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For two hours, Claire Jefferies wanted to get away from the war in Iran and the rising gas prices and just commune with nature. And so, the Raleigh, North Carolina, woman treated herself to a little forest bathing.
The session at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum was led by certified forest therapy guide Shawn Ramsey.
Based on the Japanese wellness practice of Shinrin-yoku, the activity has been known to reduce stress, improve mood, lower blood pressure, and boost the immune system.
Although the arboretum is in a busy section of a growing city, Ramsey said the benefits of tuning out and getting in touch with nature are the same. She led the group of about a dozen through the various gardens, having them do breathing exercises, crush conifer twigs between their fingers, and just touch trees.
Transportation safety researcher Alan Mintz came with a friend. He had to be reminded to leave the talk of news at the entrance.
“I think it’s important for people to take the opportunity to exist in natural spaces, both to unwind and relax, so that it can be easier to interact with other people,” he said as he stood in the dappled light filtering through the trees.
“And to take a moment to appreciate beautiful things. That way, hopefully, they can carry that forward and have more of an appreciation for other people and other cultures that they might be less experienced with.”
Claire Jefferies, a Human Resources director, sits in the crotch of an oak tree and just reads.
She said nature is like “a shield” amid today’s chaotic news cycle.
“That focus back into spending time in nature and the healing power of that, and just remembering that we’re part of something bigger, that we’re all connected,” said the mother of a 9-year-old son.
“And that what we do in our actions that we take really matter to the rest of the world. And so there’s no better place to see that than here, where you can see all of the interconnectedness and the ways that this plant life naturally supports one another. Doesn’t take more than they need.”
This article was provided by The Associated Press.