I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, lots of intense pain. A TH-cam made me to go to nearby bush to meditate and bask in nature's beauty. This TH-cam explains how it helped me improve my healing. Thanks
I love what you're doing to bridge metaphysical to psychology and medical science. Tangible to the intangible. I'm definitely from the spiritualist/abstract camp and struggle at times to persuade why my practices would be beneficial to those who are more cerebral. I'm just going to share your videos! 😅💛
GOD strictly forbids occultism and spiritism! Please don't worship nature, worship our CREATOR! Accept JESUS CHRIST as your Lord and Savior today!!! Please read the Bible, listen to real theologians like Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. David Reagan and their guests - also on end times events.
I remember reading bird chirping is signaling there's no danger because birds are not chirping when there's a storm so humans are calmed down by birds singing.
My counselor told me it's hardwired into us to love being in nature/ forests . After all for millions of years we've lived in forests .Its only been in more recent times that we've lived in towns and cities. I find nature so healing.
Dr. Marks- Thank you for introducing the healing practice of forest bathing to your community. Our hope is everyone who watches your video will be inspired to try it and re-discover their connection to the natural world. In harmony, Regan and Julie at The Forest Therapy School
I HAVE DONE THIS IN JAPAN BEFORE 🇯🇵 Highly recommend it! AND ALMOST 1-MILLION SUBS!! 😯 CONGRATS 🎉 you have improved so many lives with your channels's mental health content from your very first subscriber to now, and will continue to inspire others for many years to come!! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR US 🙏 💕
GOD strictly forbids occultism and spiritism! Please don't worship nature, worship our CREATOR! Accept JESUS CHRIST as your Lord and Savior today!!! Please read the Bible, listen to real theologians like Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. David Reagan and their guests - also on end times events.
So Japan in 1980s got something right even we in Finland don't still seem to honor as much as them. Woah. Nice one Japan :) I love this. Decades before I had heard that Japan coined the term "Forest Bathing", I had a low-pay job and was in debt, so I cancelled my rent apartment deal and moved to sleep in the city woods while I worked in a low-pay job. I did that for 9 months, and that thought that someone could come kill you in the forest when you sleep, was there. Not so much when I was awake or not going to sleep, then it always felt safe. But sleeping in city woods near where people live, that's kinda making you feel somewhat unsafe. And that was the biggest problem with that experience for me. And for the record, in the factory we worked in, we had at least 100 workers, and at least one guy who worked there at that time, had already done that thing for months once too. So it's not that uncommon in Finland, but I think here people do it more for the money than for the benefits, because they don't seem to get the benefits yet, even though they will if they do it. So just wanted to share, Finland also has some people with experience on this, even though in Finland the term has not been adopted nor coined yet.
When I saw Dr. Tracey Marks and forest bathing in the same title I clicked so fast! I suffered from depression for many years. I remember one of the biggest supporters I had during the toughest days were my fellow trees. I’d go for walks no headphones no music and I found the trees to be so beautiful and soothing. They’re always around and so overlooked. I honestly feel like my walks and hikes saved me from myself during some tough times. The only tattoo I have is the one of a tree. I plan on going to Japan to do one of these famous trails. There’s documentaries on forest bathing - so interesting. Thank you for posting! 💚 🌳 🌲
You hit the nail on the head. Nature is really were we all started. It's the basics of life itself. The city is chaotic and suffocating. Also I love trees they are my friends. I have one in a park I go to that I named Spirit.
Trees are the grandfather/mother watchers of nature... Just think how much old trees have 'seen' or 'felt' as their environment has changed over 100s of years. Trees send signals through their roots to other trees near by. Loads of interesting research on trees - it blew me away! It kinda makes me sad to see a lone small tree, surrounded by concrete with no other trees near by 😔
Hi Tracy 👋 I hope my comment didn't sound as a form of privacy invasion your comment tells of a wonderful woman with a beautiful heart which led me to comment I don't normally write in the comment section but I think you deserve this complement. If you don’t mind can we be friends? Thanks God bless you….
I love to be in the forest as much as I love the beach. I hike at least twice a week to relieve stress. I would get shamed by my partner because I would use too much energy to go hike and used it as a need instead of a want due to my adhd. I’d guess having too much energy bothered my partner. I feel grounded and its very therapeutic when out in nature. It lets me press the reset button and helps me focus. Thank you for the videos dr. Marks, I find them entertaining, educational and short enough to pay attention to these important topics. So grateful 😊
There is truth in this. I like that there are guides for this. Please use guides before you step into the forest and you are unfamiliar with the surroundings. I live near a small national forest and every year tourist are hurt. Surprisingly they or their family members make comments like, “I can’t believe that there weren’t any guard rails.” It is very grounding on many levels.
I call this camping get away from everything being in the out door all problem get left behind for a few days , hunting and fishing as well has the same effect for me most of time I end up falling asleep just relaxing sitting in my tree stand or blind , I grew up playing i running around in the woods my favorite place to be just you and nature
Thank you so much for your videos Tracey! You are a great teacher and i love the wide range of topics you talk on. I share your videos with my clients. Many of them have been so helpful to me. I'm truly grateful, thank you! ❤
This seems like a silly idea quite honestly, but after doing it for awhile I can feel some benefit. I also get a bit of exercise and that also helps my mood. I am fortunate to live in a town with hiking trails that have lots of trees.
This is truly impressive. I've been out in the forest before a few times, and I can agree it helps both medical and psychological benefits long-term. I wonder if anyone's done any desert exposure research. The Mojave, out away from people, is great too. Out in the desert, at least 6 miles away from any other human, there's no light pollution and you can see the Milky Way. The hot day / freezing night somehow helps too, but I'm not sure how to articulate it.
