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Full disclosure, I’m not an outdoorsy gal. I associate being outside with either having to swat away bugs in the humid summers, scratching my eyes out in the allergy-infested spring, or doing yardwork, which I hate with all my being.

However, on a recent trip to Hocking Hills, Ohio, I had a change of heart. First, we went to this secluded destination in the fall – so the air was crisp and required several layers to be comfortable. Second, we had no real itinerary. Sure, I took a look at the state park map, but honestly, we went where the wind took us. And third, because of the lax itinerary, there was no time limit to our adventures. We took a long walk through the forest, which only garnered complaints from our youngest after an hour, but still, the tranquility was super rejuvenating. We got to experience sandstone caves and waterfalls. Importantly, we stayed away from society and spent a lot of the time outside playing ladder ball or sitting around a campfire. Off the grid was just what the doctor ordered.

But coming home from that short 2-day trip, I was eager to find trails nearby to relive the same adventures.

Something changed during those couple of days. The boys seemed more interested in NOT staring at a device – WIN – and I personally felt more relaxed that everything would work out.

Digging deeper into forest bathing, or the Japanese shinrin-yoku, the effects I was feeling have science to back them up.

1. Forest bathing is known to reduce blood pressure, which can be a direct result of a reduction in stress levels known to increase diastolic and systolic BP
2. It can relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety with it’s mindful experience and the recognition of the 5 senses.
3. Being in nature can significantly boost your immune system, especially cells that fight off infections and tumors.

People who enjoy gardening or taking daily walks may feel similarly, but forcing myself to garden or finding the time away from work to walk daily are harder sells for my week. Instead, I like the idea of mapping time on the weekends perhaps to visit a nearby trail.

Fresh air really does the body and mind good!