“I’m a city girl. I was born and raised in Washington, D.C., and I’ve spent my entire adult life living in cities (Moscow, London, Amsterdam, New York, and now Washington again). I love big cities for the energy, the people-watching, the access to art and culture, the ability to feel anonymous. But I also need a daily ‘forest bath,’ as the Japanese call it. I take a long walk in the woods almost every day to clear my head. (In Moscow, I walked in wooded parks; in London, I went to Hampstead Heath; in Amsterdam, I walked in the Amsterdamse Bos; in Brooklyn, I was in Prospect Park every day; now my daily walk is in Rock Creek Park.) I’ve been doing this for years. There is something about being on the trails, in the silence, under all those trees that does wonders for my brain. (A couple of years ago, The New York Times noted the health benefits of ‘forest bathing’: apparently time spent among trees and plants reduces stress and boosts immune function.) I take my dog with me and sometimes I sort out character and plot problems on my walks. But more often than not, the walk is just a way to let go—of anxiety, of ego—and recharge my creative batteries. I always work better after I’ve been in the woods.”
—Elliott Holt, author of You Are One of Them (The Penguin Press, 2013)
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Comments
Monnalee K Bess replied on Permalink
Trees
Being born in Indiana,I have always loved trees and felt drawn to them. They make my soul sigh and absorb life's sourness. Elliot, you should try walking among the redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. I lived surrounded by them for several years and never felt so free.
10724 replied on Permalink
the wilderness
FROM THE MAINE WILDERNESS
Here we are, settling toward deepest winter.
Roses were red, violets blue,
the coming school bus yellow
as we began to tune the dampers
and violin keys of our stoves.
News of the world
feels like ONE from here: the treadle
of our neighbor horse's lip,
Manhattan's tongue in the bay,
the now-hidden ever-landing housefly,
the chipmunk's lockstep attention
at the bird feeder,
and
the flow of art and
war.
Henry Braun, OWS (Occupy Wilderness Singer)
judithhb replied on Permalink
Forest Bath
Hi Elliot. Here in Wellington NZ we are blessed with many open spaces and bush walks very close to the city. I often go with my small dog and feel totally refreshed after only a few minutes in the bush. I feel the energy in the trees and bush being reflected into me. Thanks for sharing this idea with us.
2013-01-30
Nederlo1 replied on Permalink
On baths, forest and otherwise
An excellent idea, this. I have 75 acres of Upper Midwest forest less than a dozen steps from my studio door and I venture there frequently. And yet I really miss my 10 years in Manhattan and cannot wait for my next week of renewal there. From a creative standpoint, the bath is where one takes it.
gchoward replied on Permalink
walk in the woods
Even when woods aren't handy, just walking outside re-energizes me and untangles the cobwebs in my brain, turning them into silken threads of prose.
Marta replied on Permalink
Walking in my community
My husband and I live in Gold Country California where there is plenty of nature for walks and contemplation. We recently lost both our mothers and we miss them terribly.
sfpoch replied on Permalink
Forest Bath
The Sea is my "forest." And it never fails to restore.