For Good Health, Bathe Yourself…In Nature
While cities and technology may have provided us with many of the answers and solutions we have been seeking for centuries, they’ve also managed to sever us from our very roots: nature.
There’s a reason why we are all running to the beach or to the forest any chance we can get a week off from work. It’s not the open bar or all-you-can-eat buffet—It’s our primal instinct to receive the earth’s natural healing medicine.
I know this might sound a bit “woo-woo”, but it’s not that far out, considering that our ancestors used to live in harmony with the land, observing its seasons, learning animal behaviours, and when fruit is ripe for picking.
One of the best ways to bathe yourself in nature to decompress from city life is walking barefoot in the forest, also referred to as “grounding”. This might sound a bit too “wild” for most people, but it’s a lot more familiar than you would think. In fact, the urban technological centres we have created are much more foreign to us than walking barefoot in the forest.
When we walk barefoot, the earth’s electrons provide an antioxidant effect that balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Several studies have concluded that walking barefoot on the ground, or “grounding” has several healing benefits:
- Improves circulation
- Reduces inflammation by gently thinning the blood.
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Improved immune response
- Increased energy
- Restores natural bodily rhythms
If getting barefoot in the forest is too much of a leap for you, don’t worry. There are many other ways to bathe yourself in nature and receive its endless healing benefits:
Meditate in the forest. Simply closing your eyes and meditating on the many sounds of the forest can be very healing.
Sit near a natural water source. The sound and presence of water can effectively bring a sense of ease to our nervous system.
Get to know your local native plants. Learning about the wild plants that grow in your area will help you connect to the land, while getting you immersed in the forest ecosystem.
If you’re a hard-core city dweller like I was, try one of these activities at least once a week for the next month and take note of any differences in your mood, nervous system, and overall well-being.
