Silvotherapy and Forest Bathing
First Published on 12th February 2022
Last Updated 24th November 2023
It has come to my attention that I really like trees and that I have come to appreciate the myriad benefits that they can bring for humans, animals and the environment. Over the last five years I have become very interested in planting trees on our Highland Croft and the benefits of ‘Silvopasture’ - an agroforestry practice that combines trees with forage (pasture) and livestock production, achieved either through planting trees on pastureland, or the thinning and management of existing forestland to establish forage crops and accommodate the grazing of livestock, sometimes referred to as forest grazing. Then during the Covid-19 restrictions I became very interested in the health and wellbeing benefits for people of being around and interacting with trees. From Forest Grazing and Silvopasture to Forest Bathing and Silvotherapy you might say.
The Similarities and Differences between Forest Bathing and Silvotherapy
Forest Bathing and Silvotherapy are two related health-promoting nature-connection practices that are both intended to enhance mental and physical wellbeing. Although they both have long histories - Silvotherapy was used at the beginning of the 20th Century in Europe as a cure for tuberculosis and Forest Bathing has its roots in the Shinto and Buddhist religious practices - they have only recently become widely recognised and their benefits publicised.
Shinrin-Yoku is a practice with its origins in Japan, that translates into English as ‘forest bath’ or ‘forest bathing’. It describes a practice of walking slowly and leisurely through the woods or forest, immersing yourself in the natural environment and mindfully using all five senses. Forest Bathing walks usually last between two and three hours and have become increasingly popular and the benefits recognised in North and South America, Asia, Australasia and much of Europe.
Whilst many people view Forest Bathing and Silvotherapy as one and the same, some writers (see for example Daria Kratz’s Book Forest Bathing: A Silent Cleanse of Healing) describe Silvotherapy as a practice originating in Europe (France in particular) that is subtly different to Forest Bathing. Forest Bathing has a focus on walking and sitting in nature, and immersing yourself in the forest environment using your different senses in comparably equal amounts.
Silvotherapy sessions in contrast are usually shorter than Forest Bathing sessions - lasting about 30 to 40 minutes in duration - and have a greater focus on the sensations associated with touch and actual physical contact with the trees than Forest Bathing. It is also proposed that Silvotherapy practices derive greater benefits from the Phytoncides and Terpenes that trees produce as they are most concentrated in close proximity to the trees. Whilst Forest Bathing sessions are often seen as an activity to be undertaken weekly or a few times a month, Silvotherapy sessions are more commonly completed daily, or at least multiple times a week and there is usually less walking involved.
So is it all about Tree Hugging?
Well, yes and no!
Different people are drawn to different ways of interacting with the trees. During one of my earliest sessions guiding Forest Bathing activities, I was asked if it was all about hugging trees. ‘Tree hugging’ often carries negative connotations and I was trying at the time to strike a balance between encouraging people to engage in activities that were meaningful to them, pushing them to step outside of their comfort zones a little, and supporting them to try new experiences that might have beneficial effects, without them making any stereotypical assumptions about hugging trees before trying things for themselves first.
What I can tell you is that my love of being in actual physical contact with the trees has increased exponentially the more that I have tried it. If you don’t believe me, find a tree and have a go. If you are afraid of what other people will think, do it privately somewhere with few passers by. My favourite trees to get close and personal with is probably a big Scots Pine (its just a shame that my favourite Scots Pine is just by the gateway to our neighbour’s house, and I’m not sure what they would say if they found me in their garden with my arms round their tree! I just admire it from the road most if the time).
Silvotherapy and Sit Spot
As the kind of Silvotherapy activities described here are shorter than a full-on Forest Bathing session, I find that they work very well with the practice of Sit Spot. My regular Sit Spot location is on a rock, just beside an old Oak tree, and I can explore the tree with my eyes and with my hands from where I sit.
We run a free 28-Day Sit Spot and Nature-Connection programme that will introduce you to the concept of Sit Spot and give you daily suggestions about how you can improve your nature-connection.
