Forest Bathing
Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, “Stay awhile”.
– Mary Oliver
What Is Forest Bathing?
Forest Bathing, or ‘Shinrin-yoku’, is the art of immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the forest. Originating in Japan in the 1980s, Forest Bathing is about slowing down, awakening your senses and connecting deeply with yourself and the natural world around you. Forest Bathing is not about the distance or the destination, it is about arriving fully in the present moment with a willingness to shift from doing to being, from thinking to sensing.
During a Forest Bathing session we will wander slowly, pause often and open our senses to the world around us, guided by gentle invitations and mindfulness techniques designed to ground us and bring us to a quieter, more receptive state. We might listen to the sound of birdsong or notice the texture of bark beneath our fingertips, or we might spend time simply sitting in stillness, attuned to the rhythm of our own breath. Often we’ll gather together to share a herbal tea, allowing space for gentle reflection.
The practice of Forest Bathing, rooted in ancient ways of relating to the natural world, reminds us that we are not separate from nature – we are a part of nature. It is a quiet homecoming to the natural world and to yourself.
Why Forest Bathing?
Nature has always known how to hold and heal us, and now the science is reflecting this. When we walk slowly beneath the trees, something begins to shift. Our breath deepens, our mind chatter softens and we start to notice all the small, beautiful details. This isn’t just a feeling, it’s a physiological response – our parasympathetic nervous system is activated (the ‘rest and digest’ state that promotes healing and recovery), the immune system switches on and mood-lifting neurotransmitters begin to rise. A large part of this is down to the invisible compounds trees release called phytoncides (like nature’s essential oil), that, when inhaled, can be just as beneficial to humans as they are to the plants that produce them.
Some of the proven benefits of Forest Bathing include:
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Improvement in mood and lowered depression
- Stabilisation of blood pressure and lowered blood-sugar levels
- Boost in the immune system and increase in anti-cancer protein production
- Improvement in sleep, energy and concentration
- Sharpened focus and awakened creativity, imagination and memory
The effects of a Forest Bathing session can last well beyond your time in the woods, positively impacting your health and wellbeing for days. In a world that often pulls us away from ourselves and our place in nature, Forest Bathing invites us home – to our senses, our breath, and to the quiet intelligence of the earth.
What Forest Bathing Sessions Do We Offer?
We offer a variety of Forest Bathing sessions to meet you where you are, whether you’re seeking quiet reflection, accessible rest, or shared wonder with your children. Each session offers a slightly different path, but all lead to the same place – back to the present, back to nature and back to yourself. Some of the sessions we offer include:
Adult Forest Bathing
These sessions offer a gently guided walk for adults of all ages who wish to deepen their connection with the natural world and find stillness, rest and healing in the midst of everyday life. We move slowly and gently through the forest, pausing often, guided by a series of sensory invitations designed to bring you into the present moment. There’s space for quiet reflection and shared insights, providing an opportunity to slow down, to listen, to touch, to smell, to notice, and to simply be.
Accessible Forest Bathing
These sessions are designed with greater flexibility and inclusivity in mind, so that everyone, regardless of mobility, energy levels or sensory needs, can experience the benefits of slowing down and connecting with nature.
While the heart of the practice remains the same (gentle, guided invitations to engage the senses and inspire mindfulness in the present moment), our accessible sessions are thoughtfully adapted in the following ways:
- Shorter walking distance, using step-free, accessible paths.
- Slower pace with more frequent opportunities to sit, pause or rest.
- Flexible invitations, allowing participants to adapt or engage in whatever way feels comfortable.
- Gentler session length, typically shorter than standard sessions.
- Attention to sensory needs, including smaller group sizes and running sessions on quieter days and times of the week.
These sessions are ideal for people with limited mobility, chronic health conditions, sensory sensitivities, or simply those who feel more comfortable with a slower, softer approach. Nature meets us exactly as we are, and so do these sessions.
Family Nature-Connection Sessions
These sessions are playful, sensory and gentle, offering a chance for families to slow down together, away from screens and the busyness of life. Through curiosity, games, storytelling, quiet observation and hands-on discovery, children and grown-ups alike are encouraged to connect with nature and with one another, seeing the world with fresh eyes. It’s not a drop-off activity, but a shared experience – it’s a time for muddy hands, wide eyes and deep breaths side by side.
