What the Hell is Forest Bathing & Why is it a Thing This Summer?

Bathing just took a whole other turn, and it requires zero water and soap (unless you’re into that sort of thing).

A new practice stemming from Japan called shinrin-yoku requires you to walk through a forest and take in the sights, smells and sounds of nature in order to bring physiological and psychological wellness without the distraction.

Those who are pro-hikers often know the benefits of such a thing.

In English, it’s translated to “forest bathing” and it’s the new thing to do this summer.

Pinterest caught the expanding wave of forest bathing, increasing searchers for “forest bathing” by 152 percent this year alone. In fact, some hotels are even offering forest bathing packages.

According to a 2016 Quartz article, you can take a forest bath as long as you expose yourself to greenery, so really it doesn’t necessarily have to be a forest. A park will do. Perhaps a sensible garden walk?

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H/T: People