There’s a simple but effective way to improve your physical and psychological wellbeing, and all you need are some woods and a little free time. In the 1980s, the Japanese pioneered a practice called “shinrin-yoku” or “forest bathing,” which entails going for a walk in woods without a phone or agenda. You can do it, too. Go for a walk in nature and pay close attention to the sights and sounds: Listen to the birds, smell the fresh air, notice the colors and textures of plants and trees, and maybe stop to touch a moss-covered rock. Doing so, research found, helps us lower our blood pressure, feel calmer, and release stress.
The Women’s Leadership Center is extremely fortunate to be close by the Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy. This 231-acre natural treasure is open 365 days a year. In October, members of the Women’s Leadership Center team joined our friends, Kishwauketoe Vice Chair Jim Killian and “forest bathing” trained guide Cindy Conlon for a restorative experience. We learned it’s about slowing way down and using all of our senses to take in what nature offers. What a rare gift!