On a recent trip to the Pacific Northwest, my soul sister and AFC alum Colleen Broughton captured my daughter Grace and I in awe of the old forest growth leading to Marymere Falls near Port Angeles, Washington (featured in the movie Twilight).

According to National Geographic magazine, “The term ‘Forest Bathing’ emerged in Japan in the 1980s as a physiological and psychological exercise called shinrin-yoku (‘forest bathing’ or ‘taking in the forest atmosphere’). The purpose was twofold: to offer an eco-antidote to tech-boom burnout and to inspire residents to reconnect with and protect the country’s forests.” Sounds pretty delightful doesn’t it?

Living in a northern climate — the practice of forest bathing is accessible all year long. Fall is fun, winter is big and white and spring is, well, it’s magic. All the new things taking the risk to open up for a chance at the light, the warmth. It’s pretty humbling to feel so small, so insignificant in the midst of mother nature’s magic. All you can do to harness the magic is to soak it in, go chasing that light with all the other living things. Forest bathing might be the single fastest way I know how to recharge my soul. To just ground and feel supported and loved. This spring has felt more dramatic than ever — all the life hustling for a chance in the light. 

For a deeper dive into what’s actually happening in nature through a scientific lens, check out Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants. Kimmerer is a botanist and a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She is also an incredibly powerful writer. Robin embraces indigenous teachings with tools to create a magical, fanciful world while giving readers history and science lessons along the way. This one is sure to be a classic.

Check it out here: https://milkweed.org/book/braiding-sweetgrass

If a podcast featuring nature seems a bit more accessible – check out Jane Goodall’s Hopecast. The new podcast features different influencers including leaders in business, policy and industry. Goodall takes each guest through questions relating to her vision for making the world a better place for everyone. I personally loved the episode where she interviewed author Robin Wall Kimmerer. I also enjoyed the episode with Dave Matthews. The sense of hope and wisdom Goodall brings to the chats coupled with changes she’s witnessed over her eight plus decades makes for a really interesting listen. A listen may even help you soak up the forest bathing on a whole different level. 

Take a listen here: https://janegoodall.org/our-story/about-jane/hopecast/

Stay tuned for next month’s post, which will feature brand new resources to explore. 

Kate is a member of several AFC circles. She is an avid reader who enjoys sharing exciting, new resources focusing on personal, professional and spiritual growth. Kate is a freelance writer residing in Northeast Wisconsin with her husband and three teenage children.