Shinrin-Yoku: Forest Bathing Activities and How They Transform Travel
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Travel can be an enriching experience, but it also comes with challenges—packed schedules, long flights, and the constant pressure to see and do everything can leave you drained.
As a certified holistic nutritionist and permaculturist, I’ve spent years studying nature’s healing potential, both personally and professionally. One practice that stands out for relieving travel fatigue and promoting well-being is Shinrin-yoku or forest bathing activities.
Shinrin-yoku, which means “taking in the forest atmosphere,” is a Japanese practice that uses nature to reduce stress and restore balance.
It’s a simple yet effective way to recover from the mental and physical exhaustion of travel, allowing you to reconnect with your surroundings and boost your overall health. I’ll share the benefits of forest bathing and how you can incorporate it into your travel routine to transform your journeys.
What is Shinrin-Yoku?
Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is the practice of mindfully immersing oneself in a natural environment.
Unlike hiking, which often focuses on reaching a destination, forest bathing is about slowing down and fully engaging with nature through your senses.
- Walking slowly in a forest or green space allows your mind and body to absorb the therapeutic benefits of nature
- Shinrin-yoku helps you reconnect with nature and yourself
- This practice began in Japan in the 1980s as a response to urbanization and stress
- It has become a global wellness trend supported by scientific research
- The essence of forest bathing is experiencing nature with full sensory awareness
Why Forest Bathing is Perfect for Slow Travel
Slow travel emphasizes quality over quantity—immersing yourself in the culture, landscapes, and people of a place rather than rushing from one tourist spot to another.
Shinrin-yoku fits perfectly within this ethos because it encourages you to pause, reflect, and appreciate the natural beauty around you, helping you to truly experience a destination.
Imagine waking up early during a trip to a new country, taking a leisurely walk through a nearby forest or park, and allowing your senses to take in every aspect of your surroundings—the texture of tree bark, the sound of birdsong, or the smell of damp earth.
This practice can transform how you engage with your environment, helping you connect with nature more deeply and enhancing your appreciation of the place you’re visiting.
By incorporating forest bathing into your travels, you can counteract the common stressors of travel—jet lag, fatigue, and mental overload—and create moments of tranquillity amid the excitement of exploring new destinations.
It’s a perfect practice for slow travel enthusiasts who want to add more mindfulness and relaxation to their itineraries.
Health Benefits of Shinrin-Yoku
Shinrin-yoku is not only a pleasant way to spend time, but it has been scientifically proven to enhance both mental and physical health.
Mental Health Benefits
One of the most significant benefits of forest bathing is its ability to reduce stress. Numerous studies have shown that spending time in nature can lower levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, which in turn calms the nervous system.
Forest bathing also reduces anxiety and depression by encouraging mindfulness and helping individuals to feel more present and connected to their surroundings.
Being in nature naturally promotes a sense of peace and well-being. The act of slowing down and engaging with your senses helps bring your mind back to the present, reducing the mental clutter that often accompanies travel.
When you’re fully immersed in nature, the noise and distractions of daily life fade, allowing you to focus on the beauty and simplicity of the moment.
Research has shown that spending time in nature can reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, and even enhance immune function by increasing exposure to phytoncides—natural compounds emitted by trees that promote health. It just keeps getting better, doesn’t it?
Let’s keep going. . .
Physical Health Benefits
The physical benefits of forest bathing are equally profound. Trees release organic compounds called phytoncides, which protect them from harmful organisms. When humans breathe in these phytoncides, they receive similar protective effects.
Additionally, regular exposure to natural environments through Shinrin-yoku has been linked to lower blood pressure, improved heart health, and enhanced sleep quality. The practice also helps lower inflammation and supports overall cardiovascular health, making it a simple yet powerful way to stay healthy, especially when on the go.
How to Practice Shinrin-Yoku During Your Travels
Whether you’re hiking through a national park or visiting a nearby green space, incorporating forest bathing into your travels is easier than you might think. Here’s how to start:
1. Find Your Green Space
You don’t need to travel to a remote forest to practice Shinrin-yoku. A local park, botanical garden, or even a nature trail near your accommodation can offer the same benefits. The key is to find a spot where you can be surrounded by nature, away from the distractions of city life.
2. Engage Your Senses
The heart of forest bathing is sensory engagement. Start by tuning into your breath—inhale deeply and take in the scent of the trees and plants around you.
Then, use your other senses: listen to the birds, feel the textures of leaves and bark, and watch how the light filters through the trees. Let go of any urge to rush or think about what’s next. Be fully present in the moment.
3. Move Slowly
Forest bathing has no destination. The goal isn’t to complete a hike or reach a lookout—it’s to wander slowly and immerse yourself in the environment. As you walk, stop frequently to observe the small details around you—the patterns on a leaf, the sound of running water, or the movement of shadows.
4. Unplug and Disconnect
Leave your phone and camera behind, or at least keep them out of sight. The essence of Shinrin-yoku is unplugging from technology and connecting deeply with nature. Resist the urge to document the experience and focus instead on how it makes you feel.
Bringing Forest Bathing Closer to Home
You don’t need to wait until your next vacation to experience the benefits of forest bathing. Here are some ways you can incorporate this practice into your everyday life, even if you live in a busy city:
Visit a Local Park
Many urban areas have parks, gardens, or small green spaces where you can practice forest bathing. Even spending 15–30 minutes sitting under a tree or walking along a nature trail can help you decompress and reconnect with nature.
Create a Nature Sanctuary at Home
If you have limited access to green spaces, consider creating a nature-inspired corner at home. Forest bathing essential oils, indoor plants, or even nature sounds can replicate the calming effects of a natural environment. This can serve as a personal retreat when you need to take a break from daily life. 🧘🏽♀️
Take Mindful Walks
Even in the city, you can incorporate the principles of forest bathing by taking a slow, mindful walk in your neighbourhood. Focus on the trees lining the streets, notice the small details around you, and engage your senses fully.
How Forest Bathing Helped Me Find Peace in Vancouver’s Forests
One of the most peaceful experiences I’ve had is walking through the forests of Vancouver, especially when I allow myself to slow down and immerse in the surroundings without a particular destination in mind. This is especially beneficial when I can take these walks early in the day to have more mindful mornings.
The coastal rainforests, with their towering trees, gentle streams, and fresh air, provide a sense of calm and presence unlike anything else.
When I walk slowly through these trails, without the pressure of reaching the top of a mountain or a specific lookout point, I feel more alive.
There’s something deeply rejuvenating about wandering at my own pace, paying attention to the way sunlight filters through the leaves, the earthy scent of the forest, and the soft sounds of nature.
Forest bathing, for me, is about letting go of expectations and simply being in the moment. It’s a reminder that nature doesn’t ask us to rush or achieve—it invites us to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with ourselves.
Whether I’m at home or travelling, I find that this slower pace transforms not only how I experience the forest but also how I feel about the day ahead.
Final Thoughts on Shinrin-Yoku and Slow Travel
Shinrin-yoku offers a unique way to slow down and connect with nature, turning travel into a more mindful and restorative experience.
Whether you’re wandering through a dense forest or strolling through a city park, forest bathing helps you cultivate a deeper connection with your surroundings, reduce stress, and enhance your overall sense of well-being.
By incorporating this practice into your travels—and your daily life—you can transform the way you experience the world, finding moments of peace and calm wherever you go.
Ready to incorporate more mindfulness into your travels? Download my free guide, “Slow Down and Connect Your Guide to Nature Travel,” to explore more ways to integrate mindfulness and forest bathing into your journeys and start experiencing the profound benefits of nature wherever you go.
