Forest Bathing in the Desert | A Prescription to Wellness
Treat yourself to a forest bathing experience in the desert. Forest bathing includes a range of techniques designed with the intention to be present in and connected to the natural world. Forest bathing also brings benefits to mental and physical wellness. The following range of activities will help get you started.
Customize your Experience
There is no right or wrong way to have a nature experience. The most important thing to remember is to relax, slow down your pace, immerse yourself with your surroundings and tap into your senses.
- Choose your location: You can enjoy this experience in your very own backyard, or take a trip to a park.
- Gather your supplies: A few suggestions include a notebook for journaling and reflection, a sketchpad and a blanket if you want to settle in on the ground.
- Picnic: Choose a few savory items that you will find nourishing and soothing for your experience, including herbal tea, fruity beverage, seasonal fruit for a snack.
- Settle in: Begin by sitting or standing in a comfortable location and close your eyes. Slowly breathein and out, following your breath for a few minutes. Give yourself enough time to feel relaxed and free of distractions.
Experience your surroundings by tuning into the sights, sounds and smells of the desert. Begin your journey slowly and mindfully, stopping to observe plants closely, smelling fragrances, feeling the textures and noticing the patterns, shadows and the movement around you. Spend 10 to 20 minutes in your exploratory mode, and do not rush. When you feel ready, find a comfortable area to settle in.
Time for Reflection: Enjoy your picnic, and take out your journal or sketchbook, and capture how you feel. Write a poem, jot down feelings, sketch an image—whatever every feels right. Has there been a shift.
Repeat this practice as many times as you like. Forest bathing can reinvigorate you, , reconnect you to the beauty of nature and instill your connection to the natural world.
