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You are here: Home / Reducing Stress / Shinrin Yoku – Forest Bathing Improves Diabetes!

Shinrin Yoku – Forest Bathing Improves Diabetes!

January 25, 2021 By Toby Smithson

Ever notice how a day at the beach, in the mountains, or wandering through a deep forest seems relaxing? Well, it is relaxing, and it turns out it’s relaxing on a deep level. Join me as I show you how Shinrin Yoku or Forest Bathing can improve your Diabetes.

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For today’s video, I’m going to do something a little different. This is one of those videos you may want to keep on your phone so you can replay it when you need it.

A Zen Moment

I have realized over the past couple of years that some places like walking on a beach and hearing the sound of the waves or walking in an area that has beautiful flowers and trees seem to make me feel calm and less stressed. I say to myself “this is a zen moment”.

Now I find out there is research for this type of stress reducer which is a Japanese movement or ritual called “shinrin-yoku” (forest-air bathing and walking).

Many of the studies looked at green environments. This color made a difference with improved self-esteem and mood and the presence of water generated greater effects (there is the feeling of walking on the beach). It’s interesting that both men and women had similar improvements in self-esteem after green exercise, although men showed a difference in mood.

Being amongst nature also can boost your attention abilities. And even better yet, there is a study specifically on people with non-insulin-dependent diabetes showing that those who walked in the forest for about 2-4 miles at least 9 times over 6 years, were able to lower their blood sugar levels from before walking in the forest) 179 to 108 mg per deciliter (after forest walking).  Sign me up!!!

Be Sure To Check This Article Out – Diabetes and Stress- Find Your Stress Reliever

The Background of Shinrin Yoku

Ok, I just want to give you a little more background about this stress-reducing activity, and then I promise, I’ll take you on a walk in the forest so you can experience this anytime by playing this video – you will always have it on video so it doesn’t matter the time of day or night OR the weather outside your door. You can be a part of this experience anytime.

Here are some to do’s as we take our walk today…
  • Use all your senses to allow nature to embrace you. Your ears, nose, mouth, hands, and feet.
  • Make sure to listen carefully to hear birds singing and the breeze rustling in the leaves of the trees.
  • Look at the variations of the color green in the forest.

On video, it is hard to use your sense of smell, taste, and feel so you will need to either visualize these senses or go outside your home and take a deep breath and place your hands on a tree when you do go outdoors.

The last sense is the state of mind. Which is a combination of all these senses you have opened by participating in this experience.

Ok, now for the experience….

I really hope you enjoyed our walk today. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss out on tips like these!

Don’t forget to take a look at our most frequently asked questions.

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Filed Under: Reducing Stress

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Toby Smithson dynamically combines her knowledge as a certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian nutritionist with her life experiences successfully managing type 1 diabetes for more than five decades.

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May 25

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I have so many feel goods from attending and presenting at this conference. 
❤️sharing diabetes knowledge at my presentation on Monday morning.
❤️hearing on how the presentation impacted them from so many of the dietitians who attended. 
❤️learning from the amazing speakers at other sessions.
❤️learning and schmoozing with vendors at the expo.
❤️networking with fellow dietitians throughout the conference.
❤️And reuniting with my dietitian bestie. We were academy of nutrition and dietetics spokespeople together for 9 years. ❤️ 
Thank you Todays Dietitian Symposium for another fabulous conference! 
@todaysdietitian #TDinFL @sarahrdtv #dietitianlife #dietitianapproved

I have so many feel goods from attending and presenting at this conference.
❤️sharing diabetes knowledge at my presentation on Monday morning.
❤️hearing on how the presentation impacted them from so many of the dietitians who attended.
❤️learning from the amazing speakers at other sessions.
❤️learning and schmoozing with vendors at the expo.
❤️networking with fellow dietitians throughout the conference.
❤️And reuniting with my dietitian bestie. We were academy of nutrition and dietetics spokespeople together for 9 years. ❤️
Thank you Todays Dietitian Symposium for another fabulous conference!
@todaysdietitian #TDinFL @sarahrdtv #dietitianlife #dietitianapproved
...

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May 25

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Love this message from DJ. Dietitians do promote food first but … there are times that it’s not food only. @djblatner @todaysdietitian #TDinFL @nowfoodsofficial

Love this message from DJ. Dietitians do promote food first but … there are times that it’s not food only. @djblatner @todaysdietitian #TDinFL @nowfoodsofficial ...

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May 24

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Look for “live and active cultures” especially on yogurt for it to be a probiotic. @katescarlata #TDinFL @todaysdietitian #guthealth #diabetes #diabetesmanagement @activia

Look for “live and active cultures” especially on yogurt for it to be a probiotic. @katescarlata #TDinFL @todaysdietitian #guthealth #diabetes #diabetesmanagement @activia ...

