We all love being around the trees, gazing at the chirping of birds and feeling chilled to the cool and fresh breeze. People even go trekking, mountaineering, and hill climbing as part of adventure activities and get connected to nature.
How will it be if such an activity to connect to the nature is adopted by the government as a therapeutic programme? Sounds interesting isn’t it? The Government of Japan in 1980s adopted a practice called, Shinrin-yoku.
A unique reference, a unique term means Forest bathing. Sounds interesting isn’t it? But do not misunderstand it for taking bath in the forest. Shinrin Yoku simply means smearing ourselves with the essence of forest. Shinrin in Japanese language means forest and Yoku is bath.
We are aware of the fact that, nature has its own healing power. And for the Government of Japan, Shinrin-Yoku was the way, an eco-antidote to the modern day problems. Shinrin Yoku became a two step solution. One a self health care for people and another an awareness against the destruction of forest. When people get connected to the nature, they effectively understand its significance.
As per the sources, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of Japan saw the auto immunity disorder among the citizens of Japan. It was also the time when there was an IT boom, people had turned workaholics and forgot the time for self, Shinrin-Yoku became a solution.