Forest Bathing

The Japanese tradition of forest bathing has been proven to lower your heart rate, blood pressure, boost the immune system, and reduce overall stress. If you don't want to take my word for it, look it up. Better yet, try it. No fancy gear required. Just you and the birds,plants and trees.
When I visited the Japanese Botanical Garden in Portland, Oregon recently, the energy was palpable. Even with loads of other visitors around, it's as if someone injected all of us with a calming and happy sedative. I had planned on taking a photo of the famed Japanese Maple in the grounds, but outside of the garden, I meandered around the neighborhood and stumbled upon these beauties at a private residence. Consider me a full fledged forest bather.