Sylvotherapy, also known as « forest bathing » or « shinrin-yoku » in Japanese, is a wellness practice that involves spending time in nature, particularly in forests, with the aim of promoting mental, emotional and physical health.
This practice is based on the idea that contact with nature, particularly trees, has beneficial effects on human well-being.
Why should we take the time to get in touch with nature to feel better?
There are several answers to this question:
Can you meditate for better sports performance?
Immersing ourselves in nature, especially in the forest, allows us to take our time and calm our minds to be in the here and now. Slow down your steps to enjoy the forest through all your senses. Carefully observe your surroundings, the trees, the bark, the leaves, but also smell the forest’s petrichor, its humidity, the wind in the branches… When I write these few lines, I feel like I’m writing the protocol for sophrology or meditation. Well, sylvotherapy is a kind of meditation in the forest, combining gestures and postures (the signal gesture in sophrology) with the 5 senses. And it allows the mind to calm down and return to an almost modified state of consciousness, comparable to hypnosis or meditation. An altered state of consciousness (ASC) is a mental state different from the ordinary, waking state of consciousness.
How do you access this state of consciousness?
Walking and approaching a tree.
Sylvotherapy involves interacting with trees. This can include meditating near a tree, touching its bark, or simply sitting under a tree to relax. Some practitioners believe that trees emit chemical compounds called phytoncides, which can have positive effects on human health.
Phytoncides are essential oils released by trees to protect themselves, and have bactericidal and fungicidal properties. In humans, a direct relationship has been found between phytoncides and certain benefits observed during forest bathing (reduced catecholamines, increased number of NK cells and anti-cancer proteins). Fabrice Kuhn, Bain des bois, au secours de votre santé!
Sylvotherapy will deliver the same benefits as regular practice of sophrology, meditation or yoga: stress reduction, lower blood pressure, improved concentration and creativity, as well as general health and the immune system.
Accessible practice: Sylvotherapy is a practice accessible to almost everyone, regardless of fitness level or age. It requires no special equipment, simply a natural environment such as a forest, park or even a garden.
The main aim is to encourage connection with nature and enjoy the soothing benefits it can offer for body and mind.