During fall, it almost becomes a national past time to appreciate trees, especially in the northeast where they fully display their glory in brilliant techno color. Personally, I'm a year round tree hugger and proud of it! There is something very special about walking in the woods, or entering the silent sanctuary of a pine grove, or just sitting in the cooling shade of a tree's expansive branches. I find trees both majestic yet comforting, elegant yet solid, enduring yet ever changing. When I surround myself with trees, my breathing becomes deeper, all my senses are satiated, and I feel peaceful and grounded.



The Japanese have a special word for this feeling 'shinrinyoku' or 'forest bathing.' What a wonderful poetic image, 'bathing' in the refreshing atmosphere of the woods. The Japanese have also accumulated some hard scientific data on the physical benefits of 'forest bathing.'

In 2004, Japan's National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization conducted an experiment on the healing effects of forests. The study compared the physiological benefits of walking in the city with walking in one of Japan's few remaining old leaf forest. They found concrete evidence that a forest stroll had beneficial effects on blood pressure, heart rate, and the immune system. Their findings also detected an increase in the intracellular anti-cancer proteins. This boost in activity of the natural killer cells that fight cancer sometimes lasted for as long as thirty days. They also discovered that walking in the forest decreased the blood glucose levels of diabetic patients. And that people who even just viewed forest scenery for twenty minutes had a 13% lower blood concentration of the stress hormone cortisol.

While this evidence of the physiological benefits of nature is ground breaking and exciting, the psychological benefits have also gained long over due recognition in recent years with the relatively new field of Eco- Psychology. The basic idea of Eco-Psychology is that humankind's disconnect with nature and its renewing rhythms are a central contributing factor to most emotional woes. The mind which has been shaped by the modern world is readily comforted by the wider natural world from which it evolved.

Eco-psychology has three basic premises. First, there is a deep reciprocal relationship between humans and nature. Second, the separation of humans and nature leads to suffering for both the environment and for people. And third, realizing the connection between humans and nature is mutually healing.

As a Life Coach and Retreat Leader, I have always thought of nature as an essential partner. My preferred method of one on one coaching of "Walk and Talks" is done outdoors. And my retreats are held at eco-resorts, national parks, and arboretums. Being fully present in nature has a wonderful way of centering a person. And the natural world is always full of metaphors that help put life into perspective.

So,the point of all this information is to get outdoors! Enjoy this wonderful autumn weather. You will feel better physically and emotionally if you take the time to reconnect with nature. And you will probably become a better steward for the world because of it.

Copyright (c) 2008 Karin Marcus