Still alive!

Dear Reader,

5 days without food, living wild in the forests. This is what happened:

108 hrs fasted
82,000 steps
50 km hiked
1600 vertical metres
11500 calories burnt
0 ingested
4kg lighter
4 tics (discovered so far)

Short version: I'm still alive!

What went right:

Didn't swallow a calorie from start to finish (piece of cake when you're fat adapted and have built up the "fasting muscle"),
Got my re-feed just right (no over-eating or gastric problems),
Lots of forest bathing (see list of benefits below),
Saw 2 deer (and no wild boar!),
Didn't run out of water (a mountain stream did the trick),
Lots of strenuous hill walking,
Didn't get caught by a forest ranger,
Read Maverick by Ricardo Semler,

What went wrong:

Almost no grounding (if I wasn't wearing hiking boots, I was on an insulated carry mat or hammock),
Disrupted sleep (lack of comfort, forest noises, storms and rain),
Not off grid (Mapy.com is better than a 1:25000 paper map, and the call of social media....reduced, but not eliminated),
Combination of heavy backpack, steep uphill hikes (and perhaps being fasted) left me pretty physically exhausted, with tight calves and sore shoulders,

So why do it in the forest, Rod?

Here's why - Forest Bathing!

Forest bathing benefits

Deeper calm as the nervous system shifts out of constant alert and into a more restorative state.
Better sleep and stronger circadian rhythm through natural daylight exposure and a more biologically natural light environment.
A quieter mind, improved mood, and relief from the mental static of modern life.
Cleaner, cooler, more breathable air, shaped by trees, shade, and the chemistry of the forest itself.
Gentle support for immune resilience, with studies showing beneficial effects on natural killer cell activity and other immune markers.
Less heat stress and physical strain, allowing the body to relax rather than constantly compensate.
Softer, filtered natural light that feels easier on the eyes, the brain, and the body than indoor or urban environments.
Space for slower movement, deeper breathing, clearer thought, and the kind of recovery that rarely happens in ordinary settings.
A rare sense of physical and mental spaciousness that supports reflection, presence, and renewed energy.

And the most fascinating part? Trees release chemicals that make you healthy!

Air chemistry and plant compounds

Forests also change the chemistry of the air. Trees release volatile organic compounds, including terpenes often called phytoncides, which are inhaled during time in woodland settings. These compounds are one of the leading candidates for some of the measurable biological effects seen in forest-bathing research.

Human studies have reported that forest exposure is associated with higher natural killer cell activity, higher natural killer cell numbers, and increased levels of intracellular proteins such as perforin, granulysin, and granzymes. Researchers think this may happen partly through direct effects of plant compounds and partly through reduced stress physiology, because high sympathetic tone and high cortisol tend to suppress immune function.

Forests can also improve local air quality by removing or intercepting some pollutants and particulate matter on leaf surfaces. In practical terms, this means a forest can offer air that is cleaner, cooler, and less irritating to breathe than a more built-up environment.

If you've read this far then the idea of spending time in the forest has piqued your curiosity.

So, how about you come and try it out for yourself at the Forest Circadian Retreat?

2nd-4th October, click on the image below for more info and videos: