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Another intervention of Intermitten lifestyle is Shrin-Yogu. Or as we call it in English Forest Baths. Because there is a lot to tell about Intermittent Lifesyle, I will explain it furter in de course Intermittent Lifestyle, there I go deeper into the subject matter. But I don’t want to deny you the 10 most important reasons to take a forest pool more often and achieve maximum health benefits in a fun and relaxed way.

 

Trees make you happy

Why do we feel so much better when we walk in the great outdoors? And why do we feel less stressed and more energetic when we go for a walk in a nature reserve? The simple answer is trees.

What is Shinrin-Yoku?

Shinrin-yoku, also known as forest baths, has its origins in the Akasawabos in Japan. In 1982 a health programme for forest baths was introduced there for the first time. In it, they investigated the beneficial properties of trees and what this does to health.

The 10 health benefits of Shinrin-yoku

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lowers blood pressure

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lowers blood sugar levels

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reduces stress

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improved concentration and memory

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helps with eliminating depression

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gives energy

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improves the immune system by increasing Natural Killercells

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the production of anti-cancer proteins is increasing

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helps with weight loss

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pushed back the pain threshold

Connecting with nature is essential

Connecting with nature is actually just as essential to our health as regular exercise and healthy nutrition.

The most important part of practicing forest bathing is not walking, but rather the attention and the use of your senses to absorb nature in you. So you can marvel at how beautiful a tree is with its endless branches, the smell of pine needles and flowers that you come across along the way.

Listening to the rustling of leaves and the birds singing you their most beautiful song.

Feeling the bark of a tree or moss under your bare feet.

Tasting the salty air of the sea in the dunes.

Enjoying the animals you meet along the way. By doing so you focus your attention on the outside instead of the inside.

If you also get some scratches and scrapes while walking, that’s absolutely fantastic. Because your immune system then turns out the way it should. So good for people with autoimmune diseases where the immune system has turned inwards.

It’s not about the pace you walk. Walk with attention and if that means you’ll be walking for 2 hours over a 5 km stretch, that’s only right!

How does Shinrin-yogu improve your health?

1. Find a place that suits you. Where you feel comfortable and where you get a happy feeling. One is a hilly landscape and the other is a wooded area with a small river. If you like the smell of the earth, look for a forest where you experience this most.

2. Free from dirt

3. A wide variety of plants

4. Enough light not too dark

5. At least 5 km long

6. Plenty of trees, especially conifers or other evergreen trees.

7. Wide paths

8. Well maintained and clear routes

9. Possible gently sloping slopes

10. Toilets

11. Turn off your phone!

 

In addition to a quiet walk, you can of course also go outside and do some sports as long as you enjoy the activity you have chosen. Because if you do what you enjoy, we are more likely to repeat the activity.

In addition to the forest, you can of course also enjoy playing sports in a city park. Research has shown that short bursts of physical activity already have a major impact on our mood. It makes us happier.

What is important is that we stay in the forest for at least 2 hours to achieve the health benefits. Some of the benefits are already noticeable after 20 minutes.

It’s great that taking a forest bath is so healthy for you! And it costs nothing.

This was my blog about shinrin-yogu in a nutshell. If you liked it, would you like to share this blog for me with others? You make me very happy with that.

With love, Pammela