FOREST BATHING 🌲

Forest Bathing:

Tips on forest bathing + the science behind it.

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The goal of forest bathing is to live in the present moment while immersing your senses in nature and absorb an atmosphere of plant-produced monoterpenes. Forest bathing can soothe the mind and relieve stress, but here's the coolest (and scientifically proven) thing forest bathing can do: 

It charges your body with negative ions which can neutralize oxidants or free radicals, which allows your body to achieve equilibrium or homeostasis at a cellular level. Here's how it works! ⬇

It's all in the ions.

Negatively charged ions cover the Earth's surface and you can actually transfer negative electrons from these ions to your body by planting your feet on the Earth, which creates a closed circuit. This allows you to absorb negative electrons to neutralize your charge. On the other hand, everyday items that emit a positive charge include cell phones, televisions, pollution, and even wifi. These positive ions can actually cause damage to healthy cells in your body.

Science tells us why forest bathing (or grounding) is healthy:

Essentially, negative ions produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of serotonin, which help to alleviate depression, relieve stress and boost our daytime energy. Negative ions clear the air of airborne allergens such as pollen, mold spores, bacteria and viruses. They neutralize free radicals and this can have a positive effect on inflammation, immune responses, wound healing and prevention of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Here's how to forest bathe:

1. Pick a destination. The areas with the best saturation of negative ions are near water, grass or sand. You can utilize a nearby park, pond or our just your backyard! If you don't have access to these things, simply keeping houseplants, going outside after a rainstorm, taking a shower or driving with the windows down allows you to absorb more negative ions.
2. Turn off devices or keep them away from you. This will give you the best chance of relaxing and being mindful.
3. Kick off your shoes and let your toes and feet mold to the Earth's surface. Take long, deep breaths and notice what you see, hear and smell. That's it!

Use essential oils to absorb negative ions.

Diffusing certain essential oils or using a humidifier can increase the negative ions in a space.

Desert Rain Essential Oil Blend

This invigorating essential oil trio captures the fresh and earthy aroma of rain-a perfect blend for early spring. This blend is intended to be grounding and healing as it provides a burst of calming, yet refreshing energy to any room and is an instant mood booster and brain-defogger.