Forest Bathing – why we all need to soak up more nature.

Forest Bathing – why we all need to soak up more nature.

forest bathing

There are huge physical benefits backed by a multitude of studies such as: 

 - improved sleep quality 

- lowered blood pressure 

- boosts your immune system

One of the simplest things we can do to help manage our stress is to get outside, ideally in to an open, green and leafy space. Leave behind our distractions, yes including phones, slow down a little and soak up the surroundings.

Developed in the 1980s, the Japanese practice of ‘Shinrin-yoku’, or ‘forest bathing’, was developed as a way to address burn out of Japanese workers. An ancient form of meditation, the method of forest bathing is essentially taking time to relax amongst the trees. 

With the increasing interest in finding natural stress solutions supported with evidence-based medicine, it’s worth taking a look at what the studies have shown.

Research has been conducted in 24 forests across Japan examining the relationship between humans and nature and the health benefits of spending time amongst trees versus urban settings. So convincing were the results it has become a key pillar of preventative health care and healing in Japanese medicine.

Its' practice is rapidly spreading to western culture thanks to the increasingly busy lives we lead. 

The benefits of forest bathing:

Invigorating

For a generation that has ‘stopped moving’, forest bathing proves to be the perfect pick-me -up for city dwellers that rarely find time to leave their desk, or get any peace and quiet from fast paced city living. Forest bathing can do wonders for your mind through encouraging concentration and creative problem solving. In fact, a study in America saw a 50% increase in creative problem solving for those in a group who were immersed in nature and disconnected from the outside world.

Boosts cognitive function

Furthermore, another study conducted by Natural Research has found that exposure to nature helps to boost cognitive function by:

- enhancing mental clarity and concentration
- encouraging creativity and problem solving
- boosting your mood

Stress relieving

Forest bathing encourages an emotional response from the nature around you. As a form of meditation, engaging with your natural surroundings allows you to slow down, remove yourself from the outside world and simply breathe. The therapeutic aspect of nature does wonders for your mental well-being, such as…

- lowering your cortisol levels ie. the stress hormone
- lowering feelings of depression and anxiety
- improving sleep quality
-enhancing mood

 

Spending time in nature can be linked to the release of endorphins, enhancing mood and an overall sense of wellbeing. You will feel calmer and undoubtedly less stressed, something most of us are in need of.

             

We understand that life doesn’t always let you get outside to fully immerse yourself in the restorative power of nature. life armour has taken the best of nature to create 100% natural and effective supplements designed for modern living. Our intelligent blends will respond to your bodies specific needs to help you unwind, recharge, rest and support your immune health.

Our award winning super me has been specifically formulated to build resilience to the pressures of modern life.

               

“A huge support, it has helped calm, ground and stabilize me.”, Elaine.

Busy in back to back meetings? Never seem to find a minute to stop?

drops of balance provides a moment to unwind when chaos is all around and there isn’t a green space in site (not to mention the freedom or time to get to one)! Take 2 minutes to stop, breath and feel yourself untangle.  

       

“I really loved this product - it delivers instant calm in a bottle”, Charlotte.

Press pause on the chaos of modern life and give forest bathing a try, even for just 15 minutes if you are tight for time. The good news is you don’t even need a forest! For those who can’t just pop to their local forest during their lunch break to reap the benefits of forest bathing, any open green space will do. Qunig Li author of ‘Shinrin-Yoku: suggests that a green space is just as beneficial as being in a forest, as long as you ‘open your senses to nature’.

forest

5 ways to open your senses to nature:

 - Leave your phone and any other distractions behind
- Have no expectations, feel free to wander aimlessly
- Be present in the natural surroundings
- Use all 5 of your senses to soak up the nature around you
-Add a handy supplement to your day such as 100% natural drops of balance