03/17/2026
Have you ever stopped to notice that sense of calm you get when walking in the woods/forest. What is it about nature that has the ability to almost immediately calm us down after our stress filled days?
Shinrin-Yoku, or Forest Bathing is a Japanese therapy developed in the 1980’s. It has quickly become a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine.
In the past several decades, there have been many scientific studies that have demonstrated the mechanisms behind the healing effects of simply being in wild and natural areas. Many coniferous trees (including fir, spruce, and pine) give off organic compounds called phytoncides, that support our “NK” (natural killer) cells that are part of our immune system’s way of fighting cancer. These same phytoncides also decrease stress hormone levels and improve immunity for 7 days and in some cases, up to 30 days. The citrus fragrance found in forests affects the human endocrine and immune system in those with depression.
Studies show that people living in a highly forested area, show lower mortality due to cancers, including lung, breast and uterine cancer in females, and prostate, kidney, and colon cancer in males. Conversely, those living in lower forest coverage had a higher breast and prostate cancer rates.
The scientifically proven benefits of Shinrin-yoku include:
• Boosted immune system functioning
• Reduced blood pressure
• Reduced stress
• Improved mood
• Increased ability to focus, even in children with ADHD
• Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness
• Increased energy level
• Improved sleep
If you think it all sounds too good to be true, why not try it yourself? If you don’t have a forest or woodland nearby, you can also practice Shinrin-Yoku in the park. Just follow this short guide...
1. Leave all distractions behind.
2. Leave any goals or expectations behind.
3. Pause occasionally and notice nature’s beauty.
4. Find a comfortable spot to take a seat and listen to the sounds around you.
5. If you go with others, make an agreement to resist talking until the end of the walk, when you could gather to share your experiences.
Living in our modern, artificial world is obviously very stressful and against our natural human evolutionary process. Taking a Forest Bath is a wonderful way to get back in touch with the natural world and begin healing your body on every level.