A concept inspired by a Japanese practice, forest therapy when put simply, is to be immersed into natural surroundings and allow the energy of nature to calm your mind, body and spirit. Also known to Scandinavian culture, spending time outdoors is a cherished part of their day, even built into their working week. With the pandemic, most of us spent a good amount of time indoors, away from nature and being cooped up with our technological devices for too long. The recent shift we have experienced with our ‘new normal’ way of life has certainly increased the amount of time everyone is spending outdoors. A recent study has shown that being exposed to a restorative environment such as the forest, beach or lake is proven to restore our mental energy. Natural beauty inspires feelings of awe, given our brains the added boost to push further.
It’s not always easy to spend as much time outdoors as we would like, however, we can always include little changes in our bathroom that lean toward creating this natural environment within your own home.
Scent is something that plays an important role as it is able to trigger our memories and unite all your senses to a time that brought you solace or relaxation. With that in mind, diffusers, candles and oils are a great way to scent your bathroom and create a more natural environment. Use scents like sandalwood that have been found to have a calming effect on our mood, or pink pepper that offer help with respiratory health.
Surrounding your bathroom in greenery will also help set the tone to create a more nature inspired space. Be sure to pick plants that can handle a more humid environment, are lush and vibrant and offer the added oxygen boost we all need in our homes. Place your plants at different heights to mimic the outdoors and create a dynamic room. A eucalyptus bunch attached to your shower head not only adds the pop of greenery, but is also known to release essential oils with the steam that aid in clearing nasal congestion and inflammation.
To take the natural environment one step further, consider using natural finishes in your bathroom as well. From rough stone sinks to wooden flooring, using these natural looking finishes amplify the bathroom space to lean toward a more tranquil and forest-like space. When you create your own natural environment, it will help relax the mind and rejuvenate the body.
So for the days you can't get us or need an extra boost, you can conjure the fresh, uplifting scent of a stroll through the trees or a bracing march along the coast from inside your home. It may not be the real deal, but as back-ups go, a frothy, forest-smelling bubble bath is not a bad alternative.
