Shinrin-Yoku was developed in the 80s in Japan. This melodic name is constituted from ”Shinrin” that means forest and ”Yoku ” that means bath. Forest bathing is simply the mindful time spent under the canopy of trees detached from everything else. A way to connect to nature by being fully present and perceptive while using all our senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch.

Days are getting visibly longer now. The snow has melted and even though it leaves behind a quite desolate landscape, I find in this loss of winter magic the memory and promise of a fragrant spring. And the spring means time to go back to the forest. I’ve always felt particularly good in the forest: calmer, more focused and cheerful, happier… and I was attributing all these feelings only to the clean air and to the disconnection from my phone and other devices when I walk or jog in the forest.



In the same period when my curiosity for this topic was growing, articles have started popping up for forest bathing and its effects on our physical and mental health. I discovered the fascinating Japanese philisophy of Shinrin-yoku and I wanted to learn more about it.

What is Shinrin-yoku ?

Shinrin-Yoku was developed in the 80s in Japan. This melodic name is constituted from ”Shinrin” that means forest and ”Yoku ” that means bath. Forest bathing is simply the mindful time spent under the canopy of trees detached from everything else. A way to connect to nature by being fully present and perceptive while using all our senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch.

This movement whose positive effects on health are today also backed by scientific evidence became very popular in Japan and from there it spread all over the world. Shinrin-yoku certified guides and Forest bathing Institutes were founded in almost every country.

Health benefits of forest therapy

The most recent studies have shown that forest bathing if practiced regularly can improve our physical health and lead to reduced blood pressure, lower cortisol levels and improved focus and memory. Also many of the benefits on our immune system were found to be result of the special chemical - phytoncides - released by trees and plants. Particularly interesting is the effect of the forest on our mental health and well being. The study ”Effects of Shinrin-yoku and nature therapy on mental health” by Yasuhiro Kotera, Miles Richardson, David Sheffield, 2022, found Shinrin-yoku to be effective in reducing mental health symptoms, especially anxiety, in short term.

How to do it ?

Forest bathing is a sensory exercise where we try to be in the present moment and move as slow as possible with our body and mind. There is not a destination we need to reach nor a specific goal. It’s a real time off that we almost never have in the everyday life. We should walk without any device and focus and absorb everything surrounding us. By identifying smells, recognizing patters and textures, watching colors and touching the tree trunks we try to connect to the nature. A usual Shinrin-yoku session in Japan lasts around 3hrs. Will you try it ?


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