Nans Zoo 1 second ago I used to go to the beach around dusk and just sit watching the waves roll in to calm myself down while my young daughters ran around like maniacs screaming and releasing all their pent-up energy from being in school and daycare all day. Sometimes there would be a storm out to sea which was even better. The three of us lived in a small one-bedroom apartment for two years ... This was how I coped.
This is great! I KNEW it had to be those trees! Trees are special! I've been doing this for years and didn't know it had a "term". Not in an "actual forest" but park settings, countryside settings, visuals of beaches and nature. Also making meditation vids myself. Thank you again, Dr. Marks! I appreciate your content!
The fact that I drove to a wooded park for lunch and this video just uploaded is the synchronicities in life I need.😌 And the Atlanta reference was supremely unexpected yet fully hilarious!😆
Amid the pandemic I have started touching the ground in the woods closest to my neighbourhood. Then I have started touching the trees intentionally. And then at times I would rest my head on or hug a tree. After a couple of minutes I can feel even the most subtle tensions melt away! There is definitely something that our body reconnects to when in contact with nature.
GOD strictly forbids occultism and spiritism! Please don't worship nature, worship our CREATOR! Accept JESUS CHRIST as your Lord and Savior today!!! Please read the Bible, listen to real theologians like Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. David Reagan and their guests - also on end times events.
I've been getting it all in one from petrichor. The first rain always brings me happiness through out all my senses. The smell of the popped specific chemical stuff from when the rain hit the heat on the ground. I always greedily inhale it. If only there were a perfume with this kind od smell. And then, the rhythmic sound of the rain. On the rooftop, on the street, or the one knocking on the my window. It spoils my ears. They adore it so much. And at last, the view. The rain, to me, is always like an endless curtain covering all surfaces of Mother Earth. It showers her with the love it pours on her. It makes her smile and grow all the things that lives on her. ( Skaista Lynn, 2022)
I love the forest! And I do take my prayer walks there with God. I look to the greeness of the tree closely, taking a leaf in my hand. Or gliding my hands over the prickly bark & smelling it. I like when it's raining lightly too! I feel so relaxed & calm especially I can feel God in His creation. Being in nature helps me to see what a beautiful Creator we have.
Hi Lorelle 👋 I hope my comment didn't sound as a form of privacy invasion your comment tells of a wonderful woman with a beautiful heart which led me to comment I don't normally write in the comment section but I think you deserve this complement. If you don’t mind can we be friends? Thanks God bless you….
I walk in forest every day with my dog if I feel anxiety it makes me feel so much better I absolutely love my woodland walk I love the trees and hearing the birds whistling
My bf and I went hiking in CA and actually found a hot spring, it was just the right temp. Not too cold and not too hot. It was amazing. Would def do it again and again!
Dr. Tracy, if you read this, I just want to thank you. I was watching Rich Roll’s podcast with Lisa Miller on the neuroscience of spirituality. Been struggling with depression for a few months now. Got better with sertraline... But I definitely feel like something is missing (I’m not religious and certainly don’t want to be. Which doesn’t mean I refuse spirituality). Well, all this is important to share because I’ve been interested in shinrin-yoku for a while now and I’ve been reading a lot about it. When I stopped watching Rich’s podcast (like 20min ago) I thought “well, I just wish the universe could talk to me in some way. Maybe I need to connect with nature and actually start going to the forest”. Then I immediately refreshed my TH-cam feed and this video instantly showed up. Maybe this irony, coincidence, situation (whatever you wanna call it) is not so random as it sounds...? I don’t know, but I think this was beautiful in some way and I wanted to share with you. It made me hopeful. :)
At first I was disappointed that you weren’t referring to a literal bath but the topic itself was so interesting it’s hard to be let down haha. Science and nature always blows my mind! Thank you for sharing.
For me, getting involved in outdoor sports(MTB,rockclimbing, hiking) has had a hugely positive impact on my life. I have inattentive ADHD, only recently realized at 34 years old. I started doing outdoor sports about 10 years ago. Now looking back, now having some understanding of mental health and more specifically ADHD . I can see why it has had such positive effects. Time outdoors✅ Spend time with positive minded people✅ Making more effort to eat healthy and rest well ✅ Setting goals and achieving them✅ Confidence boost✅ Natural dopamine hit✅ Very easy to get in to flow state, and 100%focus. ✅ And loads of time spent in forests ✅. 😁 Thanks for posting your videos! Ive learned so much about myself from your videos 🙏
3:44 mirror neurons. Isn't the forest just stimulating these to create a sense of Wellness in ourselves. Was to become suddenly silent or an aggressive noise being made went to feel goods from your Forest bath wash away in a sea of stress hormones?
Haven't watched the video yet, but maybe it's the proper place to express interest in _rural therapeutic communities_ , like farms or places with some sort of cottage industry - in contrast to the 'consumer culture' and 'service economy' of professional psychotherapy. I do have communities like 'Camphill' for the disabled in mind, prevalent in 20th century Britain - but one can wonder whether there's a history and subculture in the South, despite or maybe especially due to it's colonial past (e.g. relating to civil rights movement initiatives or 'traditions'). Sometimes, observing that certain places exist, offers a sense of realistic hope.
