"Forest bathing." It's a real thing, folks. In Japan it's referred to as "shinrin-yoku." It's not exercising, hiking, or really doing anything. It's just being there amongst the trees. According to scientists (yes, they've studied this subject), it reduces stress, anxiety, depression, and anger.
If you do an online search or simply look at a Community Ed course catalog, you will find classes, books, articles, etc. on forest bathing. Seems that going to the woods to relax is suddenly hip and trendy.
When I was growing up we had a "woods" in our backyard. I grew up in a first ring suburb of a large city (Edina, for those familiar with Minneapolis), so it wasn't a vast wilderness. It was probably about a 1/2 acre. Still it was enough. It's where we made forts, picked bouquets, played hide and seek, and even charged the younger kids in neighborhood a nickel to walk though it (my tribe was ruthless...entrepreneurial, but ruthless). I never thought much of it; it was simply my life. My husband also grew up amongst trees. His parents had several acres outside Cleveland. He, too, has memories of tree houses and make believe under a canopy of green.
For years really didn't consider living near the forest. We lived in either farmland subdivisions with trees that we planted ourselves or in the city where the only trees around were lining the streets and providing shade small parks. That changed when we purchased our home in Nashville.
When we bought our house, we didn't really think much about the woods behind the house or surrounding the neighborhood. We knew the neighborhood had lots of "common ground," including a forest swath that separated the homes from the Harpeth River. But like many adults, we had lost our imagination and enthusiasm of the woods. Lucky, our kids reignited our curiosity. We had "our" woods and now found peace.
We spent a lot of time in the woods. Our sons camped there, we hosted bonfires, we hiked the miles of trails and our son even created his Eagle Scout project to benefit the neighborhood forest. In addition, at night we'd just sit on the deck and listen to the animals at dusk. It felt like we were miles away from civilization.
When we moved to Ann Arbor (hello, "Tree Town, USA") we actively sought homes on wooded lots (it was part of the agreement with our kids when we moved). Our demands were very particular: private, wooded lot, yet in a neighborhood. Ann Arbor is blessed with an abundance of old shade trees and a government whose priority it maintaining the greenery. However, finding a house that fit "just right" was difficult. Our realtor was awesome, and we found just the right place.
Our home today sits atop 4 acres of pine forest. When you pull up the driveway, you escape to the north woods. It's lovely. We can "forest bathe" at my house all day long. But, there's more to the forest than the trees.
Critters
When you live in the woods, there's bound to be wildlife. Every day at my house we see a herd of deer (newborn fawn was in my yard last week), a large flock of wild turkeys, fox, raccoon, squirrels, and of course birds. In the distance we can hear a howling coyote. And that's just outside the house!
This winter we had to deal with mice. Ugh, hate them. They snuck in the garage and decided to set up shop. We also discovered chipmunks between the first and second floors of the house. Luckily, there are plenty of humane critter removal companies out there to rid our home of these unwanted guests.
Ticks and Insects
I'm OK with insects. Spiders, eh, no big deal. Bees and hornets, who cares? Mosquitos, yep they bug me. Ticks....ewwww. Again, if you forest bathe in the woods, be ready for the creepy-crawlies who reside on the forest floor. Rumor has it 2018 will be a banner year for ticks. Here's a natural tick deterrent to try: Mix 1 part tea tree oil with 2 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray on shoes, socks, or pant cuffs.
In addition to DEET-laced repellent sprays, plant some mosquito repelling plants in your garden to keep the bugs at bay. Lavender, marigolds, citronella grass, catnip, rosemary, basil, and geraniums are known to help with mosquitos. .
Poison Ivy
I would be remiss if I failed to bring up poison ivy, oak, and sumac when talking about the forest. It's everywhere and depending on your sensitivity can cause varying degrees of discomfort. My outdoorsy son (who would literally spend 24/7 outside if given the opportunity) has a severe allergic reaction to poison ivy. So did my Dad, and my sister does too. I get the telltale blisters when exposed, but that's about it. There are many apps for identifying plants and of course keep in mind "leaves of three leave them be."
If you do happen to get poison ivy (remember it's a vine that grows up tree trunks as well as on the forest floor), there are a few things you can do to ease the pain.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Folks who travel to the beach already know that apple cider vinegar helps with jellyfish stings. But it also helps with poison ivy. Soak paper in vinegar and apply to affected areas. It will draw out the poison!
- Bananas and watermelon: Not talking fruit salad here. Instead, rub affected areas with banana peel or watermelon rind for comfort.
- Rubbing alcohol: Swiping your skin with rubbing alcohol immediately after poison ivy exposure will help prevent it from spreading.
According to piece on NPR, an EPA study found that Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors. No wonder we have a need to be outside. In addition to creating a sense of calm, the oils created by certain evergreens (pine and cypress) have been known to increase energy levels by 30%. Plus, those who spend time outdoors tend to sleep better!
Those stuck in the city needn't fret. Walks on parks, house plants, and aromatherapy using tree oils can also generate desired results.
Whether you are looking for a house in the woods or a condo in the urban jungle, I can help.
