For A Relaxing Day In The Woods, Try Forest Bathing At Westfir Lodge In Oregon
By Sarah McCosham|Published March 12, 2021
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Here in Oregon, nature truly is our sanctuary. Not only do we head to the Great Outdoors to break a sweat or satisfy our insatiable wanderlust; we also turn to Mother Nature when we’re in need of rest and rejuvenation from the inside out. For this kind of soul-feeding therapy, forest bathing at Westfir Lodge in Oregon really is the ultimate relaxing experience. Forest bathing—don’t worry, it’s not how it sounds—is an ancient Japanese practice that combines a walk in nature with meditation and mindfulness. It’s an immersive outdoor experience that really puts you in the here and now, where you can lose yourself in the splendor of nature. At Westfir Lodge, you can enjoy a truly transformative, relaxing retreat in the woods.
The practice of Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, has ancient roots in Asia.
Forest bathing isn't as much about a place as it is about a state of mind. It's about disconnecting from devices, and connecting with yourself in nature, through outdoor movement and mindfulness.
Nestled in the Cascades Mountain Range in the heart of the Willamette National Forest, Westfir Lodge is a little piece of Oregon paradise.
The Westfir Lodge is a 'retreat' in every sense of the word: a cozy B&B, delicious farm-to-table restaurant, quiet yoga studio, and sublime space for outdoor recreation.
It is a place to relax and recharge in true Oregon fashion, offering epic expeditions on the river and in the forest, and opportunities for self-discovery in its spectacular surroundings.
Forest bathing at Westfir is not about "working out" in the traditional sense; these hikes are slow and intentional, designed to encourage curiosity and contemplation.
Located within mere feet of some of the most beautiful trails in Willamette National Forest, you'll embark on a two-hour forest bathing experience with a trained wellness guide, leaving phones, cameras, and inhibitions behind. Come with an open mind and heart, and you'll be rewarded immensely.
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Afterwards, you can continue to feed your senses as you picnic in the retreat's outdoor patio.
Westfir's menu is fresh and wholesome, as much a feast for the eyes as the body. And that's really what forest bathing is all about: soul-satisfying nourishment.
There is ample scientific evidence that spending time in the woods has profound healing power. But we Oregonians already knew that.
So let Westfir be your path to wellness, with the forest as your guide.
Mother Nature really is the best medicine, and forest bathing at Westfir Lodge in Oregon is a truly transformative therapy that will leave you relaxed, recharged, and ready to tackle life. And really, that’s something we could all use.
