WHOLE AGAIN

What would you pick in your modern quest for wellness? Forest bathing in land-scarce Singapore, a gym that brings fitness and art together, or the ancient practice of sound bathing for healing and recalibration

- SNG LER JUN

FOREST MAGIC

For centuries, forests have been the realm of spiritualism and mysticism, a constant presence in folklore and fairy tales. For some, forests brim with adventures, ready to be conquered and explored. For others, they hold therapeutic healing properties, meant to be harvested and immersed in.

In Japan, shinrinyoku or forest bathing, which entails immersing oneself in nature, has been recognised as a preventive medicine since the 1980s. This acknowledgement came after researchers in Nagano discovered that this practice not only combats stress but enhances immunity and lowers blood pressure. At that time, rapid urbanisation led the Japanese government to advise its citizens to take walks in parks or forests to reduce the rising stress levels.

"Forest bathing can feel like a mindful exercise," says Khloe Teo (@slow.forestdays), a Singaporean forest therapy guide. The terms 'forest bathing' and 'forest therapy' are used interchangeably sometimes but forest therapy takes a relational approach. "And yet, it is different from meditation," adds Teo. The practice entails the conscious act of slowing down and rediscovering oneself in the process. "We are always rushing from one thing to another, always rushing to achieve the next big thing. The notion of slowing down and doing little or nothing can be a little bit edgy for people," says Teo.