Hello Dr. Marks, I've enjoyed your videos since I discovered them on TH-cam a few months ago and I've begun to rethink behavioral psychology as a result. If you're so inclined, one topic I'd like to see you cover in a future video is how the design, layout and efficiency of our environments can affect our behavior, positively and negatively. I've lived in several cities around the United States and visited dozens more, as well as quite a few around the world. In the most violent, impoverished, and unhealthy places, I have found one constant: poor urban design and infrastructure. In places where there is a high crime rate, particularly where people of color are affected, the thoroughfares are congested, loud arteries that extend for miles and are literal feet from where people live and raise families but there seems to be little connection between the homes and community activity. There are businesses and foot traffic, but people are hindered by auto traffic that is poorly regulated and it all seems very unfriendly to children, the elderly and the disabled. Worse, public transit is underfunded, unreliable and when it is there it only adds to the congestion. Many of the businesses also serve shoddy food or sell cheap products that are of little use or do not last long. By contrast, in cities where crime is low, the communities are designed in a highly functional manner. Traffic is low, commerce and residences appear to function almost in tandem with one another, and everything seems to be designed around families, and are not barriers to the elderly or disabled. Businesses in these places tend to cater to the basic needs of people and sell goods and services that are beneficial. Public transit is efficient and more dependent on walking and bicycling. The exception to this would be suburbs that lie on major highways outside of cities. They are low-crime, but they are historically designed to keep their residents terrified of inner-city dwellers. I say all this to say that in poorly designed cities, the inefficiency causes an artificial landscape of anxiety, which leads to mass psychological dysfunction, and ultimately to a repetitive cycle of it (the only real appeal is that it is lower cost). But in well-designed places, planners make it easy for life to happen by minimizing auto traffic, mandating efficient transit, and emphasizing freedom of pedestrian movement, as well as creating an environment where residences are more directly involved with the general community (the economic hindrance is that it is higher cost). So I would like to hear your thoughts on whether or not better city planning would be advantageous for urban psychology and if many of the emotional problems that city dwellers must deal with can be addressed by simply designing a better living environment. Thank you.
Even a good house in a good area can be the worst thing for your mental health. Something else to consider is what happens in that household itself: did trauma take place in it? can you see the results of the past trauma even if things have been sorted out (like something broken due to someone in the past lashing out at you?). When things like this happen in a household, no matter how well designed the household is, it can feel as if the house is a living example of your pain. People who’ve went through this will associate the house with bad memories no matter if it’s well designed or not. (I am no professional and this is based off my own experience and things I have learned from others.)
Hi Katharine 👋 I hope my comment didn't sound as a form of privacy invasion your comment tells of a wonderful woman with a beautiful heart which led me to comment I don't normally write in the comment section but I think you deserve this complement. If you don’t mind can we be friends? Thanks God bless you….
Last few days all I have in my mind is that I need to go to the woods and spend time alone, from the moment I wake up till I go to bed.. I'm "highly intuitive person" and last one year was so much stress and my mental health was never so bad. Actually I never had any mental problems, depression or anything but now.. it's easier to say what is good still. My physical health is actually more than just good, always been so, only sickness I had was the one that every child has to go through. Never had any other health problems, thankful for that. From girl with no other obligations but to have fun and study, I got married, love my husband and he is amazing to me, but since he got sick I must do all, while he looks at TV in the bed. I'm happy to be able to help him but I notice that I sometimes leave him to sleep longer just so I can be in silence.. So tomorrow I'm going to the woods, alone.. I feel I need it and this video confirms that. 🍀♥️🇨🇭
Hi Sandra 👋 I hope my comment didn't sound as a form of privacy invasion your comment tells of a wonderful woman with a beautiful heart which led me to comment I don't normally write in the comment section but I think you deserve this complement. If you don’t mind can we be friends? Thanks God bless you….
when I was in college in the '90s and also raising a young family, I would sometimes take "time-off" from my responsibilities when I was overwhelmed or stressed and go sit in nature somewhere to try to regain my equilibrium and focus. Sometimes I took my books and studied, or wrote out whatever was stressing to me at that time, other times I just sat and watched the natural and man-made world go by. I almost always was able to regroup and move on with my responsibilities after my time-out in a calmer, more effective, and loving manner. Eventually, I just started studying outside as much as I could in between classes and family responsibilities and would take my daughters to parks often where they would run around the playground for a while while I read with one eye on them and one on my textbook, then we would all take a walk in the woods or around a lake.
It's weird tho something about a natural untouched environment. It's a deep connection to our souls. It calms our minds relaxes our bodies. Like I feel pity for those who are just stuck in big cities.. and have never experienced the bliss of the mountains and natural habitats.
Thank you so much for this video on forest bathing ❤ I am actually in my 2nd year units of a Bachelor of Psychological Science and I literally just did an assessment for an aged care elective unit of a 5 minute PowerPoint presentation on a non-pharmacological approach that is beneficial for those with dementia. Due to what I had learnt about forest bathing in a previous psychology unit, I tried to find research that suggested benefits of forest bathing for those with dementia or mild cognitive impairment but the closest I could find was associated with dementia prevention. But thru all my research, I didn't even pick up on one crucial point: the trees actually release chemicals that are taken into our bodies and then that is one big reason why we see the multitude of benefits associated with forest bathing. Lol, so I think I know what my 3rd year research design is going to entail- forest bathing effects on those with dementia and MCI. Many thanks to you again so much for this and your many other videos that help us learn new information or solidify the information more into our memory banks ❤
I have the honor of living in Western North Carolina and I can attest, I day in the forest away from city smells and noises can change your state of mind for the better.
I've been hooked on your videos recently. There is something so soothing about you. And you have an admiring amount of passion for what you do. Thank you for your amazing videos.
