Forest Bathing Might Be the Best Thing for You and Your Photography
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
Introduction
I’m not too fond of zoos. One of my earliest childhood memories was going to one and witnessing a gorilla in a cage. It sat alone staring blankly into nothing rocking back and forth spitting a regurgitated banana into a bowl then swallowing it. The captive animal repeated this mindless act over and over stuck in its grim descent into madness. This image of this broken animal has never left my mind.
This despondent primate which we share 98% of our DNA suffered from zoochosis, a mental disorder that develops in wild animals held captive. Often, the animal engages in repetitive sometimes self-destructive behavior. In short, these wild animals are driven insane being held in captivity and denied the stimulus of their native environment.
I often wondered how many of us suffer from the human equivalent of zoochosis. Humans are animals. Yet, we have separated ourselves from the natural world we continue destroying. For most of our history, we had an intimate relationship with the Earth. Our unnatural detachment from nature has now become normal and permanent for many. Despite our ever-increasing interconnected digital world, depression, anxiety, and social isolation continue to increase.
Growing up, I lived next to a national park in America. It was my sanctuary, my therapy. I was blessed to walk in the woods to hear nothing but the sounds of nature, breathe clean air, and see wild animals living how they were intended, free. I never realized how much it helped to keep me centered.
“ Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage. Someone will say, what is lost can never be saved”
Modern Urban Life
Currently, I live in the greater Tokyo (Kanto) area. The most populous megalopolis in the world, home to nearly 38 million people. Tokyo is Fantastic. It is a world-class city. It is safe, orderly, and clean. For a photographer, it is a target-rich environment. However, the daily routine of commuting on trains packed with people transfixed with their smartphones, and working in a cramped office with artificial lights, and limited open green spaces takes its toll. Daily modern life just wears you down.
Japan is still 67% covered in forest. Not surprisingly, the Japanese coined the phrase forest bathing 森林浴 (shinrin-yoku). Forest bathing is simply spending time in nature to recharge, revitalize, and reconnect. If you are familiar with the works of the American essayist and naturalist Henry David Thoreau, he espoused the same ideas more than 100 years ago. Our critical need to reconnect with nature has only increased with urbanization and diminishing green spaces.
There has been extensive research into the therapeutic benefits of a deeper connection with nature. Forest bathing, is good for both physical and mental wellbeing. It is proven to reduce stress, improve feelings of happiness as well as lower heart rates and blood pressure.
Nature photographers are well aware of the power and beauty of this planet. The simple act of reconnecting with nature can be transcending. It can also jump-start your creative vision. The forest can inspire photographers to capture the beauty and wonder of the natural world, leading to more meaningful images. Regardless of your genre of photography, a shift in perspective and a calming and inspiring atmosphere can stimulate your imagination. Forest environments are typically free from daily distractions and urban noise, allowing photographers the needed mental space for focused, mindful, and creative thinking.
Incorporating forest bathing into your routine can be a valuable way to nurture your vision and find inspiration. It's a practice that encourages a holistic approach to well-being, benefiting not only the creative process but also one's overall physical and mental health.
Conclusion
The next time you find yourself in a creative rut, instead of mindlessly going to social media and swiping through posts looking for inspiration put your phone down, pick up your camera and try going to the forest to find your voice and vision.
