Enjoy the forest
I will never forget driving into Yosemite, turning a corner, and suddenly even from the paved road, you could smell the forest.
Forest bathing, immerses the five senses in nature. sound, smell, sight, touch, and taste.
So few things in the world stimulate our minds and bodies like nature does. It can soothe us, alleviate our stress, and put us in a better mood. It can reduce blood pressure, improve concentration and memory, boost the immune system, and much more.
Fresh air, and the sound of trees swaying and birds singing. The aroma of flowers and plants gently flowing in the air, and the smell of soil. Even walking just a bit, you can feel that all five of your senses are being stimulated.
Sound.
The calming sounds of nature can be very relaxing and are often used to relieve stress. Babbling brooks, songbirds singing, a frog croaking, or rainfall are examples of sounds which can be quite soothing to us. Listen to the wind in the trees. Listen to the wind in the tall grass. Listen and you'll hear the waterfall before you see it. Listen to the silence.
Smell. Take in nature’s scent.
Nature is full of smells that lift our mood, relax us, or make us feel grounded.
The woody scents, warm, earthy and reassuring of bark, moss, wood oils such as Sandalwood, Rosewood, Agarwood, Birch, and Cedar. Even patchouli (a root) and vetiver (leaves) are fragrant and intoxicating. You can even smell the earth beneath your feet.
The scent of pine has shown to lower depression and anxiety, while lavender is shown to relax us. If we’re trying to boost our mood, the smell of summer air (leaf alcohol) has been associated with happiness.
Sight. View nature’s wonder
Nature is captivating, and we benefit so much from taking in its beauty. When we view natural landscapes, it can boost our mood and make us feel better emotionally.
Think back to your favorite vista; whether it’s a waterfall, a noisy stream, a lookout, or an incredible sunset.
Touch. Touching nature can also play with our emotions.
Wading barefoot through a cold stream or feeling the wind on our face gives us a sense of relaxation.
Feel a rock, tree bark, a carpet of moss, feathery ferns, pine needles, a mushroom, lichen or algae, water in the stream, a slug or a caterpillar. Ponderosa cones feel prickly and jeffrey cones do not.
Time spent under a forest canopy can be healing. We can feel more connected and grounded.
I think what’s fascinating is that various creatures - all being different, are living together. Plants grow with respect to one another so as not to disturb each other. Early spring is when the leaves fall from broadleaved evergreen trees. Each leaf has its own color and shape, none of them being the same.
Letting the warmth of the sun wash over us can give us a sense of calm.
Nature’s tastes.
Taste the water in the spring, flower petals, did you know that jewelweed seeds taste like walnuts? In the west, taste yerba santa leaves, miners lettuce, and wild rose hips after they start to shrivel a little. Does the water in all of the drinking fountains of the park taste the same? Can you taste the smell in the air? Does your trail mix taste better on Oak Mountain or on Pine Mountain? Always be careful what you taste: it might be poisonous.
Food flavors affect our mood and wake up our brains. Think s’mores around a campfire . Happy memories!
Enjoy the forest!