Thank you so much for making mental health videos it’s helped me understand my hypomania and bipolar disorder especially getting on the right medicine watching your videos excites me about learning about mental health being an LGBTQ youth person I’ve suffered with a lot of mental health problems. Each video I’m like “Yayyy A new mental-health video more learning!” 🌈Thank You A Lot🌈
You are funny, homie! Benefits from forest bathing makes sense to me. I am blessed to live in the woods. Unfortunately my symptoms have been keeping me from taking advantage of this. Thank you for this video as it might be the motivation I need to engage in my surroundings.
@drtracymarks, Could you also speak on the social and wellbeing aspect of being in relationship with nature? There is a sense of belonging that seems to develop that is so beneficial in these disconnected times. How can this sense of beloning in nature, among all the living beings, support our mental well-being?
Hi Dr. Marks, I was wondering if you'd consider talking about the placebo effect in a video if you haven't already? I couldn't find one in the playlists. What causes it and the science behind it, if any. Thank you so much, I love your content ❤️
I thought you literally meant forest bathing,when I was really young, I went with my friends family to Wisconsin to a really old homestead deep in the forest,no electricity or heating or plumbing,just a water pump outside,a big metal trough type bathtub for bathing outdoors,it was such beautiful property,we bathed daily by jumping off the bridge in the river.
That sounds wonderful. It's funny you mentioned literal though, when I first heard the term I thought it meant being in a forest naked. I was a tiny bit disappointed to see that no nakedness is necessary. 😃
Well, yes I have lol. In NH we have many mountain streams. There are several areas where you can sit on a nice smooth rock and just allow the fresh mountain water rinse away all the human filth. Its an amazing feeling on a hot day. Bit chilly in the winter but well worth it ;)
that's nice NHChicky. WWe have some friends who LOVE to hike, even when it's cold. At first I didn't understand why they were so committed to it but now I do.
One small reflection Doctor: I have studied the writings of C.G. Jung for all of my adult life.. he states throughout that we are the carriers, in the depths of our unconscious, of the history and earliest memories of mankind, i.e. the history of our species (the archetypes). He commented that walking in nature re-binds us to our very origins, where walking in forest environments re-awakens the realisation that we belong to, and are part of, nature. What you say is brilliant, but there may be a Jungian connection as well....
Hi Edie 👋 I hope my comment didn't sound as a form of privacy invasion your comment tells of a wonderful woman with a beautiful heart which led me to comment I don't normally write in the comment section but I think you deserve this complement. If you don’t mind can we be friends? Thanks God bless you….
The light filtering through the green leaves gives off a special green, healing light, also.
I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, lots of intense pain. A TH-cam made me to go to nearby bush to meditate and bask in nature's beauty. This TH-cam explains how it helped me improve my healing. Thanks
I love what you're doing to bridge metaphysical to psychology and medical science. Tangible to the intangible. I'm definitely from the spiritualist/abstract camp and struggle at times to persuade why my practices would be beneficial to those who are more cerebral. I'm just going to share your videos! 😅💛
Thanks April. I'm overdue for one of my Freudian discussions. 😀
I feel you, April. Dr. Marks is informative. As I watched this video, I kept saying, "Damn, she's spitting knowledge."
GOD strictly forbids occultism and spiritism! Please don't worship nature, worship our CREATOR! Accept JESUS CHRIST as your Lord and Savior today!!! Please read the Bible, listen to real theologians like Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. David Reagan and their guests - also on end times events.
@@albertafarmer8638Loving nature isn't "worshipping" it. And not everyone believes in the Bible.
I remember reading bird chirping is signaling there's no danger because birds are not chirping when there's a storm so humans are calmed down by birds singing.
I walk most days alongside trees, it always makes me feel better!
Thanks for sharing. They really are peaceful.
I love your name, Middle aged teenager. kindred spirit
Easy to understand for me. It makes sense, we humans started out in the wild, it’s our natural habitat.
This explains why I love camping so much! I feel so stress free and rejuvenated when I get back from a trip.
Yes this does explain that. I didn't get the appeal of hiking and camping (I've always been a beach person). But now I get it.
My counselor told me it's hardwired into us to love being in nature/ forests . After all for millions of years we've lived in forests .Its only been in more recent times that we've lived in towns and cities. I find nature so healing.
Dr. Marks- Thank you for introducing the healing practice of forest bathing to your community. Our hope is everyone who watches your video will be inspired to try it and re-discover their connection to the natural world. In harmony, Regan and Julie at The Forest Therapy School
Camping will give you a real dose of it taking a week of cold showers will really make you appreciate the warm shower at home
I'll bet it does 😃
I HAVE DONE THIS IN JAPAN BEFORE 🇯🇵 Highly recommend it! AND ALMOST 1-MILLION SUBS!! 😯 CONGRATS 🎉 you have improved so many lives with your channels's mental health content from your very first subscriber to now, and will continue to inspire others for many years to come!! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR US 🙏 💕
Oh yes Dr. Justin in Japan!! You get the real deal!
Thanks a lot, it's been a fun road and I still have more to come. ❤️😊
Lmao 1:25 you're a mess Doc.
Love love love your channel!
GOD strictly forbids occultism and spiritism! Please don't worship nature, worship our CREATOR! Accept JESUS CHRIST as your Lord and Savior today!!! Please read the Bible, listen to real theologians like Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. David Reagan and their guests - also on end times events.
It’s the killa mike comment for me! 😄
Whenever I’m really stressed or depressed or anxious. I lay in a hammock in my backyard and it always helps me feel so much better.
That sounds super relaxing.
So Japan in 1980s got something right even we in Finland don't still seem to honor as much as them. Woah. Nice one Japan :) I love this.
