Thank you Darsi and I’m so glad you enjoyed this!