We live in a wired world. The phones and computers we use all day link us to work, the news and social circles in ways that humans have never previously experienced. We spend less time outdoors and more time looking at screens. People are reporting increased feelings of loneliness, even though we are connected around the clock.

Is there a remedy for this? The solution may sound too simple to be real … take a forest bath! This is not a bath involving suds and hot water; it’s a metaphor for surrounding yourself with the sights and sounds of nature. The term shinrin-yoku (forest bathing or taking in the forest atmosphere) was coined in Japan in the 1980s to encourage people to counteract the effects of stress and burnout by engaging with nature.

And it works! Studies show that taking a break to connect with nature can help:

• Improve cognitive development in children

• Improve focus during repetitive tasks

• Increase a sense of well-being and contentment

• Improve mood

You don’t have to make a daily trek to the wilderness to reap the benefits of a forest bath. Taking a quick walk outside will help. But if you have time, taking a walk by a lake or under cover of the forest can help relieve the symptoms of stress and improve your mood. Researchers in Japan found that a forest walk was better at reducing stress hormones and blood pressure than a walk in town.

So, if you need a mood boost or a stress buster, silence your phone and try one of these tips to connect with nature:

• Invite a friend to join you on a walk or bike ride at a local park.

• If you have a dog, take them to a park for their daily walk – don’t forget their leash!

• Take your workout out-of-doors.

• Find a green space on your work commute route and make visiting it part of your daily routine.

Many communities have city and county parks with trails. When you’re feeling low, lift your mood by taking time to explore a park near you.

Sources: 
American Psychological Association
National Geographic
Psychiatry.org