A lot of us have retreated to our couches because of the pandemic, but a whiff of the outdoors may be more beneficial than you would think, have you heard of the term 'forest bathing'?

Forest bathing is a practice of wandering in the woods and taking it all through our senses, and it is claimed to improve our mental and physical well-being.

Also known as shinrin yoku, the tradition started in Japan in the 1980s, but today it is also becoming popular in the West. In its essence, it's about communicating with nature, something that we all know deep down is healthy for us.

Forest bathing is beneficial for the body and the mind. Evidence indicates that this mindfulness exercise has health advantages, including lower heart rate, lower anxiety, lower inflammation and stress levels, lower depression, and more.

Ironically, as we struggle with the coronavirus pandemic and are encouraged to stay at home, there appear to be fewer chances to spend time outside. But, according to experts, there are still a lot of opportunities to indulge in nature therapy. We just need to be innovative.

How do you forest bathe?

In fact, the best place to start is the land we live on. Spaces such as gardens and balconies are suitable alternatives to public spaces. But even if you don't have outdoor space at home, experts are positive that you can get your everyday dose of nature by merely opening or staring out of the window.

In some countries, residents are already allowed to leave their homes.

In the United Kingdom, members of the public can go out to workout once a day and in the U.S., the Forest Service says that citizens can access national forests but are required to meet health and safety standards.

Bringing the outside in

We can also literally bring in the outside. Surrounding yourself with houseplants, forest essential oils, and various natural textures can make the mood better and ease the nervous system.

Experiencing the sights and sounds of nature via digital media is also an option.

U.S. non-profit Forest Bathing International has virtual tours of its website, led by guides in various countries so that visitors can discover their own places or the place of their guide.

At the end of the day, experts believe that it is important to interact with nature in every way we can during the current crisis. It might also be an opportunity to notice things that we usually neglect in our hectic lives.