Decades before I had heard that Japan coined the term "Forest Bathing", I had a low-pay job and was in debt, so I cancelled my rent apartment deal and moved to sleep in the city woods while I worked in a low-pay job. I did that for 9 months, and that thought that someone could come kill you in the forest when you sleep, was there. Not so much when I was awake or not going to sleep, then it always felt safe. But sleeping in city woods near where people live, that's kinda making you feel somewhat unsafe. And that was the biggest problem with that experience for me. And for the record, in the factory we worked in, we had at least 100 workers, and at least one guy who worked there at that time, had already done that thing for months once too. So it's not that uncommon in Finland, but I think here people do it more for the money than for the benefits, because they don't seem to get the benefits yet, even though they will if they do it.
So just wanted to share, Finland also has some people with experience on this, even though in Finland the term has not been adopted nor coined yet.
When I saw Dr. Tracey Marks and forest bathing in the same title I clicked so fast!
I suffered from depression for many years. I remember one of the biggest supporters I had during the toughest days were my fellow trees. I’d go for walks no headphones no music and I found the trees to be so beautiful and soothing. They’re always around and so overlooked. I honestly feel like my walks and hikes saved me from myself during some tough times. The only tattoo I have is the one of a tree. I plan on going to Japan to do one of these famous trails. There’s documentaries on forest bathing - so interesting. Thank you for posting! 💚 🌳 🌲
I have always dreamed of a home in the forest.
Yes yes yes
I want to live in a treehouse
You hit the nail on the head. Nature is really were we all started. It's the basics of life itself. The city is chaotic and suffocating. Also I love trees they are my friends. I have one in a park I go to that I named Spirit.
I have tree friends as well!
Trees are the grandfather/mother watchers of nature... Just think how much old trees have 'seen' or 'felt' as their environment has changed over 100s of years. Trees send signals through their roots to other trees near by. Loads of interesting research on trees - it blew me away! It kinda makes me sad to see a lone small tree, surrounded by concrete with no other trees near by 😔
@@Mardi-Shorts-DevonGirlUK I feel the exact same way. I love to listen to them too.
Hi Tracy 👋 I hope my comment didn't sound as a form of privacy invasion your comment tells of a wonderful woman with a beautiful heart which led me to comment I don't normally write in the comment section but I think you deserve this complement. If you don’t mind can we be friends? Thanks God bless you….
🥴😂
I love to be in the forest as much as I love the beach. I hike at least twice a week to relieve stress. I would get shamed by my partner because I would use too much energy to go hike and used it as a need instead of a want due to my adhd. I’d guess having too much energy bothered my partner. I feel grounded and its very therapeutic when out in nature. It lets me press the reset button and helps me focus. Thank you for the videos dr. Marks, I find them entertaining, educational and short enough to pay attention to these important topics. So grateful 😊
This is why I love being in nature. Thank you for this video and all your videos.
You're so welcome Funzee 😊❤️
Our forests are truly a blessing.
There is truth in this. I like that there are guides for this. Please use guides before you step into the forest and you are unfamiliar with the surroundings. I live near a small national forest and every year tourist are hurt. Surprisingly they or their family members make comments like, “I can’t believe that there weren’t any guard rails.” It is very grounding on many levels.
I have an outdoor shower at my mountain cabin in Colorado. I feel incredible taking showers in the woods. 🙏🏼❤️
I call this camping get away from everything being in the out door all problem get left behind for a few days , hunting and fishing as well has the same effect for me most of time I end up falling asleep just relaxing sitting in my tree stand or blind , I grew up playing i running around in the woods my favorite place to be just you and nature
Thank you so much for your videos Tracey! You are a great teacher and i love the wide range of topics you talk on. I share your videos with my clients. Many of them have been so helpful to me. I'm truly grateful, thank you! ❤
This seems like a silly idea quite honestly, but after doing it for awhile I can feel some benefit. I also get a bit of exercise and that also helps my mood. I am fortunate to live in a town with hiking trails that have lots of trees.
This is truly impressive. I've been out in the forest before a few times, and I can agree it helps both medical and psychological benefits long-term. I wonder if anyone's done any desert exposure research. The Mojave, out away from people, is great too.
Out in the desert, at least 6 miles away from any other human, there's no light pollution and you can see the Milky Way. The hot day / freezing night somehow helps too, but I'm not sure how to articulate it.
Nans Zoo
1 second ago
I used to go to the beach around dusk and just sit watching the waves roll in to calm myself down while my young daughters ran around like maniacs screaming and releasing all their pent-up energy from being in school and daycare all day. Sometimes there would be a storm out to sea which was even better. The three of us lived in a small one-bedroom apartment for two years ... This was how I coped.
This is great! I KNEW it had to be those trees! Trees are special! I've been doing this for years and didn't know it had a "term". Not in an "actual forest" but park settings, countryside settings, visuals of beaches and nature. Also making meditation vids myself. Thank you again, Dr. Marks! I appreciate your content!
You're so welcome Kelly MC!👍🏽
I've been forrest bathing since 1971... 51 years. We call em "the woods" here in the NC mountains.
Absolutely my favorite place to be🥰
The fact that I drove to a wooded park for lunch and this video just uploaded is the synchronicities in life I need.😌
And the Atlanta reference was supremely unexpected yet fully hilarious!😆
I love the synchronicities. A little scary though...
Amid the pandemic I have started touching the ground in the woods closest to my neighbourhood. Then I have started touching the trees intentionally. And then at times I would rest my head on or hug a tree. After a couple of minutes I can feel even the most subtle tensions melt away! There is definitely something that our body reconnects to when in contact with nature.
GOD strictly forbids occultism and spiritism! Please don't worship nature, worship our CREATOR! Accept JESUS CHRIST as your Lord and Savior today!!! Please read the Bible, listen to real theologians like Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. David Reagan and their guests - also on end times events.
