“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” —John Muir
Improving your health and well-being is a simple as a walk in the forest. The Japanese healing practice known as Shinrin-Yoku, or literally forest bathing means to take in the forest with all your senses. The term and practice were first coined in 1982 by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries—and subsequent research studies have confirmed its positive impact on reducing stress and boosting the immune system. Even as little as 15 minutes can help drop your blood pressure and improve mental clarity, as well as increase creativity.
All you have to do is keep the following simple instructions in mind, as Live Be Yoga Ambassador Trisha Fey Elizarde did during a wellness getaway to Sun Valley, Idaho. In this gallery, Trisha shares the beauty and solitude of her hike in the Sawtooth National Forest. It’s worth noting that the Sawtooth Wilderness has been protected for more than 100 years—officially designated as a reserve by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1905. This unspoiled environment not only sustains the wildlife that lives there, it provides a sacred space of clean air, clean water, and quiet to nourish those who visit it.