What is forest bathing?
This Japanese practice is a process of relaxation, known in Japan as shinrin yoku. The simple method of being calm and quiet amongst the trees, observing nature around you whilst breathing deeply can help both adults and children de-stress and boost health and wellbeing in a natural way.
Below are our top tips for beginners and activities to get your meditation journey started and some ideas of where to start your forest bathing. Want a hand getting started? Find a guided session near you.
Forest bathing tips for beginners
Turn off your devices to give yourself the best chance of relaxing, being mindful and enjoying a sensory forest-based experience.
Slow down. Move through the forest slowly so you can see, hear and feel more.
Take long breaths deep into the abdomen. Extending the exhalation of air to twice the length of the inhalation sends a message to the body that it can relax.
Stop, stand or sit and smell what’s around you. What can you smell?
Ways to connect with nature
Take in your surroundings using all of your senses. How does the forest environment make you feel? Be observant, look at nature’s small details.
Sit quietly using mindful observation; try to avoid thinking about your to-do list or issues related to daily life. You might be surprised by the number of wild forest inhabitants you see using this process.
Keep your eyes open. The colours of nature are soothing and studies have shown that people relax best while seeing greens and blues.
Stay as long as you can. Start with a comfortable time limit and build up to the recommended two hours for a complete forest bathing experience.
Record your experiences to help you reflect and remember at a later time. Download our forest wellbeing journal to get started.
Who is forest bathing suitable for?
Forest bathing exercises can be great fun for adults and children alike, and useful in teaching concentration and mindfulness, whilst also providing an excellent opportunity to learn from each other. Download our forest bathing guide and start off with short periods of forest bathing to introduce it to your children.
We advise adult supervision while practicing forest bathing with children. Watch out for brambles and stinging nettles as these are present in woodlands and forests.
Where can I go to forest bathe?
With thousands of incredible forest locations around the country, you're actually quite spoilt for choice. Some of our forests offer guided forest bathing sessions and wellbeing trails. Or simply head to your closest site and get started on your own.
Once you've found a destination that works for you, we recommend visiting outside of peak hours for optimum quiet time. Try bathing early on a weekend morning or on a weekday afternoon whilst the kids are school.
Forest bathe from home
Can't get to the forest? Enjoy the peace of nature from the comfort of your own space with our virtual forest bathing gallery. Research has shown that just looking at pictures of forest scenery can cause changes in the body and brain that make us feel more relaxed. Our forest bathing video playlist is another great way to immerse yourself in the forest from home.
