I’ve been a Nature & Forest Therapy Guide for over seven years, and during my Master’s in Integrative Health Studies, my thesis explored the profound psychological and physiological benefits of forest bathing. This practice illuminates the connection between mind, body, and spirit, drawing from compelling research that shows the health benefits of spending time in nature. By incorporating mindfulness into the experience of being in the forest, forest bathing offers a unique opportunity to enhance well-being and deepen our relationship with the natural world.
Recently, I returned from South Korea, where I witnessed something truly remarkable: nature was seamlessly woven into daily life. I saw dozens of federally funded forest therapy institutes, healing forests, and thoughtfully designed green spaces—places like plant sanctuaries nestled in subway stations and airports, and gardens in the heart of Seoul, a bustling city of more than 10 million people. It was in these urban spaces, filled with trees and gardens, that I saw how nature can be integrated into the very fabric of our daily lives. The infusion of nature into urban life is exactly what we need in today’s world.
The forest therapy centers I visited were extraordinary, making nature not only accessible but also comfortable. Each center is staffed with skilled guides who help people slow down and reconnect with nature through a variety of practices and tools. It’s this simple yet profound practice of slowing down and rediscovering ourselves in nature that struck me most. Nature-based therapy is something our modern world desperately needs, and it is just as valuable today as it was for our ancestors. It inspired me to imagine a future where this connection to the natural world isn’t a rare experience, but an everyday reality for everyone.
Still, I’ll admit, sometimes it’s hard to explain what I do. “I guide people into nature to help them slow down and reconnect,” I’ll say. The simplicity of what I do can be disarming. After all, shouldn’t people just go outside and reconnect with nature on their own? The answer is both yes—and no.
A Practice That’s Ancient Yet More Relevant Than Ever
In every forest bathing session I guide, I emphasize that this isn’t about learning something new. Quite the opposite: I believe this is about remembering.
Remembering how to slow down.
Remembering how to listen to the wind in the trees, the birdsong, the rhythm of your own breath.
Remembering how to connect—to the world around us, to each other, and to ourselves.
This connection isn’t something I teach; it’s something I help people rediscover. It’s an innate wisdom we all carry, but it’s easy to forget in the whirlwind of modern life.
I invite participants to share what nature means to them, and time and again, I often hear how it reminds them of their childhoods—happy memories of exploring with curiosity and joy, relishing in the simple pleasures of nature. Their answers often reveal a shared truth: nature is where they find clarity, peace, and healing.
As they reflect, I see something profound—a light returning to their eyes, dulled by years of adapting to the relentless pace of modern life. Over the last four decades—my lifetime—our world has transformed. The rise of technology, urbanization, and the demands of modern life have fundamentally altered how we live. Forest bathing, which emerged in 1980s Japan during the world’s first tech boom, was a response to “karoshi,” or death from overwork. Chronic stress and its health impacts were just beginning to be understood then. Today, they’re a global epidemic.
Slowing Down: The Greatest Challenge of All
If I could distill my work into one phrase, it would be this: I help people remember how to slow down.
In 2024, this is no small feat. We are fast people. We rush from one task to the next, tethered to productivity and accomplishment. Slowing down feels counterintuitive—almost wrong.
When I guide a mindful walking experience, I let participants know I will set the pace. And I mean slow. I kid you not, people will sometimes trail at my heels, visibly uncomfortable. Moving this slowly can feel annoying at first. Why? Because many of us are addicted to speed. We’re used to doing, achieving, producing.
But here’s the truth: moving slowly allows us to see. It allows us to observe beauty, notice the subtle movements around us, and spend time appreciating anything that evokes awe and wonder. These are not frivolous acts; they are deeply human acts. And they reconnect us to the world we are part of—the planet we are citizens of and stewards to.
What Is Forest Bathing?
Forest bathing—a term that might sound unfamiliar or even strange to some (and no, you don’t need a bathing suit—and yes, I get that question often!)—is a simple, accessible practice rooted in immersing yourself in nature with presence and intention. The essence of forest bathing is about slowing down, engaging your senses, and allowing the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural world to restore your mind and body. Research shows that spending time in forests can lower stress, improve mood, and boost immune function. This mindfulness practice connects us deeply with nature, promoting healing through sensory immersion.