I've been getting it all in one from petrichor. The first rain always brings me happiness through out all my senses. The smell of the popped specific chemical stuff from when the rain hit the heat on the ground. I always greedily inhale it. If only there were a perfume with this kind od smell. And then, the rhythmic sound of the rain. On the rooftop, on the street, or the one knocking on the my window. It spoils my ears. They adore it so much. And at last, the view. The rain, to me, is always like an endless curtain covering all surfaces of Mother Earth. It showers her with the love it pours on her. It makes her smile and grow all the things that lives on her. ( Skaista Lynn, 2022)
Oh never mind the typos. Unedited version. Lol.
Thank you, Ponci.
Nashwa: How can you write like that?
Poetically? Thesaurus. Lol.
Felix: Thesaurus? Apanya yang dari thesaurus? Kayaknya kata-kata di atas yang biasa aja.
I love the forest! And I do take my prayer walks there with God. I look to the greeness of the tree closely, taking a leaf in my hand. Or gliding my hands over the prickly bark & smelling it. I like when it's raining lightly too! I feel so relaxed & calm especially I can feel God in His creation. Being in nature helps me to see what a beautiful Creator we have.
Hi Lorelle 👋 I hope my comment didn't sound as a form of privacy invasion your comment tells of a wonderful woman with a beautiful heart which led me to comment I don't normally write in the comment section but I think you deserve this complement. If you don’t mind can we be friends? Thanks God bless you….
I walk in forest every day with my dog if I feel anxiety it makes me feel so much better I absolutely love my woodland walk I love the trees and hearing the birds whistling
Love your sense of humor. There is at least one LOL per video video :)) Thanks for the great content!
Thank you Ms. Tracey. I hope you continue to stay blessed, to bless others.
My bf and I went hiking in CA and actually found a hot spring, it was just the right temp. Not too cold and not too hot. It was amazing. Would def do it again and again!
Dr. Tracy, if you read this, I just want to thank you. I was watching Rich Roll’s podcast with Lisa Miller on the neuroscience of spirituality. Been struggling with depression for a few months now. Got better with sertraline... But I definitely feel like something is missing (I’m not religious and certainly don’t want to be. Which doesn’t mean I refuse spirituality). Well, all this is important to share because I’ve been interested in shinrin-yoku for a while now and I’ve been reading a lot about it. When I stopped watching Rich’s podcast (like 20min ago) I thought “well, I just wish the universe could talk to me in some way. Maybe I need to connect with nature and actually start going to the forest”. Then I immediately refreshed my TH-cam feed and this video instantly showed up. Maybe this irony, coincidence, situation (whatever you wanna call it) is not so random as it sounds...? I don’t know, but I think this was beautiful in some way and I wanted to share with you. It made me hopeful. :)
At first I was disappointed that you weren’t referring to a literal bath but the topic itself was so interesting it’s hard to be let down haha. Science and nature always blows my mind! Thank you for sharing.
For me, getting involved in outdoor sports(MTB,rockclimbing, hiking) has had a hugely positive impact on my life.
I have inattentive ADHD, only recently realized at 34 years old.
I started doing outdoor sports about 10 years ago.
Now looking back, now having some understanding of mental health and more specifically ADHD . I can see why it has had such positive effects.
Time outdoors✅
Spend time with positive minded people✅
Making more effort to eat healthy and rest well ✅
Setting goals and achieving them✅
Confidence boost✅
Natural dopamine hit✅
Very easy to get in to flow state, and 100%focus. ✅
And loads of time spent in forests ✅. 😁
Thanks for posting your videos! Ive learned so much about myself from your videos 🙏
3:44 mirror neurons. Isn't the forest just stimulating these to create a sense of Wellness in ourselves. Was to become suddenly silent or an aggressive noise being made went to feel goods from your Forest bath wash away in a sea of stress hormones?
How interesting! I love this.
Dr. Marks - you are great!
Incredible what happens to our bodies and minds when we connect with our planet
You're absolutely right Bunny bee! 😊
So glad you brought attention to this therapy. You don't miss much and I love your mission to help others:)
Haven't watched the video yet, but maybe it's the proper place to express interest in _rural therapeutic communities_ , like farms or places with some sort of cottage industry - in contrast to the 'consumer culture' and 'service economy' of professional psychotherapy.
I do have communities like 'Camphill' for the disabled in mind, prevalent in 20th century Britain - but one can wonder whether there's a history and subculture in the South, despite or maybe especially due to it's colonial past (e.g. relating to civil rights movement initiatives or 'traditions').
Sometimes, observing that certain places exist, offers a sense of realistic hope.
Hello Dr. Marks, I've enjoyed your videos since I discovered them on TH-cam a few months ago and I've begun to rethink behavioral psychology as a result. If you're so inclined, one topic I'd like to see you cover in a future video is how the design, layout and efficiency of our environments can affect our behavior, positively and negatively.
I've lived in several cities around the United States and visited dozens more, as well as quite a few around the world. In the most violent, impoverished, and unhealthy places, I have found one constant: poor urban design and infrastructure.
In places where there is a high crime rate, particularly where people of color are affected, the thoroughfares are congested, loud arteries that extend for miles and are literal feet from where people live and raise families but there seems to be little connection between the homes and community activity. There are businesses and foot traffic, but people are hindered by auto traffic that is poorly regulated and it all seems very unfriendly to children, the elderly and the disabled. Worse, public transit is underfunded, unreliable and when it is there it only adds to the congestion. Many of the businesses also serve shoddy food or sell cheap products that are of little use or do not last long.
