Forest Bathing: Connecting with Nature Through All Senses

Ferris Street Forest and Wetland Nature Preserve
J. Bradford

WRITTEN BY: ELLEN STERNS, FUND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

I could hear the poplars shaking their leaves. Even in the slightest breeze, you could mistake the sound for a rushing stream nearby. With a big breath of fresh air came sweet smells of pine and wildflowers. The fragrance filled my mouth and nose. It hadn’t rained in days and the earth was dry to the touch. The yellowed moss looked back at me as if it was in desperate need of a drink. Nature had entered my body through all five senses. That’s the idea of Forest Bathing, or 'Shinrin Yoku', traditionally a Japanese practice of frequenting the forest to de-stress, can improve health, and access our spiritual being.

It was Friday afternoon at the Ferris Street Forest and Wetland Nature Preserve, about a ten-minute drive from downtown Fredericton. My colleagues at the Nature Trust of New Brunswick, Cheyenne and Renata, lay out on either side of me under a ginormous white pine. Dr. Monika Stelzl, professor at St. Thomas University and our forest bathing guide, knelt before us, ready to lead us through what would be the most peace and tranquility I had felt in a long time.

Ferris Street Forest and Wetland Nature Preserve

The introduction of Covid-19, political unrest, and fear into my life had left me feeling sad and anxious. Since March I have spent my weeks sitting inside my small apartment, desperate for an excuse to go to a class, go into the office, to feel some sense of normalcy.

For what seemed to be the first time in months, I let everything out in one big breath. This was how my two-and-a-half-hour session began. A big breath in, a big breath out, and before I knew it, the session was over. With my eyes closed, I saw more clearly than ever. My muscles started to relax, the weight of my body seemed lighter, and as I opened my eyes, my attention shifted to the forest floor. Brand new saplings consisting of maple, poplar and pine, stretching up amongst dead foliage. It seemed metaphorical in a way. Change is among us.

Ferris Street Forest and Wetland Nature Preserve
J.Bradford

We spent the afternoon hugging trees, smelling flowers, and listening to a symphony of birds that had returned home for the warm summer months. As our experience ended, Monika served tea made from white pine needles, small chocolate cookies and red, yellow, and orange bell peppers. We thanked the forest individually as we sat around its last gift, a white lady slipper, propped up as if we had picked it and placed it in a vase on the dinner table.

Tears filled our eyes as we shared our own thoughts and experiences these last few months. The forest had brought us together, opened us up, and healed our stressed and aching bodies. The whispering wind reminded us that there was a reason for all of this. Something must change, and we will wait with anticipation.

To my surprise, I learned that Forest Bathing is not just for those who are physically or mentally attached to civilization. Forest bathing benefits everyone. It is for adventurers, explorers, and even those who get out on a hike every weekend. These people may exist in nature, but are they truly present? Take a moment and look around. Breathe in, breathe out. Look up, taste the sweet air on your tongue. Look down, feel and touch, smell the leaves between your fingertips. Feel the full effects of your connection with nature through all senses.

The practice of Forest Bathing is known to alleviate stress which can result in a reduction of headaches, heart problems, asthma, and diabetes. It also reminds us to take moments to breathe, relax, and recognize the natural beauty around us. By connecting with the forest through all senses, you begin to see the strength and resilience of our natural world and the significant role it plays in our everyday lives.

As I lay on my back, a flock of birds nearby erupted in symphony. I felt inspired.

I, nor you, have the ability to Conserve Y(our) New Brunswick alone, but together, we have the power to protect these sacred natural spaces that bring us peace and joy, forever.

Thank you to Dr. Monica Stezl for leading the Forest Bathing exercise with Nature Trust staff, and guiding us to experience nature’s peace and tranquility in a much more visceral form.

Ferris Street Forest and Wetland Nature Preserve
J.Bradford