A Calming Spring Ritual

Winter is at last behind us—a chance now to maximize outdoor visits

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At last, there is Spring. The blossoms have come, and some have gone … great clusters of deep green leaves shelter the sky, red flowers wave a cheerful hello. After our long brutal winter, we are especially thrilled by the earth’s renewal and lots of us clamor to be outside.

Spending time out of doors is a good thing we are often told.

The Japanese developed the concept of “Forest Bathing” directly based on that idea and folks there take it seriously indeed. Guided tours teach bathers how to benefit from a sojourn in the woods, sometimes lasting as long as three days! While a lengthy span isn’t in the cards for most of us, I was curious about what and how nature can share its benefits in short visits.

I’ll bet you have kid memories of climbing trees, picnicking on the lawn, playing badminton and other games, all outside. Today, though, we are putting those memories aside to consider how a structured approach to time outside helps us. Not surprisingly, there have been some preliminary studies on the matter, and the Japanese certainly have a lot to say.

Outdoor time has physical rewards beyond exercise. An example that is seldom mentioned is antimicrobial compounds called phytoncides that plants and trees release into the air. Breathing in phytoncides improves the body’s immune function, which is of course all good.

Another release into nature’s air is much more familiar: oxygen.