Forest Bathing – The Tyrol Outdoor Forest

        Li, Associate Professor in Tokyo, is one of the world’s leading experts on ‘forestbathing’. This is explained by Li as “simply being in nature, connecting with it through our sense of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch” (Li, 2018, p.12).

        Raising awareness of biophilia to help us reap the benefits of the natural world is very important for us, not only to improve our mental health but to also benefit from improved health and well-being. 

        ‘Biophilia’ a term first used by Erich Fromm, the German social psychologist, psychoanalyst and philosopher in his book, The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness which described biophilia as “the passionate love of life and of all that is alive” (1973, p.116). Fromm, further devised a theory that from this love of life “it is the wish to further growth, whether in a person, a plant, an idea, or a social group.” (Fromm, 1973. p366). Fromm writes about the importance of a love of life if thoughts, ideas and decisions are to be made and come to fruition: “Critical and radical thought will only bear fruit when it is blended with the most precious quality man is endowed with – the love of life” (Fromm, 1973, p.438). Arvay, the author of ‘The Biophilia Effect’ (2018), speaks of our innate connection with nature over millions of years “from nature, in nature and with nature” (Arvay, 2018, p.32) and writes that “biophilia is a product of human evolution” (Arvay, 2018, p.32). Arvay believes we are more connected to natural habitats than urban ones: “Evolution-wise, we are clearly more connected with natural habitats than with urban, technological and highly modern ones’’ (Arvay, 2018, p.32). With this noted, nature must be protected and sustained to the best of our abilities.

        According to Dr Qing Li, author of ‘Into the forest’, being close to nature has enormous benefits to ourselves. His book opens with the statement: “We all know how good being in nature can make us feel” (Li, 2018, p.1). He continues saying that “being in nature can restore our mood, give us back our energy and vitality, refresh and rejuvenate us… it is like an intuition, or an instinct…” (Li, 2018, p.2). This is echoed by Clemens G. Arvay when he writes about Hildegard Von Bingen, twelfth-century scholar, who “wrote down her discoveries about the healing nature of plants” (Arvay, 2018, p.5). Arvay states that Von Bingen “knew about a healing bond between humans and nature” (Arvay, 2018, p.5). Arvay clearly makes his point regarding the significance of nature in healing: “In the future, contact with plants has to play an important role in treating physical illness and mental disorders” (Arvay, 2018, p.6). He goes further to speak of the actual inclusion of nature and greenery in each and every individuals lives: “There simply must not be clinics without a garden or access to a meadow and forest, no new neighbourhoods without vegetation, and no new cities without wilderness” (Arvay, 2018, p.6). Dr Qing Li explains, investigating the science behind the feeling we have when connected to nature and says: “I want to know why we feel so much better when we are in nature…what is the secret power of trees that make us so much healthier and happier?” (Li, 2018, p.5). Li, Associate Professor in Tokyo, is one of the world’s leading experts on ‘forestbathing’. This is explained by Li as “simply being in nature, connecting with it through our sense of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch” (Li, 2018, p.12). Dr Qing Li contrasts the daily environment of millions who sit indoors in air-conditioned or heated offices and “might not have even noticed the weather… or… missed the changing of seasons altogether” (Li, 2018, p.8) but “when we open up our senses, we begin to connect to the natural world” (Li, 2018, p.12). ‘Into the forest’ describes this vital and wonderful connection with nature that is necessary for our all-round well-being: “When we are in harmony with the natural world, we can begin to heal… we are refreshed and restored” (Li, 2018, p.15). Li is also the President of the Society of Forest medicine in Japan, states: “I study forest medicine to find out all the ways in which the forest can improve our well-being” (Li, 2018, p.5). In 1982, Li began his extensive research into the health benefits of trees and nature where he says: “There was still a lot to discover about the beneficial properties of trees. Many experiments and much research has to be done before we had scientific evidence to prove what we instinctively felt to be true… that wherever in the world there are trees, we are happier and healthier” (Li, 2018, p.52). Through this research and findings, Li was to put clearly forward the case for “what we have always known innately about the healing power of the forest” (Li, 2018, p.57). The practice of ‘shinrin-yoku’ began in the early 1980s – the term devised by the Director-General of the Agency of Agriculture and Forestry, Tomohide Akiyama who stated that “people of Japan were in need of healing through nature” (Li, 2018, p.58). ‘Shinrin-yoku’ translates as ‘forest-bathing’, and it was in 1988 that Dr Qing Li “became convinced that ‘forest-bathing’ was absolutely essential to human health” (Li, 2018, p.63) but “not until 2004 that scientific investigation of the link between forests and human health began in earnest” (Li, 2018, p.63). Arvay also writes about the Japanese tradition of ‘forest-bathing’ and describes it as “similar to bathing in a lake, we can also dive into a forest with all of our senses…taking in the forest atmosphere,” (Arvay, 2018, p.11) and further… “in today’s Japan, taking in the forest atmosphere is an officially recognised method of preventing disease as well as a supplement to treatment”(Arvay,2018,p.11). Arvay informs us that it is promoted by the Public Health of Japan, universities and implemented in hospitals.

       The Tyrol Outdoor Forest has been put in place to support and rejuvenate needed forest areas around the world. With every product sold YOU help to support the healing power of the natural environment. As the company grows, we aim to create our own forest space in the Peak District National Park that can be used by anyone. A protected space designated to YOU. ‘’Let's Grow Together’ to support our health, well-being and the natural world.