What is Forest Bathing?
The term Shinrin-yoku means “forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere.” It was introduced by Japan’s Ministry of Forestry in the early 1980s as a public health practice to promote wellness. The idea was simple: time in the forest could help people feel better.
Forest bathing is not hiking or exercise, but something slower and more intentional. It is a form of mindfulness practiced with the natural world. It invites a different pace, one that allows the body to settle and the senses to awaken. By walking slowly, noticing without rushing, and tuning in to sight, sound, scent, touch, and taste, the nervous system begins to soften. In the presence of trees, regulation returns, without effort.
In a world that moves fast and demands more, forest bathing offers a rare invitation to come back to yourself, one quiet moment at a time.
Research has shown forest bathing: lowers cortisol and blood pressure, improves mood, sleep, and focus, strengthens immunity through phytoncides, the natural oils released by trees, and supports the nervous system’s shift from stress to regulation.
But the roots of this practice are much older.
Across cultures, people have always turned to the forest to think, to feel, to heal.
More Than Wellness: A Practice of Belonging
Forest bathing is not just about calming the body though.
It is about relationship, being in connection with the land and with the quiet intelligence of nature. This is not about escape. It is about return. A remembering. When people learn how to be with nature, they remember not only how to care for themselves but how to care for the world around them.
Nature Is Nearer Than You Think
You don’t need the forest or a perfect trail to begin.
Nature is wherever life is.
A tree in a courtyard.
A plant on a windowsill.
A breeze through a half-open door.
A patch of sky above the roof.
A birdsong in the early morning.
Wherever there is life, there is the possibility of reconnection.
Let the breath slow.
Let the body be still.
Let the living world, wherever you find it, begin its quiet work.
Some of the Science
In 2025, a comprehensive literature review explored over 30 studies and affirmed forest bathing’s ability to support cardiovascular health, sleep, and nervous system regulation. Read the full review →
A global overview in 2024 found consistent reports of lowered blood pressure, reduced stress hormones, and improved well-being across diverse forest immersion experiences. See the overview →
Another 2024 study documented meaningful drops in blood pressure among older adults following nature-based sessions. Explore the study →
References
Li, Q. (2025). Preventive effects of forest bathing (Shinrin-Yoku) on cardiovascular diseases: A literature review. Forests, 16(2), 310. https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/16/2/310
Denche‑Zamorano, Á., Tapia‑Serrano, M. Á., Villafaina, S., Sánchez‑Miguel, P. A., & García‑Hermoso, A. (2024). Global review of literature on forest bathing: A bibliometric analysis and emerging themes. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381879883_Global_Review_of_Literature_on_Forest_Bathing
Garibay‑Chávez, M. G., Curiel‑Ballesteros, A., García de Alba‑García, J., Borja‑Arreola, M., Moreno‑Ramírez, D., & Santos‑Zamora, E. (2024). Effects of forest bathing on blood pressure and heart rate in older adults in Mexico. Forests, 15(7), 1254. https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/15/7/1254
Photograph 1: Coastal Maine forest path, Cutler, ME
Photograph 2: Forest love, Enfield, NH
Photograph 3: Early morning light on the farm, Claremont, NH