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May 24

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Curious? Are you currently including fermented foods to your diet for gut health? 
Fermented foods: may be healthy for microbiome. 
Increase gut microbial diversity to improve gut health.  I’ve been adding 1/4 cup serving of kimchi to my lunch which is one serving. Listening to @katescarlata #TDinFL #guthealth #kimchi #diabetes #diabetesmanagement @todaysdietitian

Curious? Are you currently including fermented foods to your diet for gut health?

Fermented foods: may be healthy for microbiome.
Increase gut microbial diversity to improve gut health. I’ve been adding 1/4 cup serving of kimchi to my lunch which is one serving. Listening to @katescarlata #TDinFL #guthealth #kimchi #diabetes #diabetesmanagement @todaysdietitian
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May 24

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Enjoyed presenting @todaysdietitian symposium this morning. I’ve received many kudos through the day regarding how much the information impacted the audience. ❤️ Thank you for sharing your personal stories about diabetes. Presented alongside Dr Bev. #TDinFL #diabetes #cognitivedistortions #diabeteslife #livingwithdiabetes #diabetes

Enjoyed presenting @todaysdietitian symposium this morning. I’ve received many kudos through the day regarding how much the information impacted the audience. ❤️ Thank you for sharing your personal stories about diabetes. Presented alongside Dr Bev. #TDinFL #diabetes #cognitivedistortions #diabeteslife #livingwithdiabetes #diabetes ...

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May 23

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Learning about dietary supplements labeling. Important to note that a supplement cannot make a claim that it will cure, treat, or prevent conditions like diabetes. #TDinFL @todaysdietitian @blackswanneats

Learning about dietary supplements labeling. Important to note that a supplement cannot make a claim that it will cure, treat, or prevent conditions like diabetes. #TDinFL @todaysdietitian @blackswanneats ...

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May 23

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Presenting Beyond The Textbook- putting the AWE in awesome Diabetes Care: accepting, well being, and empowerment very soon @todaysdietitian symposium with my co presenter Dr Bev. #TDinFL

Presenting Beyond The Textbook- putting the AWE in awesome Diabetes Care: accepting, well being, and empowerment very soon @todaysdietitian symposium with my co presenter Dr Bev. #TDinFL ...

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May 22

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I’m off to speak at a conference. Hoping that when I get back, my tomatoes will be ripe and ready to eat. I’m already meal planning. Thinking of combining my home grown tomatoes, cucumber and onions with rice vinegar dill weed and a packet of low calorie sweetener to make a low carb side dish. 😋 
#tomato #tomatowellness #cucumber #lowcarbsides #diabetes #diabetesfriendly #garden #freshveggies

I’m off to speak at a conference. Hoping that when I get back, my tomatoes will be ripe and ready to eat. I’m already meal planning. Thinking of combining my home grown tomatoes, cucumber and onions with rice vinegar dill weed and a packet of low calorie sweetener to make a low carb side dish. 😋
#tomato #tomatowellness #cucumber #lowcarbsides #diabetes #diabetesfriendly #garden #freshveggies
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May 22

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Excited to pick and eat a cucumber from our garden. Love this low carb veggie that provides fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin c and lots of vitamin k. Simple pleasures… sliced the cucumber in my black bean taco salad tonight. #diabetesfriendly #diabetes #cucumber #gardenveggies #joysofgardening

Excited to pick and eat a cucumber from our garden. Love this low carb veggie that provides fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin c and lots of vitamin k. Simple pleasures… sliced the cucumber in my black bean taco salad tonight. #diabetesfriendly #diabetes #cucumber #gardenveggies #joysofgardening ...

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May 20

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Best reason in the whole wide world on why I took a break from social media! Spent time with our 4 boys+ 4 daughter in laws + our 2 very very special granddaughters. #family #laughter #relaxation #familyvacation #wearefamily❤️

Best reason in the whole wide world on why I took a break from social media! Spent time with our 4 boys+ 4 daughter in laws + our 2 very very special granddaughters. #family #laughter #relaxation #familyvacation #wearefamily❤️ ...

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Apr 27

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Are you bored with what you are eating? Need some inspo plus a huge health benefit? I’m in! This information is good for EVERYONE. Link to latest video in my bio. 
Do you have any favorite go to recipes or meals? Please comment below. 
#mealppanning #mealplanningmadeeasy #diabetes #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #prediabetes #recipes

Are you bored with what you are eating? Need some inspo plus a huge health benefit? I’m in! This information is good for EVERYONE. Link to latest video in my bio.
Do you have any favorite go to recipes or meals? Please comment below.

#mealppanning #mealplanningmadeeasy #diabetes #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #prediabetes #recipes
...