While forest bathing can be practiced alone, what I offer and guide aligns more closely with forest therapy—a structured, evidence-based approach that involves a trained guide to facilitate mindfulness exercises, therapeutic activities, and reflective practices. Forest therapy goes beyond simply experiencing nature; it’s about using nature as a tool for deeper healing and personal transformation. Research consistently shows that the support of a trained guide enhances the therapeutic benefits of nature.
I refer to my sessions as "forest bathing experiences" because the term is becoming more widely recognized and understood. However, my approach blends the sensory engagement of forest bathing with the therapeutic, guided structure of forest therapy to facilitate meaningful transformation.
As a trained guide with a background in integrative health, trauma-informed care, meditation, and resilience-building, my sessions are designed to support the nervous system and encourage participants to reconnect with both nature and themselves. These experiences foster peace, presence, and healing through nature's restorative power, offering a deep sense of renewal and reflection.
Nature as Mirror
Nature is a profound teacher. Its rhythms and processes reflect the human experience in ways that words often cannot. The shifting wind, the sunlight dancing on water, the quiet stillness of a forest grove, and the decaying trees—all offer metaphors for our inner world.
We, too, live within seasons and cycles. We embody processes of death and rebirth, of chaos and transformation. By attuning to this connection, participants gain clarity, insight, and a deeper sense of belonging.
A World Out of Balance
In 2024, our relationship with nature has become increasingly fragmented. The average American spends less than 10 hours a week outdoors, with over half spending fewer than five hours. Much of that time isn’t in open natural spaces like forests or trails but simply outside the confines of four walls.
This disconnection comes at a cost: skyrocketing rates of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and chronic illnesses. While these issues aren’t solely caused by a lack of nature, research shows that reconnecting with nature is part of the solution.
Forest bathing and forest therapy provide a simple, evidence-based way to reduce stress, improve mood, and boost overall well-being. But in a world dominated by screens and constant demands, most of us need guidance to slow down and reawaken our senses.
Why a Guide Matters
The simplicity of forest bathing is both its beauty and its challenge. Yes, anyone can step outside. But in a world dominated by technology and overstimulation, many of us have forgotten how to truly be in nature—how to slow down, disconnect, and be present. We carry our phones everywhere—into bedrooms, bathrooms, and even forests—often unable to break free from a technology-induced trance.
Guides serve as a bridge back to presence, creating safe spaces to gently lead participants to reconnect with their senses, their breath, and the vibrant life teeming around them and within them. We don’t provide something new; we simply help people remember what’s been there all along.
This practice sparks joy, awe, and empowerment. Participants leave realizing the connection they’ve felt doesn’t come from a practitioner “fixing them”—it’s something they’ve carried within themselves all along. The beauty of this practice is that they can take it home, using it to foster mindfulness and connection even in the midst of a busy city.
Here are some powerful ways a single guided session can make a lasting impact, as shared by participants:
“I’ve started noticing so much more in nature, like the changing colors of leaves and birds singing. I’ve even begun researching forest bathing on my own to deepen my understanding.”
“It deepened my appreciation for nature, leading me to incorporate more nature walks and outdoor activities into my routine.”
“I feel more energized and creative. It shifted my trajectory in life and work in significant ways.”
“Even on neighborhood walks, I now pay attention to landscaping and small details. Forest bathing helped me both zoom in and zoom out on my surroundings and realize the many positive effects of nature.”
“I’ve been incorporating the mindfulness I learned into my daily life.”
“Being outside has become a daily ritual—something I need to feel connected.”
These testimonials show that even one guided experience can have a profound, lasting effect. It’s about helping participants rediscover their innate connection to nature—and the transformation that follows.
A Complement to Healthcare in Crisis
Our healthcare system is struggling. Post-pandemic, burnout among providers is rampant, and waiting lists stretch for months. Forest therapy is not a replacement for medical care, but it’s a vital complement. It empowers individuals to take control of their well-being through simple, profound practices.
Nature reminds us we are not separate from it. Reconnecting with the natural world is a way of coming home—to ourselves and to the planet.
Finding Your Way Back
If this resonates, I encourage you to find a guide. Resources like the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and Forest Therapy Hub can connect you to professionals offering guided nature connection sessions. I offer services in Sonoma County, the Bay Area, and beyond for those seeking deeper connection with nature.
Together, let’s step outside, slow down, and reconnect with the world that sustains us—rediscovering our innate wisdom and our connection to the world around us.
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