Getting back to nature: how forest bathing can make us feel better

The Japanese have known for years that spending mindful time in the woods is beneficial for body and soul. Now western doctors - and royals - agreeEvery day, apart from when it's raining heavily, Dr Qing Li heads to a leafy park near the Nippon Medical School in Tokyo where he works. It's not just a pleasant place to eat his lunch; he believes the time spent under the trees' canopy is a critical factor in the fight against diseases, of the mind and body.Once a month Li spends three days in forests near Tokyo, using all five senses to connect with the environment and clear his mind. This practice of shinrin-yoku - literally, forest bath - has the power to counter illnesses including cancer, strokes, gastric ulcers, depression, anxiety and stress, he says. It boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure and aids sleep. And soon it could be prescribed by British doctors. Continue reading...