Edmontonians are being invited to immerse themselves in a soothing forest bath. Forest bathing is a term used to describe the act of spending time connecting with nature, something research has linked to improvements in cognition, mood, mental health and emotional well-being. The term comes from the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku. According to National Geographic, the term emerged in the 1980s as an exercise to help combat technology-related burnout and encourage reconnection with Japan’s forests. On Thursday, the City of Edmonton announced its own forest bathing program for residents to explore and build a deeper connection to the urban forest, with the goal of reducing stress and improving overall wellness. The free program includes guided sessions from trained Shinrin-yoku guides from Edmonton’s urban forestry team, offering sensory exploration, silent meditation, exploratory walking, and group and individual reflections. The sessions will be available on Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m. at parks across the city. The program will run weekly until Sept. 16. To find out more or to register for a session, visit the City of Edmonton’s website.
