- Author: Launa Herrmann
Several mornings ago I sat outside enjoying the chatter of quail scurrying along the fence top. As I savored my cup of coffee and perused the newspaper, an article title caught my attention. I wondered if the topic was rain. It wasn't.
Instead the text was about the trendy practice of “forest bathing” — “immersing yourself” in the woods or in nature. Nowadays I guess lots of people pay lots of money for a quarter mile guided walk over three hours in duration just so they can “forest bathe.”
During this mindful meditative walk, you follow a forest therapist who points the way. Meanwhile you absorb the surroundings — noticing tree bark, feeling wind, hearing sounds and paying attention to each rock on the path. In return for your financial investment of up to $160, you get something that's good for you — a lower heart rate and blood pressure reading along with less stress.
Common sense tells me that we already know that engaging with greenery is good for us psychologically, mentally, physically and spiritually. I mean, where have these bathers been all their lives? Sequestered in a windowless basement?
Frankly speaking, I'm so glad I grew up outside — down and dirty making mud pies, poking sticks into ant holes, eating sour grass and chasing lizards. Immersing myself in nature is not something I purposely do or pay someone for, but part of who I grew up to be. An outdoor girl to the core. Someone who plays with pots and talks to plants.
In California, we gardeners get it. We get the sheer amazement that anything at all survives the summer's heat. We get the simple joy of spring seeds sprouting through soil. And that's probably why most of us can't wait to inhale the aroma of dusty leaves washed clean by fall's first shower. Immersed? Already I'm on tiptoes counting clouds, anticipating rainbows, ready to rain dance. I can almost hear the plop, pitter-patter, splash-splatter. And I imagine you can too.