Forest Bathing: what is it?
The practice of shinrin-yoku, meaning "full enjoyment of the benefits of the forest’s atmosphere (washing, regenerating, relaxation)", originated in Japan at the beginning of the '80s. Thorough scientific research has since shown that there is a positive correlation between spending periods of time in a forest and the improvement of our vital signs.Its Japanese origin should be no surprise: despite being an extremely modern and industrialized country, two thirds of it is covered by forests and all its culture and religious sensibilities are closely connected with woodlands. Forest Bathing thus stems from the marriage of ancient practices and modern scientific research.
It would be wrong, however, to think of Forest Bathing as an "imported fashion", an ephemeral trend. If we look at our history in fact, we’ll see that forests have been crucial for human life and activities at all latitudes. From Asia to Europe, from the Americas to Africa, humans have always found sustenance in the woods, they have always performed their rites of initiation in them and gone into them to cultivate their spirituality.
The benefits of Forest Bathing
Inhaling the terpenes naturally emitted by trees whilst enjoying a panorama in which hardly anything is man-made, listening to sounds that are quieter and more natural than those we’re used to hearing and regaining the consciousness of our senses, all this is a powerful source of physical and mental wellbeing.The exercises carried out during a session, whether static or in motion, enable us to focus on the “here and now” and can deliver benefits such as a lowering of blood pressure, reduction of cortisol (the stress hormone), increased serotonin levels, reduction of tachycardia, lower risk of depression, strengthening of the immune system, overall relaxation and augmented creativity and sociableness. This is why certain countries in the Far East (Japan, South Korea) introduced forest bathing in their healthcare programs years ago to reduce people’s stress levels and why some countries in Northern Europe too are now including these practices in their health services.
Forest Bathing in Oasi Zegna
Oasi Zegna is a great place for forest bathing, being almost unique in Italy. Forward-looking management of Oasi Zegna has enabled it over the years to become a pioneering force in forest wellbeing, first with a course of bioenergetic experience with the trees and then with specially designed paths for forest bathing. The idea grew out of a series of assessments of the vegetation in a part of Oasi Zegna that is mostly thick beech wood, which is particularly suited to this practice. The work was done in 2014, on the initiative of the Zegna Foundation, by Prof. Marco Nieri and Prof. Marco Mencagli. Building on the aforesaid international research and introducing precise parameters for estimating the trees’ potential emissions, their study made it possible to identify three ideal loops for forest bathing. The project looked at the existing tree species (especially beech), their density, exposure, prevailing winds and other variables capable of conditioning the effects of these forest walks, including ease of access and distance.
