The Japanese call this physiological and psychological benefit shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. It involves no water, and it’s not necessarily a hike in the forest.
Shinrin-yoku is the process of slowing down and immersing yourself in the smells, textures, tastes, and sights of the forest (or anywhere outdoors that surrounds you in nature—it could even be a quiet local park).
Several studies have shown the immediate benefits of forest bathing to be promising: One found that a walk in the forest lowered blood pressure.
Another study showed that inhaling the scent of cedar, in particular, significantly reduced stress hormones.
In productive garden soil, there can be anywhere between 100 million and 3 billion bacteria in a gram (about a teaspoonful). These hard-working microbes do everything from fixing nitrogen to decomposing material in the soil. Now, they’re even responsible for lifting your mood and making you smarter.