Stressed, Tired, and Stuck? Try This Unusual Fix
I was feeling off. Stressed, sluggish, and heavier than usual. Winter had me cooped up indoors, working remotely, barely moving. My energy was low, my motivation lower. I knew the usual answers—diet, exercise, get outside more—but knowing didn’t change how I felt.
So, in a moment of frustration, I turned to ChatGPT. “Why am I feeling this way?” It gave me all the predictable responses: eat better, exercise, get more sunlight. Yeah, yeah—been there, done that.
Then, I asked: “Tell me something unusual.”
That’s when I discovered forest bathing.
WHAT IS FOREST BATHING?
The Japanese call it Shinrin-Yoku, or “forest bathing”—a simple practice of immersing yourself in nature, not to exercise, but to be. Studies show that trees release phytoncides—natural compounds that reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and even boost immunity.
Time in nature literally rebalances the nervous system.
Research Highlights:
Reduces stress: A study found forest exposure significantly lowers cortisol levels.
Boosts immunity: Another study showed that inhaling phytoncides increases immune-boosting NK cell activity.
Enhances mood & mental clarity: Research published in Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine found forest bathing decreases anxiety and improves cognitive function.
So I decided to try it.
FROM DISCONNECTION TO RECONNECTION
As a kid, I never cared much for nature—it felt boring. I craved excitement, noise, and stimulation. Years later, I found myself in the ultimate concrete jungle: New York. At first, it was thrilling. But over time, the city’s energy started to feel more like alienation than excitement.
It wasn’t until my first psychedelic experiences that I truly felt connected to nature. The trees weren’t just background—they were alive. The earth itself felt like home. And yet, over time, I forgot. Life got busy, and I drifted back into screens, stress, and routine. Sounds familiar?
That’s why finding forest bathing felt like a wake-up call. I stepped outside, found a quiet patch of nature, and let myself just sit. No agenda. No phone. Just me and the trees.
And like magic, something shifted. The stress melted. My mind cleared. I felt like myself again.
HOW TO FOREST BATH (NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRE)
Forest bathing isn’t about hiking or covering miles. It’s about slowing down and letting nature recalibrate your mind and body. Here’s how to do it:
1. Find a Green Space – It doesn’t have to be a deep forest; a park, garden, or quiet tree-lined street will do.
2. Leave the Distractions Behind – No phone, no music, no agenda. Just you and nature.
3. Engage Your Senses – Notice the sounds, textures, and scents around you. Feel the air, the ground beneath your feet.
4. Breathe Deeply – Trees release oxygen-rich air filled with phytoncides. Take slow, deep breaths and let it ground you.
5. Move Slowly—or Not at All – Walk mindfully, or simply sit and observe. Let yourself settle into the moment.
6. Stay As Long As You Can – Even 15 minutes can make a difference, but 30-60 minutes will have deeper effects.
The Japanese call it Shinrin-Yoku, or “forest bathing”—a simple practice of immersing yourself in nature, not to exercise, but to be.
The Reminder We All Need
In the end, all I needed was to step outside. To reconnect. To remember that nature has always been there, waiting.
If you’ve been feeling off, anxious, or stuck in your head, maybe the answer isn’t another self-improvement hack. Maybe it’s simply this: go outside. Sit with a tree. Breathe.
It worked like magic for me. It might for you, too.
At Consciousness House, we explore what happens when we give ourselves the space to listen—to nature, to our inner world, to the things we’ve been too busy to notice.
What would happen if you gave yourself that space today?
Contact us today, we’ll be happy to assist you.
Hey, Why wait? Book now a free consultation and take the first step toward breaking free. It costs nothing to step out of the self-doubt imprisonment you’ve created for yourself.
Sources:
https://www.wired.com/story/healthier-cities-will-require-a-strong-dose-of-nature/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.wired.com/story/healthier-cities-will-require-a-strong-dose-of-nature?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.wired.com/story/healthier-cities-will-require-a-strong-dose-of-nature?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/oct/06/best-walk-hike-for-mental-health-uk?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://environhealthprevmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12199-019-0822-8
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/oct/06/best-walk-hike-for-mental-health-uk?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC966595
https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/wellnessevidence/forest-bathing/
https://longevity.stanford.edu/lifestyle/2023/10/03/the-difference-between-hiking-and-forest-bathing/
ttps://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-forest-therapy-enhance-health-and-well-being-2020052919948
