Forest bathing - how the Japanese art of shirin-yoku can soothe your body, mind and soul
Imagine for a moment you are stood in the middle of a beautiful forest. Feel the firm forest floor supporting the weight of your body, the cool air on your skin, the sound of birds and other forest life around you, the visual dance of light and shadow, greens and browns, and even the taste of the forest air on your tongue. This scene is naturally very calming to us humans, it is where we came from, and whether we know it or not we yearn to feel a deep connection to these places.
Something very special happens when you allow yourself to be totally present in nature, consciously detaching your awareness from technology and the trappings of our modern society and all the stimulation it provides us. The beautiful, gentle yet powerful practice of Forest Bathing draws on thousands of years of intuitive knowledge; that we are not separate from nature - we are a part of it, we are it.
So what actually is forest bathing?
Forest Bathing has been practised for centuries, though for a long time it had no particular name. It was just a core part of the way we lived. The name itself originated in Japan in the 1980’s, where it is known as shirin-yoku - which literally translates as ‘taking in the forest atmosphere’ or ‘forest bathing’. It was given an official status by the Japanese government as a way to combat the increases in stress and anxiety resulting from the rapid urbanisation and technological advancements seen there in the 1970’s.
It has been gaining increasing popularity in the rest of the world since then as a viable, effective and wonderfully enjoyable antidote to the stresses of our daily lives, and has really exceptional benefits to physical and mental health.
How do you do it?
Forest bathing, in its simplest form, is the practice of mindful walking in nature. It is all about enjoying, and establishing your connection with nature and the deeply healing properties that the experience has. If you ask me, there really are no rules! But I give some tips below based on my own experience:
Take your time - for me, this is probably the most important. Allow yourself to deliberately slow down from your ‘normal’ walking pace. In this way, you’ll get the chance to notice the things you might normally walk past. It’s not often we get to move slowly, so make the most of how good it feels (and if it takes some time to be comfortable going slower than normal, that is totally okay)
Value silence - it’s easy to be in silence if you’re alone, but if you’re in a group it’s a good idea to agree that you will do most, or all of the walk in silence. It really helps when trying to engage your senses, and moving away from the thinking, narrative mind
Minimise technology - having a phone with you might be necessary for safety reasons, but put it away in a bag or on aeroplane mode so you aren’t tempted to use it as you normally would.
Follow your instinct - try tapping into what ‘your gut’ wants to do. If you see something which appeals to you - go there. If you are wondering whether to touch or smell something - do it. Try not to overthink and give in to what feels natural.
By moving through the natural environment in a deliberately leisurely and unhurried way, you are able to immerse yourself fully in it, allowing the mind to quiet and your senses to take in the full experience - and pleasure - that nature has to offer.
When I’m guiding, there are some really beautiful exercises which can be introduced during a Forest Bathing experience, each one designed to consciously engage the different senses in new and delightful ways. And whether you are alone or at an event, it’s also a lovely idea to take a moment at the start and end of your experience to note any differences in how you feel. You might just be surprised…
What are its benefits?
As you become settled into your experience, you start to feel your body relax, your breath become easier and deeper, your mind clearer. And naturally I find you start to feel a quiet sense of wonder at the vast complexity and intelligence before you. It feels like a direct line to the connection with nature that comes so automatically to us when we gift ourselves the time and space to rediscover it.
But what are the benefits for mind and body?
Reduces the stress hormone cortisol by up to 12.4% compared to an urban walk
Improves your mood through increased feelings of happiness and mental wellbeing
Enhances creativity - both meditation and time in nature have been shown to enhance creativity by helping you to think in new and less constrained ways
Boosts your immune system - plants and trees emit phytoncides, which have been proven to enhance the ability of our Natural Killer cells which help the body fight disease and pathogens
Reduces blood pressure - there are many studies which reliably show that both mindfulness practices, and spending time in nature reduce blood pressure. This beautiful practice combines the two!
How can I try it out?
On Saturday 15th June, I will be guiding a Forest Bathing experience with a twist… at Sandridge Barton Vineyard and Estate, Stoke Gabriel, Devon. This one-day event will involve a 2 hour ‘vineyard bathing’ experience, followed by a mindful wine tasting and rounded off with a private dining experience facilitated by their exceptional restaurant Circa.
Pre-release tickets will be on sale exclusively to my mailing list in the next few days - sign up at the bottom of this page to ensure you don’t miss them!
I can also guide Forest Bathing for private groups, either in your privately owned location or (with enough notice) in one of the beautiful woodland areas in Devon. Experiences usually last 2-3 hours, with a maximum group size of 20. Please contact me for enquiries, availability and pricing.
Of course, you can also do this gorgeous practice on your own any time. I would recommend going alone, or with someone who you can comfortably be in silence with, and giving yourself a good 1-2 hours to really enjoy!
Why I love forest bathing…
When I was little… I used to do so much walking with my mum and sister. There were always tons of dogs around and we used to spend weekends in the woods, on a trail or on a coastal path (always with a huge flask of coffee and some cake in tow). Growing up in Devon there was never a shortage of stunning places to go to!
Now…. My love of walking has only grown over the years. I love seeing how a landscape changes throughout the year, finding different things to touch and smell, the wonderful and immediate perspective it gives me on life. When I am walking in nature in a mindful way, something falls away - some sort of invisible barrier I wasn’t aware had gone up momentarily to dampen the deep connection I cherish with the natural world. Lately I also love using my Merlin app at the start of a walk so I get a sense of the bird life in the place I’m in (though I will then really minimise or abandon phone use for the remainder).
I love Forest Bathing most when… It’s early morning, and I have the time to really lose myself in the environment. Walking through a forest or woodland is my favourite place to engage in Forest Bathing, though I apply the same principles to a coastal path, walking through fields or even some of the stunning estates we have open to the public in Devon (like Sandridge Barton!)
My favourite spots are….
For forest - Haldon Forestry Park just outside of Exeter
For coast - the circular walk from Start Point near Kingsbridge. The views are a joke (even from the carpark), the rocky coastline reminds me of some prehistoric animal, and there are a few gorgeous beaches for a pitstop and a dip on the way round.
For estates - Sandridge Barton. The location is just stunning, and who doesn’t want to end their walk with a glass of exceptional wine?!
For exclusive access to tickets for the Sandridge Barton x Mindworks meditation ‘Vineyard Bathing’ event, sign up to my mailing list below.
