What is Forest Bathing?

Written By Hugh Asher

5th December 2021

Spending time in forested areas for the purpose of enhancing health, wellbeing and happiness has been practiced in Japan for several centuries, where it is now referred to as ‘Shinrin-yoku’. It is the practice of walking slowly and leisurely through the woods or forest, inhaling the forest air, immersing yourself in the natural environment and mindfully using all your senses, opening them to the forest atmosphere and fostering an emotional connection to the landscape and environment. It has its origins in Buddhist nature-connection practices and the beliefs within the Shinto religion about the healing powers of forests, and the trees spirits which live within them.

The practice typically doesn't involve intense physical activity but rather encourages people to slow down, observe their surroundings, breathe deeply, and engage their senses fully. Forest Bathing can be guided by a facilitator or practiced individually, and it can include activities like mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, and simply being present in the forest environment.

Research suggests that spending time in nature, particularly in forests, can have various health benefits, including reduced stress levels, lowered blood pressure, improved mood, increased focus, and a boost to the immune system. These positive effects are believed to stem from inhaling phytoncides, the natural chemicals emitted by trees and plants, as well as the overall calming and rejuvenating impact of being in a natural environment.

Shinrin-Yoku and the Origins of Forest Bathing

The word Shinrin-yoku was first used by Tomohide Akiyama, the Director General of the Japanese Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries in 1982 and translates as ‘Forest Bath’ – the characters even look a little like trees:

森林浴

The creation of this forest therapy practice was a response to a growing public health crisis in Japan in the early 1980s as a result of increases in anxiety and stress-related illness, attributed to increased urbanisation and working long overtime hours. In fact the Japanese have coined the term ‘Karoshi’ (過労死) which can be translated literally as ‘overwork death’, to describe this type of sudden occupational mortality.

Forest Bathing has been developed into an evidence-based approach to improving health and wellbeing through the curative effects of forests, that is often define as ‘a health promoting, salutogenic, nature connection practice that aims to enhance well-being, relieve stress, and encourage relaxation’. Salutogenisis is an approach to health promotion that focuses on factors that support good health and wellbeing, and are therefore seen as primarily preventative.

As the Forest Therapy Hub describe:

“Forest Bathing is a nature-based well-being practice that enhances our natural ability to adapt to change in our lives, more positively and healthily, supporting a better quality of life.”

Find out more about what to expect on a Forest Bathing walk.

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Hugh Asher

I’m Hugh and I’m a Certified Forest Bathing Guide and Forest Therapy Practitioner, having trained with the Forest Therapy Institute and the Forest Therapy Hub. My purpose in life is to inspire people to improve their wellbeing, and to help people to help and inspire others to improve their wellbeing. I do this through promoting greater nature connection as I am a passionate believer in the benefits to health and wellbeing that nature and increased connection to nature can bring.

Professionally, I have worked for over twenty years supporting people experiencing: mental health problems; autism; learning disabilities; school exclusion; experience of the care system; and a history of offending behaviour. Currently I am the ‘Recovery Through Nature Lead’ in a residential rehab for people experiencing drug and alcohol problems.

I have a PhD in Therapeutic Relationships, but Dr. Hugh makes me sound too much like a Time Lord.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugh-asher/
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What is Nature Connection?