"We need the tonic of wildness...At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough nature." - Henry David Thoreau
Note: This was originally published on my real estate blog, "Sarah Sell My House."
If you do an online search or simply look at a Community Ed course catalog, you will find classes, books, articles, etc. on forest bathing. Seems that going to the woods to relax is suddenly hip and trendy.
When I was growing up we had a "woods" in our backyard. I grew up in a first ring suburb of a large city (Edina, for those familiar with Minneapolis), so it wasn't a vast wilderness. It was probably about a 1/2 acre. Still it was enough. It's where we made forts, picked bouquets, played hide and seek, and even charged the younger kids in neighborhood a nickel to walk though it (my tribe was ruthless...entrepreneurial, but ruthless). I never thought much of it; it was simply my life. My husband also grew up amongst trees. His parents had several acres outside Cleveland. He, too, has memories of tree houses and make believe under a canopy of green.
For years really didn't consider living near the forest. We lived in either farmland subdivisions with trees that we planted ourselves or in the city where the only trees around were lining the streets and providing shade small parks. That changed when we purchased our home in Nashville.
When we bought our house, we didn't really think much about the woods behind the house or surrounding the neighborhood. We knew the neighborhood had lots of "common ground," including a forest swath that separated the homes from the Harpeth River. But like many adults, we had lost our imagination and enthusiasm of the woods. Lucky, our kids reignited our curiosity. We had "our" woods and now found peace.
We spent a lot of time in the woods. Our sons camped there, we hosted bonfires, we hiked the miles of trails and our son even created his Eagle Scout project to benefit the neighborhood forest. In addition, at night we'd just sit on the deck and listen to the animals at dusk. It felt like we were miles away from civilization.
When we moved to Ann Arbor (hello, "Tree Town, USA") we actively sought homes on wooded lots (it was part of the agreement with our kids when we moved). Our demands were very particular: private, wooded lot, yet in a neighborhood. Ann Arbor is blessed with an abundance of old shade trees and a government whose priority it maintaining the greenery. However, finding a house that fit "just right" was difficult. Our realtor was awesome, and we found just the right place.
Our home today sits atop 4 acres of pine forest. When you pull up the driveway, you escape to the north woods. It's lovely. We can "forest bathe" at my house all day long. But, there's more to the forest than the trees.
Critters
When you live in the woods, there's bound to be wildlife. Every day at my house we see a herd of deer (newborn fawn was in my yard last week), a large flock of wild turkeys, fox, raccoon, squirrels, and of course birds. In the distance we can hear a howling coyote. And that's just outside the house!
This winter we had to deal with mice. Ugh, hate them. They snuck in the garage and decided to set up shop. We also discovered chipmunks between the first and second floors of the house. Luckily, there are plenty of humane critter removal companies out there to rid our home of these unwanted guests.
Ticks and Insects
I'm OK with insects. Spiders, eh, no big deal. Bees and hornets, who cares? Mosquitos, yep they bug me. Ticks....ewwww. Again, if you forest bathe in the woods, be ready for the creepy-crawlies who reside on the forest floor. Rumor has it 2018 will be a banner year for ticks. Here's a natural tick deterrent to try: Mix 1 part tea tree oil with 2 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray on shoes, socks, or pant cuffs.
In addition to DEET-laced repellent sprays, plant some mosquito repelling plants in your garden to keep the bugs at bay. Lavender, marigolds, citronella grass, catnip, rosemary, basil, and geraniums are known to help with mosquitos. .
Poison Ivy
I would be remiss if I failed to bring up poison ivy, oak, and sumac when talking about the forest. It's everywhere and depending on your sensitivity can cause varying degrees of discomfort. My outdoorsy son (who would literally spend 24/7 outside if given the opportunity) has a severe allergic reaction to poison ivy. So did my Dad, and my sister does too. I get the telltale blisters when exposed, but that's about it. There are many apps for identifying plants and of course keep in mind "leaves of three leave them be."
If you do happen to get poison ivy (remember it's a vine that grows up tree trunks as well as on the forest floor), there are a few things you can do to ease the pain.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Folks who travel to the beach already know that apple cider vinegar helps with jellyfish stings. But it also helps with poison ivy. Soak paper in vinegar and apply to affected areas. It will draw out the poison!
- Bananas and watermelon: Not talking fruit salad here. Instead, rub affected areas with banana peel or watermelon rind for comfort.
- Rubbing alcohol: Swiping your skin with rubbing alcohol immediately after poison ivy exposure will help prevent it from spreading.
According to piece on NPR, an EPA study found that Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors. No wonder we have a need to be outside. In addition to creating a sense of calm, the oils created by certain evergreens (pine and cypress) have been known to increase energy levels by 30%. Plus, those who spend time outdoors tend to sleep better!
Those stuck in the city needn't fret. Walks on parks, house plants, and aromatherapy using tree oils can also generate desired results.
Whether you are looking for a house in the woods or a condo in the urban jungle, I can help.
"We need the tonic of wildness...At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough nature." - Henry David Thoreau
Note: This was originally published on my real estate blog, "Sarah Sell My House."
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