It’s Take A Walk Outdoors Day!
January 20th is Take A Walk Outdoors Day, I had no idea it was even a thing! Thank goodness for the National Park Service and their hysterical Facebook posts for letting me know. If you don’t follow them I would recommend doing so. If nothing else they’ll make you smile.
I love to hike, especially in the winter…..less bugs, more views (generally no leaves on the trees), less fellow hikers on the trail, and usually super quiet. In my opinion, there’s never a bad day to go hiking. If it’s less than an ideal hike it’s usually because I’m not dressed appropriately. My husband and I have hiked in the rain, sleet, snow, below freezing temps, etc., you get the idea. I’ll get outside any chance I get, it keeps me sane and grounded!
Have you gotten outside for a walk or hike lately? Getting outside can help reduce stress, regulate mood and increase brain function in addition to being great exercise.
The Japanese call this forest bathing. The term emerged in Japan in the 1980s as a physiological and psychological exercise called shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere”). The purpose was twofold: to offer an eco-antidote to tech-boom burnout and to inspire reconnection with the forest.
In the 1990s, researchers began studying the physiological benefits of forest bathing, providing the science to support what we innately know: time spent immersed in nature is good for us. While Japan is credited with the term shinrin-yoku, the concept at the heart of the practice is not new. Many cultures have long recognized the importance of the natural world to human health.
Forest bathing is not just for the wilderness-lover; the practice can be as simple as walking in any natural environment and consciously connecting with what’s around you. Fortunately for us there are many places locally to be immersed in nature. I highly recommend using the AllTrails app (it’s free, there is a paid version if you’ll be doing a more rugged hike) or the websites NJHiking.com or SouthJerseyTrails.org to find someplace near you. If you need suggestions or recommendations for trails leave a comment below or follow me on the AllTrails app.
Get outside and do some Forest bathing this weekend to reconnect with yourself and nature. I’d love to know where you went so please leave a comment below!
