On March 26 guests joined Dr. Edward W. Wilson as he discussed the therapeutic value of a guided forest therapy walk. He shared the history, mechanics, and applications for its practice.
Forest therapy emerged in Japan in the 1980s as a physiological and psychological exercise called shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere”).
People are seeking holistic approaches to increasing health and wellness now more than ever, and forest therapy has been included as part of health regimens in multiple countries, though it is gaining traction in the United States. Common components of forest therapy are walking, yoga, experiencing the forest with the five senses (seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting), meditation, herbal tea therapy, making crafts using natural materials, and appreciating the scenery in a whole sense. Forest therapy incorporates various healing elements, such as sunlight, landscape, temperature, phytoncide, food, sound, and humidity. It is commonly accompanied by the practice of Earthing, also known as grounding. Grounding is believed to allow people to directly connect their bodies with the Earth and use its natural electric charges to stabilize them for health benefits.
After the program, guests were able to ask questions and sign up as interested for a forest therapy walk guided by Dr. Wilson.
Watch a video of the program and take a look at photos below!
Dr. Wilson
In his first career, Dr. Wilson spent 37 years in Manhattan as a cosmetic dentist specializing in caring for patients with dental phobia. His second career in landscape design and nature therapy combines his love of nature, helping people achieve higher levels of health and wellness, and his training as both a spiritual director and clinician to deepen the human/nature connection. Through Trey Gardens, Dr. Wilson designs both gardens and activities in residential, commercial, and institutional settings to achieve these outcomes.