By contrast, in cities where crime is low, the communities are designed in a highly functional manner. Traffic is low, commerce and residences appear to function almost in tandem with one another, and everything seems to be designed around families, and are not barriers to the elderly or disabled. Businesses in these places tend to cater to the basic needs of people and sell goods and services that are beneficial. Public transit is efficient and more dependent on walking and bicycling. The exception to this would be suburbs that lie on major highways outside of cities. They are low-crime, but they are historically designed to keep their residents terrified of inner-city dwellers.
I say all this to say that in poorly designed cities, the inefficiency causes an artificial landscape of anxiety, which leads to mass psychological dysfunction, and ultimately to a repetitive cycle of it (the only real appeal is that it is lower cost). But in well-designed places, planners make it easy for life to happen by minimizing auto traffic, mandating efficient transit, and emphasizing freedom of pedestrian movement, as well as creating an environment where residences are more directly involved with the general community (the economic hindrance is that it is higher cost).
So I would like to hear your thoughts on whether or not better city planning would be advantageous for urban psychology and if many of the emotional problems that city dwellers must deal with can be addressed by simply designing a better living environment.
Thank you.
Even a good house in a good area can be the worst thing for your mental health. Something else to consider is what happens in that household itself: did trauma take place in it? can you see the results of the past trauma even if things have been sorted out (like something broken due to someone in the past lashing out at you?). When things like this happen in a household, no matter how well designed the household is, it can feel as if the house is a living example of your pain. People who’ve went through this will associate the house with bad memories no matter if it’s well designed or not.
(I am no professional and this is based off my own experience and things I have learned from others.)
I am not disagreeing with your statement by the way, simply adding onto it.
Watching nature sound videos on TH-cam is really helpful.
Hi Katharine 👋 I hope my comment didn't sound as a form of privacy invasion your comment tells of a wonderful woman with a beautiful heart which led me to comment I don't normally write in the comment section but I think you deserve this complement. If you don’t mind can we be friends? Thanks God bless you….
Thank you for doing this video.
I did some reading in 2020.
I have being out in nature since 2020..That has being my feel good place.
That's great. Keep enjoy nature 👍🏽
I really enjoy & learn from your videos. Thank You for the information that you provide.
Thank you for confirming that I am one with nature.
I knew this to be true, but you just explained the ‘why’ its true. Thank you! I love your videos!
There's nothing like a good "why" answer. You're so welcome! 😊
Last few days all I have in my mind is that I need to go to the woods and spend time alone, from the moment I wake up till I go to bed.. I'm "highly intuitive person" and last one year was so much stress and my mental health was never so bad. Actually I never had any mental problems, depression or anything but now.. it's easier to say what is good still. My physical health is actually more than just good, always been so, only sickness I had was the one that every child has to go through. Never had any other health problems, thankful for that. From girl with no other obligations but to have fun and study, I got married, love my husband and he is amazing to me, but since he got sick I must do all, while he looks at TV in the bed. I'm happy to be able to help him but I notice that I sometimes leave him to sleep longer just so I can be in silence.. So tomorrow I'm going to the woods, alone.. I feel I need it and this video confirms that. 🍀♥️🇨🇭
I will try leaving phone home or at least off and focus on surroundings next time. Thanks for providing these beneficial tips!
Hi Sandra 👋 I hope my comment didn't sound as a form of privacy invasion your comment tells of a wonderful woman with a beautiful heart which led me to comment I don't normally write in the comment section but I think you deserve this complement. If you don’t mind can we be friends? Thanks God bless you….
when I was in college in the '90s and also raising a young family, I would sometimes take "time-off" from my responsibilities when I was overwhelmed or stressed and go sit in nature somewhere to try to regain my equilibrium and focus. Sometimes I took my books and studied, or wrote out whatever was stressing to me at that time, other times I just sat and watched the natural and man-made world go by. I almost always was able to regroup and move on with my responsibilities after my time-out in a calmer, more effective, and loving manner. Eventually, I just started studying outside as much as I could in between classes and family responsibilities and would take my daughters to parks often where they would run around the playground for a while while I read with one eye on them and one on my textbook, then we would all take a walk in the woods or around a lake.
It's weird tho something about a natural untouched environment. It's a deep connection to our souls. It calms our minds relaxes our bodies. Like I feel pity for those who are just stuck in big cities.. and have never experienced the bliss of the mountains and natural habitats.
You are so accurate. Thank you for the post and video.
Good morning, always the best videos on here I always look forward to my Wednesday thank you so much another great job.
Thanks a lot Richard I'm so glad you look forward to them! 😊❤️
It’s the reflected red & green light from the plants leaves
Makes me imagine that maybe the komorebi in Aokigahara is just so immersive that some people get lost there
Thank you so much for this video on forest bathing ❤ I am actually in my 2nd year units of a Bachelor of Psychological Science and I literally just did an assessment for an aged care elective unit of a 5 minute PowerPoint presentation on a non-pharmacological approach that is beneficial for those with dementia. Due to what I had learnt about forest bathing in a previous psychology unit, I tried to find research that suggested benefits of forest bathing for those with dementia or mild cognitive impairment but the closest I could find was associated with dementia prevention. But thru all my research, I didn't even pick up on one crucial point: the trees actually release chemicals that are taken into our bodies and then that is one big reason why we see the multitude of benefits associated with forest bathing. Lol, so I think I know what my 3rd year research design is going to entail- forest bathing effects on those with dementia and MCI. Many thanks to you again so much for this and your many other videos that help us learn new information or solidify the information more into our memory banks ❤
I am from KASHMIR we have enough forest area here
It really works
My personal experience
also eating something while walking is part of shinrin yoku medicine
Oh I didn't know that. Thanks 👍🏽
Good job Doc bridging nature with psychology 🌻🌻🌻
Thank you Dr. Tracy!
