Forest bathing. Without even knowing what that might mean, don't those two words sound simply divine? Even just saying them out loud has a delicious "clearing" effect.

 

Yes, it has magic powers.

 

I just heard of the concept of forest bathing recently. It's a Japanese rejuvenation practice called shinrin-yoku. What makes it different from your usual walking the dog, or jogging in a park while catching up on the latest podcast, is that you're doing so with all of your senses – full on – with awareness. You leave the cell phone behind and simply steep in the experience of being held and fed by nature itself.

 

Nothing to do (but receive). Nothing to strive for.

 

Living in New England, you can imagine how many "baths" I've been taking this fall. The foliage this year has been off the charts, probably one of the most exuberant shows I've ever experienced. Even just driving on a quiet country road makes me want to stop and steep and weep.

 

If you want a little taste of bathing in this way but live miles away from a patch of trees, or can't get yourself to a woodland setting, you can watch my one-minute video below of "forest bathing among giants" from our recent trip to Muir Woods in Northern California. You can also follow me @spaciousway on Instagram for a little vicarious hit of fall New England magic.

 

If you'd like to develop your receptivity and sensory muscles even more you're in luck there too, because I have a whole section in my new book A Year for You devoted to tuning up the senses.

Happy steeping!