Forest Bathing and Grounding

There’s something magical about the boreal forest. The way that everything is interconnected and working harmoniously with one another. I’m in my private little happy place sitting on spongy mosses under a canopy of spruce and fir. Breathing is easier, my thoughts are clearer and my body re-energized after just a couple of hours spent surrounded by nature. I always assumed that these benefits were personal to me. I had yet to be introduced to the therapies of forest bathing and grounding.

Then I saw a social media post from a friend who, like me, suffers from MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities).

A view of a forest pathway. Lush green moss flank the path and the sunlight filters through tall coniferous trees.

After an exposure to heavily fragranced products at a health trade show, she posted on social media that she needed to “go up in the woods” for some much needed detoxification. Hmm. Maybe this is not only my personal first aid practice. I knew that I needed to delve deeper. Is there something about the forest that can bring about improvements in health and quality of life of people who are struggling with chronic illness?

Meet Joan

Joan Dohey is a former educator turned wellness practitioner. Her personal health struggles with MCS and lack of support in the mainstream medical community pushed her to explore alternative health practices.

Not only did she learn how to take charge of her own health on this quest but she now helps others on their wellness journey through therapies at her clinic, “Time To Heal“. She offers a wide variety of modalities that address the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health of her clients.

She asserts that the forest – and trees in particular- emit a healing energy. This energy is capable of bringing a sense of peace, calm and feelings of connectedness.

She has incorporated this idea into her own health practice by setting up a treatment space in the oasis of her backyard under the canopy of a mature conifer. Her clients receive treatment from a wide range of therapies while reaping the benefits of this natural environment.

A person practicing forest bathing. A shot of a close up of a person's bare hand placed on a green, soft, spongy moss-covered tree trunk.

“Every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
John Muir

What is forest bathing?

My first web search on forest therapy led me to an article in National Geographic. According to author Sunny Fitzgerald, the term Shinrin-yoku emerged in the 1980s in Japan. “Taking in the forest atmosphere” (or now coined as “forest bathing”) was a psychological and physiological eco-therapy initiative to help people reconnect with nature.

The hope was to offset negative effects of overworking while encouraging residents to appreciate and protect Japan’s natural areas. The reasoning being, if people could destress in a natural environment, they would be less susceptible to stress-related health problems.

Two people participating in a forest bathing hike. The image shows a back-on view of a woman descending a rugged boreal path. She is wearing a short sleeved light pink t-shirt and dark pants, hiking sneakers and a dark pink backpack. There are lush green short trees and shrubs to her right and large rocks to her left. Another hiker is visible farther down the path. They are wearing a red shirt and black backpack and a white baseball cap.

The Five-Senses approach of Shinrin-yoku

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Japan developed the healing technique of Shinrin-yoku based on a five-senses approach. When a person interacts with a forest environment using their five senses: vision, smell, hearing, touch and taste, a number of mechanisms are activated within the body. And studies into this interaction with nature have proven both physiological and psychological health benefits.

The image shows a child's bare legs and feet grounding during a forest bathing session. They are standing on a wet, green moss covered rock bed in the middle of a shallow forest stream. There are forest plants growing in the stream and in the foreground and background.

Benefits of breathing forest air

Anyone who spends time in the woods can attest to the forest air being different. It’s fresh. It’s cool and invigorating. And much easier to breathe. This could be due to the lack of industrial development in boreal areas which means less air pollution.

Also, trees and plants are natural air purifiers, absorbing carbon dioxide and producing clean oxygen. That in itself is enough to be of benefit but studies have shown that there is more at play here.

Close up shot of spruce branch with raindrops dangling from the evergreen needles. The out-of-focus background has blurred and muted green, grey and golden tones.

The forest’s natural aroma-therapy has been proven to have significant health benefits. Trees omit phytoncides which are antimicrobial organic compounds such as α-pinene and limonene. These specific compounds have been linked to improvement in human immune function.

When people breathe in these natural chemicals, the body responds by producing specialized white blood cells called killer cells. These killer cells attack virus and tumor infected cells.

What is grounding or earthing?

Interacting with the earth through touch has also proven beneficial to our health. The earth’s surface is teeming with negatively charged electrons, which are believed to have antioxidant effects when in direct contact with the body. Grounding, also known as earthing, is the practice of connecting with the earth’s energy by standing barefoot on grass, dirt or sand.

By connecting with the earth’s energy, proponents of grounding believe that we neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation, which can lead to a variety of health benefits.

A person grounding or earthing during a forest bathing session. The image shows a close up shot of a pair of bare feet standing on a soft, green moss covered tree stump. There are dried brown leaves on either side of the trunk. There are also other boreal plants in the shot. One flowering plant is between the toes on the foot.

Studies have shown that grounding can increase the body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep, and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. In addition, grounding has been found to improve immune system function and promote cardiovascular health.

Practicing forest bathing

Forest therapy is catching on in North America and even in my neck-of-the-woods. Tina White from Nature Minded is a certified forest bathing guide practicing in St. John’s Newfoundland, Canada.

White recognized the health benefits of forest bathing early on through her own experience. She decided to get formal training so that she could most effectively share these experiences with others. After completing an in-person immersion program with the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy in Ontario, White offers guided walks in the forested trails on the island.

Aside from the exercise one gets from hiking, Tina asserts that there are multiple mental health benefits from this immersion with nature. The experience of forest bathing lowers stress and brings about a sense of calm and connectedness with one’s surroundings. This translates into effects of increased mental clarity and a reduction in anxiety and depression.

An image of a person participating in forest bathing and grounding. An outstretched arm reaches across the photo from the left. The hand is touching a moss covered tree trunk. The light is illuminating all the lush green foliage in the shot.

Tips for having a beneficial forest bathing experience:

Go to a familiar wooded area to ensure you don’t get lost. Let others know where you will be going and when to expect you back in case of an emergency. If there is a certified forest bathing guide in your area, sign up for an introduction session to get used to the location.
Power down electronics like cameras and cellphones or leave technology at home. To get the most out of a forest bathing session it is best to experience nature without the distraction of screens.
Stop on occasion to remove footwear and enable direct contact between your body and the earth to reap the benefits from grounding. This can be done while standing or sitting down.
Notice the sounds, the smells, the textures of the trees and plants around you.
Slow down and take your time. While there is no time limit to an experience, proponents of forest bathing suggest to aim for at least an hour of immersion to experience benefits. The more the therapy is practiced, the more benefit to one’s physical and psychological well being.

Additional considerations

If environmental allergies or asthma are a concern, you need to find an area and time of the year that will best support your needs. For instance, if certain tree or plant pollens are triggers, consult a pollen forecast to determine when the peak times of the year are and avoid forest bathing at those times of the season.

Mold may be more problematic during the late fall and early spring months when there is a lot of decaying plant matter and wetter conditions.

It is best to consult with your allergist or health care provider before practicing any new therapies.

A close up image of a forest floor during a forest bathing session. The shot contains various boreal plants of varying green hues. There are wet pinecones and sticks interspersed. Most of which are out of focus. A solitary white mushroom is crisp and in the center of the shot.

The take-away

According to Gaétan Chevalier, PhD “The research done to date supports the concept that grounding or earthing the human body may be an essential element in the health equation along with sunshine, clean air and water, nutritious food, and physical activity.”

I can attest to the benefits of earthing and forest bathing on a personal level. I’ve noticed that I always feel my best after I have been up in the woods for a while with my feet in the moss.

Things just seem to make sense when I am there. I’m not on the outside, observing as a spectator. I feel rooted to my surroundings and included in the cycle of life that thrives there. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to be close to nature and hope that it may help others as well.