Submitted Photo Forest bathing opportunities are available in the Badlands. There are many areas in North Dakota where forest bathing can be practiced. Photo by Doug Wurtz.

Friluftsliv

To loosely translate from Norwegian to English:

fri = free, lufts = air’s, liv = life

The English equivalent = Outdoor Life

Now that Christmas and New Year’s have come and gone, it’s not too early to begin thinking about spring and our outdoor bathing needs.

If the thought of bathing outdoors in January is too much of a shock, take heart in the fact that I’m not talking about the type of bathing that requires water. I am thinking of the type that requires trees.

The Japanese people have a name for this type of bathing. It is the art and science of “Shinrin-Yoku,” translated as “Forest Bathing.” In the spirit of Friluftsliv, the Norwegian translation for this activity would be “Skogsbading.”

The city of Tokyo, Japan, is one of the most crowded cities in the world, with a population density of about 16,000 people per square mile, according to population statistics. This compares to the state of North Dakota, with about 10 people per square mile. Because of the stress of living in a city with the population density of Tokyo, coupled with the phenomenon known as “karoshi” or death from overwork, the Japanese government introduced the concept of forest bathing or Shinrin-Yoku in 1982.

Shinrin-Yoku is defined by Dr. Qing Li as “bathing in the forest atmosphere, or taking in the forest through our senses. This is not exercise, or hiking, or jogging. It is simply being in nature, connecting with it through our sense of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch.”

Two thirds of the country of Japan is covered in forests. In spite of the relative lack of forests in North Dakota, we still have plenty of opportunities to get out and participate in forest bathing. Even within our cities, we are only minutes away from a grove where we can rejuvenate our senses: think Minot’s Oak Park or Bismarck’s Rotary Arboretum.

Outside the urban areas of North Dakota, most farms are surrounded by shelterbelts of trees. They can serve another purpose besides providing protection from our northwest winds. Take a break and sit down among them and reap the sensory benefits of your tree plantings.

There are many areas in North Dakota where forest bathing can be practiced. In the western portion of the state, the Badlands provide juniper and cottonwood trees among other species. Grab a handful of juniper and another of sage and find a shady spot. The mixture of the two smells will set the mood for a great relaxation session. (I keep a container of juniper/sage on my office desk year round.)

In the central portion of the state, the Cross Ranch State Park, nine miles south of Washburn, has 17 miles of trails lined with cottonwoods. Among the trees at Cross Ranch is one that may have been growing in the days of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Check with one of the park rangers and they can direct you to the tree. Grab a seat at the base of this majestic tree and let it tell you a story as you unwind from the day’s news cycle.

There are two great opportunities for forest bathing in the eastern portion of the state. One of them is the Gunlogson Nature Preserve, located five miles west of Cavalier, at the Icelandic State Park. This 94-acre preserve has three miles of hiking trails that are lined with burr oak, basswood and other species of trees.

The other location in the east is the Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area, six miles west of Walhalla. The Pembina Gorge is especially beautiful in the fall when the many species of trees begin to turn color.

There are, of course, many other forest bathing possibilities in North Dakota. They all provide an opportunity to get away from the stress of everyday living and restore some balance in your life. Grab a container of coffee, your favorite guide book to birds, trees or plants, or just pull up a patch of grass and do a little forest bathing. You will be happier (and mentally cleaner) when you do.

Doug Wurtz grew up near Ryder and graduated from Minot State University. His retirement activities include nature photography as well as serving as a Certified Interpretive Guide for the State Historical Society of North Dakota. He is past president of the North Dakota Archaeological Association. Doug and his wife, Linda, live in Bismarck.