You're welcome Lorelle!
I have the honor of living in Western North Carolina and I can attest, I day in the forest away from city smells and noises can change your state of mind for the better.
Oh that sounds so wonderful!
amen forest bathing is my favorite hobby
I do this every morning. Everything's she said in this video is accurate
Every morning? That sounds wonderful!
When she said "He's a homie here in Atlanta" I deeply resonated with her.
I've been hooked on your videos recently. There is something so soothing about you. And you have an admiring amount of passion for what you do. Thank you for your amazing videos.
I love this😍
It's amazing how God set all of this up!!
I get the same benefits when I'm in the middle of a megacity with skyscrapers all around me 😍
Thank you, Doctor, for sharing your knowledge. I am excited to learn more about this. Are there books you know of in this subject that you can list?
Thank you so much for making mental health videos it’s helped me understand my hypomania and bipolar disorder especially getting on the right medicine watching your videos excites me about learning about mental health being an LGBTQ youth person I’ve suffered with a lot of mental health problems. Each video I’m like “Yayyy A new mental-health video more learning!” 🌈Thank You A Lot🌈
You are funny, homie! Benefits from forest bathing makes sense to me. I am blessed to live in the woods. Unfortunately my symptoms have been keeping me from taking advantage of this. Thank you for this video as it might be the motivation I need to engage in my surroundings.
Yes I hope you can get out and consume some nature, homie. 😊
Thank you. I will do the master for forest bathing guide and i am excited!! Hope this will be my main job :)
Interesting video, now this explains why walking to a park or a place that looks natural feels relaxing 👀
Yes indeed. This helped me see why people love hiking (and I guess camping, but that's taking it too far for me 😃)
Thank you very much for providing the subtitles in Portuguese. I love your channel and I love your videos.
Greetings from Brazil 🌹🌹
You're welcome. I use the translation tool provided by TH-cam. I hope they're not too far off. 😊
Doc I'll take your word on it, yo I'm not messing with no woods but I do have a few trees in my backyard...
I’m ready for a Dr. Tracy Marks tee shirt!
@drtracymarks, Could you also speak on the social and wellbeing aspect of being in relationship with nature? There is a sense of belonging that seems to develop that is so beneficial in these disconnected times. How can this sense of beloning in nature, among all the living beings, support our mental well-being?
THE RAPPER 🤣🤣🤣😭 I absolutely love love love you!!
I love your content -- especially the unexpected humour. :-) (I laughed out loud at the "homie from Atlanta" reference.)
Hi Dr. Marks, I was wondering if you'd consider talking about the placebo effect in a video if you haven't already? I couldn't find one in the playlists. What causes it and the science behind it, if any. Thank you so much, I love your content ❤️
That shout-out to killer Mike🔥🔥🔥 you are goals Dr. Marks!!!
Fascinating.
Whatever it takes for you to realize that we are already complete... we lack nothing... just go and be... peace!
Thank you Dr Tracey
You're welcome Polly!
Awesome 😎 I ❤️your videos . Because you always informative information to improve living.
I thought you literally meant forest bathing,when I was really young, I went with my friends family to Wisconsin to a really old homestead deep in the forest,no electricity or heating or plumbing,just a water pump outside,a big metal trough type bathtub for bathing outdoors,it was such beautiful property,we bathed daily by jumping off the bridge in the river.
That sounds wonderful. It's funny you mentioned literal though, when I first heard the term I thought it meant being in a forest naked. I was a tiny bit disappointed to see that no nakedness is necessary. 😃
Well, yes I have lol. In NH we have many mountain streams. There are several areas where you can sit on a nice smooth rock and just allow the fresh mountain water rinse away all the human filth. Its an amazing feeling on a hot day. Bit chilly in the winter but well worth it ;)
that's nice NHChicky. WWe have some friends who LOVE to hike, even when it's cold. At first I didn't understand why they were so committed to it but now I do.
I wasn't expecting the Killer Mike shutout. I love this woman lol
Hi Dr. Marks! I Can you do a video on Archetypes? Can you explain the 12 Archetypes? thx! :)
I enjoy this new vibrant format. Keep making such informative and interesting content!
Thanks Adam are you talking about my background? I'm glad you like it. I like to change things up from time to time.
Dr. Tracy Marks please tell me the reasons behind body picking and how to stop it.
I need to do a follow up of that video. Let me see what I can come up with.
One small reflection Doctor: I have studied the writings of C.G. Jung for all of my adult life.. he states throughout that we are the carriers, in the depths of our unconscious, of the history and earliest memories of mankind, i.e. the history of our species (the archetypes). He commented that walking in nature re-binds us to our very origins, where walking in forest environments re-awakens the realisation that we belong to, and are part of, nature. What you say is brilliant, but there may be a Jungian connection as well....
Loved this video! It’s winter here and I miss the outdoors! Time for a walk outside!
Just bundle up and do it! 😊
Hi Edie 👋 I hope my comment didn't sound as a form of privacy invasion your comment tells of a wonderful woman with a beautiful heart which led me to comment I don't normally write in the comment section but I think you deserve this complement. If you don’t mind can we be friends? Thanks God bless you….
I miss the trees. I lived in Colorado . And had to move back to Arizona . Cause of the economy. Just being in the trees make me feel so peaceful..
I hope you get to take some trips.
Thanks
How to come out of antidepressants plz 🙏 make a video