Shinrin-Yoku: The Japanese Art of Forest Bathing

In a fast-moving world filled with screens and schedules, the simple act of walking slowly through a forest can feel revolutionary. In Japan, this practice is known as Shinrin-Yoku, or "forest bathing."

More than just a walk in the woods, Shinrin-Yoku is a mindful experience—an invitation to connect with nature through all five senses. It’s not about distance or fitness, but about slowing down, noticing, and receiving.

A Practice Rooted in Japanese Culture

 Shinrin-Yoku was officially coined in Japan in the 1980s, but its roots run deep in Japanese traditions. The Japanese have long found spiritual and emotional comfort in nature, with forests considered sacred in both Shinto and Buddhist philosophies.

Government and medical research in Japan have since shown that spending time in the forest can reduce cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, improve sleep, and boost immunity. It’s no surprise that Shinrin-Yoku has now inspired wellness movements around the world.

How It Works: The Science of Slowness

When we step into a forest and begin to breathe in its air—filled with the natural oils from trees called phytoncides—our body begins to shift. The parasympathetic nervous system activates, heart rate slows, and our minds start to quiet.

This isn’t about hiking to a summit. It’s about wandering. Sitting. Touching tree bark. Listening to the breeze. Feeling sunlight flicker through the leaves. In Shinrin-Yoku, presence is the purpose.

How to Practice Forest Bathing, Wherever You Are

 Even if you don’t live near a Japanese forest, the essence of Shinrin-Yoku can be found anywhere green grows:

• Leave your phone behind or on airplane mode

• Walk slowly and without a goal

• Use your senses intentionally: smell, touch, sound, sight

• Sit, pause, and breathe

• Notice the small things: leaves, light, breeze, stillness

Even a short time in a nearby park can restore calm and clarity.

WALALA and the Spirit of Forest Bathing

WALALA values care that reconnects us with ourselves.

Forest bathing teaches us that healing begins through scent and sensation.

This isn't limited to time spent in the woods— it also lives in the feel of your hand applying cream, or in the quiet moment when you're wrapped in a gentle scent.

Skincare is one way to connect with nature. Care begins when we pause, gently, and return to the present.

#JapaneseWellness #WALALATime #ShinrinYoku