Shinrin-yoku is the Japanese concept of forest bathing, which is spending time in nature, particularly forests, to enhance health. While it is not necessarily hiking, or exercise, the practice is meant to help you connect with nature. Typically, it involves walking slowly, observing nature, practicing deep breathing, while surrounded by trees. Participating shinrin-yoku has many benefits including stress reduction, improved mental health, boosting the immune system, improved focus, and creating a greater sense of well-being.
Benefits of shinrin-yoku
Whether you are practicing shinrin-yoku, hiking, or simply walking, dozens of trailheads a short drive from the River House Inn, a Baymont by Wyndham, are great for enjoying nature along the central Oregon coast.
If you are used to the quicker pace of a hike, here are some tips for practicing shinrin-yoku to see if it provides some additional benefits of experiencing nature:
- Find natural space where you a surrounded by natural beauty
- Slow down. Feel the earth under your feet, the breeze on your body, the moisture in the air. Hear the wind, the swaying of the branches, the buzz of insects. Smell the trees and the flowers.
- Practice deep breathing.
- Avoid distractions, minimizing the use of phones and cameras, imprint the beauty in your mind.
- Enjoy the experience.
Where to practice?
Having hiked thousands of miles, I have noticed a distinct difference between just getting from place A-B, and taking the time to enjoy my surroundings. I enjoy both.
While anyplace that allows you to enjoy nature can be used, it seems obvious, a forest, would be a natural place to practice “forest bathing”. Our proximity to the Siuslaw National Forest gives dozens of nearby trailheads of where you can practice shinrin-yoku, or hike.
Recently, one of our employees chose Sweet Creek Falls in the Siuslaw National Forest. A network of trails available from 4 distinct trailheads to highlight for our guests.
Since this was one of the trails our founder, Gary Hoagland, enjoyed sharing with his own family before passing away in 2018, it has a special place in our hearts. We will let Gary’s granddaughter, share her experience of a recent hike, and some shinrin-yoku, near Sweet Creek Falls.
Sweet Creek Experience
On a recent Monday, just past noon, I arrived at the Sweet Creek Falls Homestead Trailhead. While I prefer solitude when enjoying nature, summer time on well known trails can make that difficult. I was lucky enough to grab the last available parking space.
Nature can be enjoyed in many ways, and today was a great day to do just that. The sun was shining through the gaps in the trees and it was a pleasant 77 degrees out. As I prepared to get on the trail, I noticed a family enjoying a picnic on what appeared to be the perfect spot for a post-adventure meal. A few more tables were scattered about the shade of the surrounding forest. Nearby was an outhouse, an amenity which makes hiking a little more civilized, and a little less of that “bear in the woods” experience.
I gathered my hiking 10 essentials that I always keep packed away in my day bag:
- Navigation (Trail map downloaded from Alltrails)
- Headlamp (Black Diamond Spot 400)
- Sun protection (Hat and Sunscreen)
- First Aid (Small first aid kit I put together)
- Knife (Kershaw Barricade)
- Fire (Lighter and Firestarter)
- Shelter (SOL Escape Lite)
- Extra Snacks
- Extra Water & Filter (Filter: Sawyer Squeeze)
- Extra Clothes (REI Down jacket and thermals)
As I hit the trail, I was pleasantly surprised. Despite the number of cars at the trailhead, I didn’t run into too many hikers. This could be due to the fact that there were numerous trails leading down to the banks along Sweet Creek.
The trail starts out fairly wide and even. Making my way up the canyon, I experienced the cascading falls which bring so many to this remote area. After reaching a point where the trail splits to take hikers to the upper viewpoint, the terrain becomes more difficult. While passable, there was some trail erosion, which might make it difficult for hikers with mobility issues.
One of my favorite spots along this hike was off the trail where Elk Wallow Creek and Sweet Creek meet. Visiting during late summer allows you to hop across the rocks to the other side, where you can experience a unique perspective of the waterfall right below. It was the perfect spot to dip my feet in the cool water and take in the surrounding sights and sounds of the forest.
For directions to Sweet Creek Falls please click here. Sweet creek falls has two main trailheads, the Homestead TH and the Wagon Road TH. The hike is 1.9 miles out & back and is a relatively easy hike with only about 300 ft elevation gain. The only trouble on the trail are the downed trees on the upper viewpoint for the sweet creek falls. When planning your stay here in Florence, allow us to give you exceptional service by calling us directly, (541) 997-3933, or visit our booking website at River House Inn, a Baymont by Wyndham. Check out our other blogs for more fun things to see and experience while here in Florence, OR.