Imagine standing in a lush forest, surrounded by the songs of birds and the rustling of leaves, with the earthy scent of soil and trees filling the air. This is the essence of forest bathing, a natural experience that brings peace to both body and mind.
Originating from the Japanese term “shinrin-yoku,” forest bathing is a simple yet healing activity. It requires no special equipment or skills, just a willingness to disconnect from the digital world and embrace nature. The key is to use all of your senses to fully engage with the forest: feeling the warmth of sunlight on your skin, breathing in the fresh air, and touching the rough bark or soft moss. Whether you decide to stroll through the forest or sit down to rest, the goal is to immerse yourself in the natural surroundings.
Forest bathing not only relaxes the mind, but also offers numerous health benefits. Research from Japan shows that it improves sleep quality, regulates mood, enhances focus, and significantly reduces stress. In our technology-driven world, we are often overwhelmed by digital devices and urban noise, leading to sensory overload. In contrast, the tranquility of the forest helps us escape this pressure, providing mental and physical relief.
Photo: Pexels / 照片：Pexels
In fact, forest bathing has been recognized as a formal therapeutic practice in Japan since the 1980s. As people living in cities spend 93 percent of their time indoors, forest bathing serves as a reminder of the importance of reconnecting with nature. Next time you feel stressed or sad, let the peace of the forest soothe your mind and help you find inner calm and strength.
想像自己站在一片茂密的森林中，被鳥鳴和樹葉的沙沙聲所包圍，空氣中瀰漫著泥土和樹木的清香。這就是森林浴的精髓，一種能夠帶來身心平靜的自然體驗。
森林浴源自日語詞彙「しんりんよく」，是一種簡單卻有療癒效果的活動。它不需要特殊的設備或技巧，只需要你願意放下數位世界並擁抱大自然。關鍵在於運用所有的感官全心全意感受森林：感受陽光的溫暖灑在肌膚上，呼吸新鮮的空氣，觸摸粗糙的樹皮或柔軟的苔蘚。無論是漫步森林或靜坐休息，目的都是讓自己沉浸在自然環境中。
森林浴不僅能放鬆心情，還能帶來眾多健康益處。日本的相關研究顯示，它可以改善睡眠品質、調節情緒、增強專注力，並顯著減輕壓力。在我們這個科技主導的世界中，我們經常被數位裝置和都市噪音所淹沒，導致感官超載。相對而言，森林的寧靜有助於我們逃離這些壓力，提供身心的舒緩。
事實上，森林浴自1980年代以來就被日本認可為一種正式的療法。由於居住在城市的人們有93%的時間都在室內度過，森林浴提醒我們重新與大自然連結的重要性。下次當你感到壓力或沮喪時，讓森林的寧靜撫慰你的心靈，幫助你找回內心的平靜和力量。
MORE INFORMATION
rustling n. 紙或樹葉發出的摩擦聲
earthy adj. 泥土的
moss n. 苔蘚
sensory overload 感官超載（一個人的感官在短時間內接收到過多的資訊，超過了大腦能夠有效處理和應付的能力）
tranquility n. 平靜；寧靜
KEY VOCABULARY
1. lush adj. 茂盛的
The resort is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and has a beautiful beach.
這座度假村被茂盛的熱帶花園所包圍並擁有一處美麗的海灘。
2. scent n. 香味；氣味
Many people like flowers for their beautiful colors and delightful scents.
許多人喜歡花朵是因為它們美麗的顏色和吸引人的香味。
3. willingness n. 自願；樂意
Renee’s willingness to help others makes her a valuable team member.
芮妮樂於助人的態度讓她成為團隊中寶貴的成員。
4. disconnect vt. 疏離；切斷
To protect her mental health, Susan has to disconnect herself from toxic friendships.
為了保護她的心理健康，蘇珊必須切斷有害的友誼關係。
5. stroll v. 散步；閒逛
My friends and I decided to stroll through the park after dinner.
我和我朋友們決定晚餐後去公園散步。
6. enhance vt. 增強；增進；提高
Adding some spices can enhance the flavor of the dish.
加入一些香料可以提升這道菜的風味。
7. therapeutic adj. 治療性的；有療效的
Some herbs have therapeutic use in traditional medicine for various ailments.
有些草藥在傳統醫學上具有針對各種疾病的治療用途。
8. reminder n. 提醒；提示
I’ll be busy before the dinner appointment, so I’ve written myself a reminder in case I forget.
我在晚餐約會前會很忙碌，所以我給自己寫了一個提醒以免我忘記。
9. soothe vt. 使平靜；和緩
During the big storm, Ella’s mother soothed her by singing her favorite songs.
大風暴期間，艾拉的母親藉由唱她最喜歡的歌曲來使她平靜下來。
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