Group and Corporate Sessions
We also offer bespoke Forest Bathing sessions for groups, organisations and workplaces looking to support wellbeing, build meaningful connection, or simply create space for calm and clarity.
Find out more about these sessions by clicking the button below.
Forest Bathing is generally safe and beneficial for everyone, but if you have any severe medical conditions or health related concerns (including mental health issues, major surgeries, seizures, implants, special needs or severe allergies), we recommend getting advise from a medical professional before participating in a session, if appropriate. In addition, if you currently experience or have a history of serious health issues, you should let us know prior to the session so that we can ensure we provide an appropriate, safe and inclusive session.
If you are a wheelchair user or have severe mobility issues, we recommend you join one of our accessible sessions as these sessions adopt a particularly gentle and slow pace, utilising the accessible paths around the woodland.
Whilst we don’t want you to carry lots around the forest with you, it is important to bring a few essentials and we recommend you store them in a backpack or similar, to leave you free to explore!
We advise you to bring:
- A picnic mat/ground sheet or similar (ideally waterproof) for sitting/laying on the ground (a large bin bag will do the job if needed). Alternatively, a small folding chair, if that is more appropriate for you.
- A mug (not glass/smashable) for partaking in a guided tea-drinking exercise.
- In cooler temperatures (e.g. below 8 degrees) you may wish to bring hand warmers, a small hot water bottle and/or a blanket to help keep you warm.
- Weather-related essentials (e.g. suncream, sunhat, gloves, additional warm layers).
- Anything else you might need to feel comfortable throughout the session.
To get the most out of the session you need to stay warm, dry and comfortable. The temperature in woodlands is cooler, even in the summer, we will only be moving slowly, and when your body enters ‘rest and digest’ it tends to drop in temperature, so it is very easy to get cold.
We recommend you wear/bring with you:
- Plenty of layers of clothing (so you can adapt to changes in temperature) – particularly for colder weather, we recommend at least three layers and thermals.
- Long trousers and long sleeve tops – not only to keep you warm but also to protect you from stings and bites (this is particularly important in the summer months).
- Sturdy footwear with good grip and ankle support (ideally waterproof).
- Waterproof outer layers (top and bottom, if you have them).
- For autumn/winter months, bring additional layers of clothing, gloves, scarf and hat.
- For spring and summer months, consider a sunhat and suncream.
- As some exercises will involve the sense of smell, please do not wear strongly scented perfumes or cosmetics as this may impact you and others from tuning into more subtle natural scents.
Please note that if you do not have suitable clothing, your guide may decide it is not safe for you to participate in the session.
We can Forest Bathe in any weather so please don’t let any rain put you off attending the session. Rain (and snow) can bring unique sensory experiences that make for a magical session. Not only this, but rain can unlock healing compounds contained in the forest, so some of the best sessions happen in the rain. Just be sure to bring warm, waterproof clothing!
Whilst Forest Bathing is an all-weather activity, it may be necessary to alter or cancel an event if it is not safe to proceed – this is most likely in the event of high winds or thunderstorms. Please check your emails the day before and on the day of the event in case we need to alert you to any issues.
As much as we love our furry four-legged friends, Forest Bathing sessions are designed to be quiet and meditative with minimal distractions, so we kindly ask that dogs stay at home.
That being said, Forest Bathing can be a beautiful practice to try on your own walks with your dog, so they can still be a wonderful companion for your personal Forest Bathing adventures.
There is no strict rule – for some, a single session can bring a profound sense of calm and clarity, for others, it becomes a regular wellbeing practice to stay grounded, connected and well.
Research has shown that the benefits of Forest Bathing are cumulative, meaning that they grow and deepen the more regularly you practice. Certain benefits, like the boost in immune function, have been proven to last up to 30 days, meaning a monthly session can offer lasting physiological benefits.
That being said, the frequency depends on your own personal needs and circumstances, so let this guide you – this might mean joining a guided session once a month, weaving Forest Bathing techniques into your weekly routine, or simply stepping outside with awareness a bit more often.
Yes, we ask that parents or guardians stay with their children throughout the experience and take responsibility for supervising them to help ensure their safety.
The sessions are designed for the whole family, as an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and to reconnect with nature and each other. The activities are designed to be accessible and engaging for all ages, encouraging curiosity, exploration, play and reflection without screens or distractions. It is a chance to rediscover the joy and meaning of spending mindful time outdoors as a family.
Ready to Step Into the Forest?
Book your session here.