Forest Bathing

Waldbaden
„Shinrin Yoku stammt aus dem Japanischen und bedeutet so viel wie „Baden in der Waldluft“. Die aus dem Inselreich stammende naturbezogene Praxis ist darauf ausgerichtet, Stress zu reduzieren und das allgemeine Wohlbefinden zu stärken.“
Der japanische Begriff ist ein Hinweis, dass es darum geht, etwas Unbekanntes zu entdecken. Allein diese Wortschöpfung und Zeichenkombination weist auf die spielerischen und kreativen Elemente des Waldbadens hin.
森 林 浴
„Das erste Zeichen stellt einen Wald dar (drei Bäume), das zweite ein Gehölz (zwei Bäume) und das dritte bedeutet baden (fließendes Wasser links, rechts ein Tal).“
Im Kurs gilt es für mich, den Teilnehmenden mit knappen Hinweisen
Lust zu machen auf das Erleben im Wald. Es geht um Entschleunigung,
um ein Umschalten vom schnellen Denken zum langsamen Wahrnehmen, vom Verstehen zum Fühlen, gepaart mit einer Öffnung für eine Entdeckungsreise im Wald und bei sich selbst.

Forest bathing
"Shinrin Yoku comes from the Japanese for "bathing in the forest air." Originating in the island kingdom, the nature-based practice is designed to reduce stress and strengthen overall well-being."
The Japanese term is an indication that it is about discovering something unknown. This word creation and character combination alone indicates the playful and creative elements of forest bathing.
森 林 浴
"The first sign represents a forest (three trees), the second represents a grove (two trees), and the third means bathing (running water on the left, a valley on the right)."
In the course it is important for me to give the participants brief hints that
to whet the participants' appetite for the experience in the forest. It is about deceleration,
It is about switching from fast thinking to slow perception, from understanding to feeling, paired with an opening for a journey of discovery in the forest and in oneself.

Since most tourism experiences occur in the natural environment, nature-based tourism (NBT) is probably the largest and most popular form of tourism. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a multitude of studies has investigated the benefits of NBT, particularly the outcomes of participating in nature-based leisure and recreation activities for tourists' wellbeing. This chapter aims to explore how individuals pursue NBT and leisure during the COVID-19 pandemic with the aim of understanding ways of enhancing tourist wellbeing. We first review the benefits of NBT on individuals in relation to selected dimensions of human wellbeing. Due to the decline in international tourism during the pandemic, we draw insights from case studies about domestic nature-based leisure and recreation activities commonly engaged in by people before and during the pandemic. Thereafter, we reflect on the outcomes of the explored nature-based leisure and recreation activities on individuals' wellbeing during the pandemic, and propose a model highlighting three main dimensions of domestic tourism's role during and after the pandemic. Finally, we reflect on a future agenda of research on NBT and recreation in the new normal. 2

One of the best things that has happened to society as a result of social isolation strategies and lockdowns, is that more and more people are spending time alone in Nature. They are deeply bonding with it and appreciating it. Without companions, the communion with nature is most impactful on the human spirit. When we are alone we have the silence to hear Nature's voice, to see her subtle emanations. When I contemplate the most profound and awe-inspiring moments of my life, it is always when I am on my own with Nature. Nature is God. HOLY BLUEBELL WOODS