When master birder Bev Bowe isn’t pointing out Bushtits, Cedar Waxwings, and Belted Kingfishers to awestruck twitchers in guided field trips for Puget Sound Bird Fest, she’s out in the woods, just communing with nature…

Forest bathing.

The Japanese practice of mindful shinrin-yoku — birthed in the 1980s — has quickly caught on with the rest of the world.

Bowe, who also gives guided walks throughout the year, quite likes the peace and quiet, and recommends everyone go out on such a restorative, mental getaway.

“I practice conscious forest bathing whenever I can,” she explained. “I spend time in the woods, listen to the quiet sounds of birds and animals, feel tree bark, moss, leaves, lichen. The way the light filters down through the trees gives me a serene sense of belonging to something primal, takes me away from the outer me and lets me just relax and find my center, my essential me, and how I fit in with the earth. In Edmonds, my two favorite little forests are Pine Ridge Park and Yost Memorial Park.”

There’s no time limit, no rules, no dues, everyone’s free to join. Shut off your smartphone, tune out the world, and vibe to the soothing, rustling blues and greens all around. 

Plus, it’s so good for your well-being, your very soul. According to a National Geographic article, “This Is Your Brain on Nature,” the physiological benefits, including lowered cortisol/pulse rate/blood pressure, greater parasympathetic nerve activity and amped up cancer protection, are real, scientifically proven.

“I dig being alone in the beauty of nature. I just love the woods. The smells, the sights, and being by myself in it. I like exploring and traveling too, so it scratches that itch,” musician Jon von Boehm described of his forest bathing experience.

The City of Edmonds is surrounded by forests, large and small, nesting beside playgrounds, overlooks, and ball fields…“47 park and open space sites, encompassing 230 acres and 362 partnership acres. All greenspaces and natural areas are managed as pesticide free except in very special cases [website].”

Besides the upland forests of Yost (96th Ave. W. and Bowdoin Way) and Pine Ridge (20330 83rd Ave. W.), there’s Sierra Park on 81st Ave. W. and 190th St. SW and Southwest County Olympic View Park, the 120-acre wonder located on 17920 Olympic View Drive in southwestern Snohomish County.

Southwest County Park features a fairy tale of misty, forested ravines, sun-dappled nature trails, and Perrinville Creek, “which flow[s] through the eastern portion of the Park to Brown's Bay on Puget Sound [Snohomish County website].”

The City of Edmonds also offers outdoor environmental education programs. Discover the Forest enables children K-6 to wander the native forest, wetland, and Shell Creek of 48-acre Yost Park.

Go out there and unwind. It’s an #EdmondsKindofDay.

Photos by Janine Harles (Pine Ridge Park, Yost Park, Esperance Park) and Matt Hulbert (master birder and forest bather, Bev Bowe).