Forest bathing is a trend that has come on in recent years, but how much does it cost?
Forest bathing can be completely free, given the nature of the activity. However, guided sessions or ‘courses’ in forest bathing can cost anywhere from twenty to fifty dollars for an hour.
Read on to learn more about forest bathing, how much it costs, and how it can benefit you.
At One With Nature
It’s possible you haven’t heard of forest bathing if you’re not connected with alternative medicines and psychology. It’s a relatively new process that originated in Japan in the eighties.
At its core, forest bathing is a very simple concept that involves little-to-no cost or effort. The basic principle of forest bathing is to relax, enjoy nature, and connect with the outdoors.
It all starts with a disconnection from society – you leave electronic devices and the bustle of urban life behind.
Once you’re surrounded by nature, you begin to connect with the world around you. You’re supposed to settle your mind, soothe your soul, and reach out to the serenity that envelopes you.
The main goal is to achieve heightened senses, improve your well-being, and potentially boost your health. Forest bathing is said to reduce stress, rejuvenate your psyche, and even boost your immune system.
Forest bathing almost always incurs no cost at all – it’s totally free. This is because you can simply find an area of nature that you like and get involved at your leisure.
You will walk through a forest, examining the trees, touching the leaves, and hearing the sounds around you. You’ll notice the smells that surround the area, and enjoy the sensation of warm sun or tingling cold on your skin.
It’s all about feeling the world around you – quite literally bathing in nature.
There are alleged experts in forest bathing around the world that will offer courses on the subject. These can be acquired for as little as twenty to fifty dollars an hour.
Stress-Free Sensation
Many countries around the world have jumped on the forest bathing bandwagon in recent years. In particular, western countries like the United States and the United Kingdom.
There are many areas of nature in these countries – forests, mountains, hills, and rivers. They’re perfect for forest bathing, but some areas have taken it to the next step.
They cultivate the area and landscape according to the experts’ advice. The result is often a beautiful, luxurious area ripe for exploration and relaxation.
One company in the United Kingdom explains the ins and outs of forest bathing. They state that it’s often an exercise carried out in groups, but it can of course be a solo activity – and often should be.
They highlight that they often go barefoot through the forest, wearing comfortable clothing and using soft seating pads. There are meditation sessions amidst the trees and foliage, and they take trips into nature in all forms of weather.
An article posted in National Geographic in 2020 explores the notion of a skeptic trying forest bathing. What starts as a dubious and stubborn opinion transforms into an understanding belief.
The writer opens with clear skepticism but is quick to amend his way of thinking.
Within a few minutes of his first forest bathing session, he’s noticing the tiny movements in the forest, and picking up the subtle smells. He’s taught how to move in particular ways and ultimately resorts to forest bathing by himself.
He embarks on a night-time forest bathe, taking some time by a lake. He explains that as he lays there staring up at the stars, he “fully understands the need to soak it up”.
American Relaxation
There are many articles that discuss the best locations for forest bathing across the United States.
It doesn’t matter where you are in the country, you’re almost certain to find a lavish area of nature to enjoy. For example, the Humboldt Redwoods State Park in California, complete with iconic giant redwood trees.
Then, there’s the Olympic National Park in Washington, America’s only temperate rainforest. It’s a humid location and is intensely and densely packed with vegetation.
Alternatively, you could seek somewhere more adventurous, such as Stowe, in Vermont. The Green Mountain of New England is a hotspot for exploration and connection to nature.
All of these locations are of course completely free to explore. So, get out there and connect to nature as soon as you can.