Forest Therapy is a Thing
- Darren Phillips
- Jan 2
- 1 min read
Updated: Aug 13
I made these images a couple of weeks ago during a visit to Muir Woods National Monument. These old-growth redwoods, among the oldest living things on earth, have always held a special place in my heart. I first visited the park when I was seven years old, and have been back many times since.
On this most recent visit, a rainstorm kept people away and I had the park to myself. For those who haven’t been, standing in Cathedral Grove and looking skyward at the canopy hundreds of feet up is a spiritual experience. The white noise of the rain and the rare absence of people on this morning only added to the magic. ☮︎
Fun Fact: Forest therapy is a thing! Read more about it here.
From the article:
"Trees give off volatile essential oils called phytoncides that have antimicrobial properties and may influence immunity. One Japanese study showed a rise in number and activity of immune cells called natural killer cells, which fight viruses and cancer, among people who spent three days and two nights in a forest versus people who took an urban trip. This benefit lasted for more than a month after the forest trip!"
Here are a couple of cellphone videos I shot during my walk in the woods:
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