The other day, I stumbled upon a captivating YouTube video on Daria’s Poetry Of Slow Life Channel. She spoke about the concept of forest bathing. Instantly, I found myself deeply intrigued by the idea. Reminiscent of the times when I, too, immersed myself in nature to experience a forest bath like no other.
It was during my time in Manali, amidst its delightful weather, that I frequently found myself drawn to the forest teeming with majestic 40 ft tall Pine trees. Within the confines of the forest lay a microclimate unlike any other. A sudden drop in temperature, a profound silence, an overwhelming sense of tranquility. As soon as one entered the gates of this forest, the sounds of the road and the chatter of people faded into oblivion.
To this day, my mind often wanders back to the quaint lanes of Old Manali, particularly the Manu temple road, catching me off guard with its serene beauty. I can still recall the countless hours spent in silence. Listening to the melodious flow of the river, the cheerful chirping of birds. And the gentle embrace of fog atop the nearby peaks. Old Manali holds a special place in my heart. A place I never owned – yet one I fondly refer to as my second home.
There’s also this really fascinating piece on Forest Bathing. You can read about it on Nat Geo’s Travel section. This piece takes you through the what’s and why’s of Forest Bathing. It also talks about some of the most beautiful locations you can experience forest bathing in.
Forest bathing, also known as forest therapy or Shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese practice. It entails immersing oneself in the sights, sounds, and scents of a forest while maintaining a state of calm and quietude. Life felt ethereal amidst the embrace of the verdant greens that this forest offered. Looking back, I realize that I was subconsciously experiencing a forest bath.
Have you ever had the pleasure of experiencing a forest bath yourself?