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Apr 22

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More of my earth day experiences. 🌎🌲🍃🌱
#earthday #earthdayeveryday #lovetheland #mothernature #portroyalsound #lovethesea

More of my earth day experiences. 🌎🌲🍃🌱
#earthday #earthdayeveryday #lovetheland #mothernature #portroyalsound #lovethesea
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Apr 22

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Celebrating earth day all week ( honestly everyday here) with: 
🌻 attending a flower arrangement class to prepare for selling our homegrown flowers at our farmers market.
🌻Walking on the bluff in our neighborhood this morning.
🌻Enjoying views of wildlife as I walk my dog. 
🌻and tending to my vegetable garden.
Happy Earth Day! Stay beautiful. #earthday #earthday2022 #earthdayeveryday #physicalactivity #joy

Celebrating earth day all week ( honestly everyday here) with:
🌻 attending a flower arrangement class to prepare for selling our homegrown flowers at our farmers market.
🌻Walking on the bluff in our neighborhood this morning.
🌻Enjoying views of wildlife as I walk my dog.
🌻and tending to my vegetable garden.
Happy Earth Day! Stay beautiful. #earthday #earthday2022 #earthdayeveryday #physicalactivity #joy
...

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Apr 21

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Check out this program for lowering cholesterol conducted by two registered dietitians. More info @nutritionunique @sarahrdtv 
#cholesterol #cholesterollowering #dietitianapproved

Check out this program for lowering cholesterol conducted by two registered dietitians. More info @nutritionunique @sarahrdtv
#cholesterol #cholesterollowering #dietitianapproved
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Apr 21

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⬆️ definitely a topic to pay attention to… don’t let some of your eating habits get in the way of keeping your bones healthy and strong. TY @graciouslynourished and @eatthisnotthat for using my insight. #bonehealth #eatinghabits #reducesodiumintake #osteoporosis #osteoporosisprevention @kin.di_rd @freshnutritionny

⬆️ definitely a topic to pay attention to… don’t let some of your eating habits get in the way of keeping your bones healthy and strong. TY @graciouslynourished and @eatthisnotthat for using my insight. #bonehealth #eatinghabits #reducesodiumintake #osteoporosis #osteoporosisprevention @kin.di_rd @freshnutritionny ...

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Apr 19

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Should I? I get this question asked… should I be taking supplements? Find out the answer in my latest YouTube video. Link located in my bio under linktr.ee/tobysmithson 
Are you taking any supplements ? #supplements #diabetes #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #typeonediabetes #diabeteseducation #diabetesmanagement

Should I? I get this question asked… should I be taking supplements? Find out the answer in my latest YouTube video. Link located in my bio under linktr.ee/tobysmithson

Are you taking any supplements ? #supplements #diabetes #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #typeonediabetes #diabeteseducation #diabetesmanagement
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Apr 18

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Spring clean up time for my spice rack! Every year when Passover approaches, it’s a double reminder for me to clean out my refrigerator, cabinets and spices! Rule of thumb is to replace ground spices annually. 📝🗓 
When is the last time you threw away spices?
#spices #springcleaning #springcleaningtips #whenindoubtthrowitout

Spring clean up time for my spice rack! Every year when Passover approaches, it’s a double reminder for me to clean out my refrigerator, cabinets and spices! Rule of thumb is to replace ground spices annually. 📝🗓
When is the last time you threw away spices?
#spices #springcleaning #springcleaningtips #whenindoubtthrowitout
...

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Apr 16

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To those who celebrate Passover, Chag Pesach Sameach! 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷

To those who celebrate Passover, Chag Pesach Sameach! 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 ...

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Apr 14

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I know it’s not the photo you’d expect for National Gardening Day. I’ll make sure to post the beautiful veggie plants growing in a post later.
THIS is my new adventure for my garden this year! Attempting to grow edamame. 👩‍🌾
#nationalgardeningday #gardening #soybean #edamame #eatyourveggies #physicalactivity #diabetesmanagement

I know it’s not the photo you’d expect for National Gardening Day. I’ll make sure to post the beautiful veggie plants growing in a post later.
THIS is my new adventure for my garden this year! Attempting to grow edamame. 👩‍🌾

#nationalgardeningday #gardening #soybean #edamame #eatyourveggies #physicalactivity #diabetesmanagement
...

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Apr 12

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How do YOU feel when your blood sugar is above target? Details are in this weeks video. Tap on linktr.ee/tobysmithson in my bio to get to the video.
If you could only use two words to describe how an above target blood sugar feels… what would it be?
#diabetes #diabetesawareness #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #prediabetes #bloodsugar #highbloodsugar #diabeteseducation

How do YOU feel when your blood sugar is above target? Details are in this weeks video. Tap on linktr.ee/tobysmithson in my bio to get to the video.
If you could only use two words to describe how an above target blood sugar feels… what would it be?

#diabetes #diabetesawareness #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #prediabetes #bloodsugar #highbloodsugar #diabeteseducation
...

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