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<<0>> over the last year i've been studying
<<2>> meditation
<<3>> and begun my daily practice of this
<<6>> during my study i came across a concept
<<9>> that again resonated with me
<<11>> to the point that i really dug into the
<<13>> research
<<14>> it is the concept of shinrin yoku in
<<17>> japanese
<<18>> or forest bathing the concept started
<<21>> with the forestry department in japan
<<23>> making a hypothesis
<<25>> that people are healthier if they spend
<<27>> time in the forest
<<29>> as it turns out there is a significant
<<32>> body of evidence supporting this
<<34>> spending time in a forest lowers our
<<36>> serum cortisol
<<38>> lowers blood pressure lowers heart rate
<<40>> and boosts
<<41>> a specific type of immune cell
<<44>> it changes our physiology in as little
<<46>> as one
<<47>> short hike lasting less than two hours
<<51>> as soon as i read it i reflected on the
<<53>> many hours i've spent in the back
<<55>> country
<<55>> of the beautiful mountains of the
<<57>> western united states
<<59>> places such as yellowstone the grand
<<61>> tetons
<<62>> zions national park and the grand canyon
<<65>> i've hiked along in the rain forests of
<<68>> the western edge of vancouver island in
<<70>> british columbia
<<71>> i've hiked the hills and valleys of
<<73>> southern germany
<<74>> no matter the country i've felt at peace
<<78>> whole healed when i have spent time
<<81>> among the stately trees of the forest
<<84>> now why do i feel this way what causes
<<86>> us to feel more connected and grounded
<<89>> when we spend time in nature it has to
<<93>> do with a chemical called
<<94>> phyton sides phyton sides are molecules
<<98>> that come from the plants of the forest
<<100>> these are molecules you may be familiar
<<102>> with such as alpha and beta pinene
<<105>> borneo acetate and limonene one of the
<<108>> trees found in the forests of northern
<<110>> united states
<<111>> and across canada is black spruce
<<114>> this oil has a woody refreshing scent
<<117>> its chemistry is largely borneo acetate
<<120>> but also has alpha pinene in significant
<<122>> amounts
<<124>> this oil helps us be in the forest when
<<126>> we just can't make it
<<128>> to the forest it is grounding and
<<130>> promotes a feeling of
<<132>> calmness and relaxation it soothes
<<135>> irritations
<<136>> leaving a refreshing sensation i diffuse
<<139>> this oil several times a week if the
<<142>> forest
<<143>> just just did not make it on my schedule
<<145>> this week
<<147>> it brings nature to me in times that i
<<150>> cannot make it to her
<<152>> it helps me deal with the stressors that
<<154>> are affecting all of us right now
<<156>> so practice a little shinrin yoku for
<<158>> yourself sometime
<<160>> and when you can't open up your bottle
<<162>> of wax
<<163>> black spruce to take your mind and soul
<<166>> away to stand amongst those giant trees
<<169>> of the forest