The Benefits of Forest Bathing
There's something deeply familiar about stepping into a forest: the way your shoulders drop, your breath slows, and the noise in your mind softens. Forest bathing, inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, is simply the act of bring present in nature. No hiking goals, no performance metrics, no bird lists to track - you're just slowing down and letting nature meet you where you are. And while you're at it, your physical and mental health benefit. How do we know? See below for links to many resources from the fields of Indigenous Science, public health, and psychology.
Books We Recommend
Research About the Practices
Stress Relief, Better Sleep, and A Boost for Mental Health
Modern life keeps our nervous systems on high alert, but forest bathing helps to gently shift us out of that “always-on” state. In fact, time in nature has been shown to:
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Lower cortisol, your body’s primary stress hormone (Triguero-Mas et al., 2017)
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Reduce heart rate and blood pressure (Groenewegen et al., 2018)
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Activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is your body's “rest and restore” mode (Lee et al., 2014; Park et al., 2010)
Even brief, mindful time in nature can interrupt cycles of rumination and overwhelm. When your body and mind settle in this way, sleep often follows. Therefore, forest bathing can:
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Help regulate sleep cycles (Wood et al., 2021; Stothard et al., 2017)
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Improve sleep quality (Ho et al., 2019; Luo et al., 2020)
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Reduce insomnia linked to stress and anxiety (Schamilow et al., 2023)
In other words, nature helps your body remember how to relax. Spending time in green spaces feels good in part because you are meaningfully supporting your emotional wellbeing. Research links forest bathing with:
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Reduced anxiety and symptoms of depression (Meyer and Kotsch, 2017; O’Brien et al., 2014; Tyrväinen et al., 2014; Martens and Bauer, 2013; Morita et al., 2007; Bratman et al., 2015; Bowler et al., 2010; Townsend, 2006)
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Improved mood and emotional resilience (Lee et al., 2014; Park et al., 2010; Lohr et al., 2006)
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Greater feelings of calm, clarity, and connection (Fan et al., 2011; Mitchell, 2013)