What is Forest Bathing?

Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku (literally “taking in the forest atmosphere”), is a Japanese practice developed in the 1980s as a response to rising stress and tech dependency. It involves mindfully immersing oneself in a natural environment, often a forest, by walking slowly and focusing on sensory engagement rather than physical exertion. According to UBC Nature Therapy Institute, unlike hiking, which typically emphasizes destination and fitness, forest bathing invites participants to "simply be" among the trees, engaging all five senses to observe, listen, and breathe deeply.

According to Dr. Qing Li, a leading researcher in forest medicine, forest bathing doesn’t require strenuous activity but rather a willingness to connect with nature. “All we have to do is accept the invitation,” Li writes. “Mother Nature does the rest”​

Why is Forest Bathing So Popular Now?

Several factors have driven the rise of forest bathing into mainstream wellness. First, the COVID-19 pandemic heightened people’s appreciation for outdoor activities as a means of managing stress and improving mental health. Additionally, the global wellness industry has increasingly embraced practices that connect mind and body with nature, making forest therapy a natural fit.

Modern scientific research validates the practice’s benefits. A study led by Japan’s Forest Therapy Study Group, which Dr. Li helped establish, found that forest bathing lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, and boosts immunity. Phytoncides—organic compounds released by trees, particularly evergreens—are thought to enhance immune function, reduce inflammation, and improve mood when inhaled​.

Associate Professor Guangyu Wang from the University of British Columbia, who studies nature therapy, reportedly emphasized the benefits of forest therapy for those living in urban settings. “In Vancouver, we have fantastic forests for people to enjoy, so I encourage people to go outside,” Wang says, adding that time in nature “can improve sleep quality, boost mood, and lower blood pressure”​

Science Behind the Tranquility

The effectiveness of forest bathing lies in its capacity to engage our sensory awareness. Dan Mager, MSW, writing for Psychology Today, describes natural environments as “portals to present-centeredness,” allowing us to step away from our usual mental chatter. Forests create a calm that helps lower cortisol levels, reducing the fight-or-flight response, which is often over-activated in modern life​

Mager also highlights the practice’s grounding effects. When we pause to notice details in nature, like the rustle of leaves or the scent of pine, it anchors us in the moment and fosters a profound sense of interconnectedness with the environment. This is why many people report feelings of awe, spirituality, and enhanced mental clarity following a forest bathing experience​

Beyond academic studies, forest bathing has inspired many practitioners to integrate it into their wellness offerings. M. Amos Clifford, founder of the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, teaches guides worldwide to lead forest therapy walks. “Forest bathing isn’t just a walk in the woods,” Clifford explains. “It’s about noticing what’s happening around you and within you, without a specific goal or destination”​

Dr. Susan Albers, a psychologist with the Cleveland Clinic, also endorses forest therapy as a form of mindfulness. “Forest bathing is a great way to get started with mindfulness,” Albers says, encouraging clients to “breathe deeply and turn your focus inward” even if only for a few minutes each day​

How to Try Forest Bathing

For those new to forest bathing, the following approach, inspired by Dr. Li’s recommendations, provides a simple start:

Forest therapy is expanding, with wellness centers and urban programs introducing guided walks, virtual reality experiences, and even indoor forest-inspired spaces to simulate the benefits for those far from natural landscapes. The practice popularized in Japan and gaining traction globally​

As forest bathing continues to gain attention, it reflects a broader trend of returning to nature to find mental and physical balance. The profound sense of calm and well-being it offers may just make forest bathing one of the most enduring wellness trends of our time.