In a world full of pings, deadlines, and screens, it’s easy to feel disconnected - from ourselves, from nature, and from our sense of calm. If you're feeling frazzled, fatigued, or just a bit “off,” your body might be craving something simple and profound: nature.
Enter forest bathing, a practice rooted in Japanese culture that offers a scientifically backed way to support your mood, reduce stress, and restore energy - no prescription required.
What Is Forest Bathing, Anyway?
Despite its name, forest bathing (known as Shinrin-yoku in Japan) has nothing to do with water or bubble baths. Instead, it’s the intentional act of immersing yourself in a forest or natural environment, engaging your senses and slowing down to connect with the world around you.
The term was coined in Japan in the 1980s as a response to rising stress levels, chronic disease, and burnout in an increasingly urbanized and digital society. The Japanese government even incorporated it into their public health programs to help people reconnect with the healing rhythms of nature. And guess what? The science supports it.
Why Nature Is More Than Just "Nice"
You’ve probably felt the soothing effect of being in nature, but it turns out this isn’t just in your head. Research shows that forest bathing offers measurable benefits to your nervous system, hormones, and immune function.
A landmark study by Dr. Qing Li found that spending time in the forest significantly reduces cortisol (your stress hormone), lowers blood pressure, and increases parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) nervous system activity (1). Another fascinating benefit? Trees emit phytoncides, natural compounds that boost natural killer (NK) cell activity, helping your immune system function more effectively.
In simpler terms: time in the forest doesn’t just feel good - it helps your body function better.
How Forest Bathing Supports Mood and Energy
You don’t need hours to see benefits - just 20–30 minutes in nature can:
- Reduce anxiety and symptoms of depression
- Improve focus and mental clarity
- Enhance feelings of vitality and energy
- Reduce fatigue and brain fog
- Boost mood by increasing serotonin and dopamine levels
In fact, one 2019 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that a short nature break was enough to significantly lower cortisol and enhance feelings of relaxation—no intense hiking required (2).
What It Looks Like (Hint: It’s Not Hiking)
Forest bathing isn’t about cardio or counting steps. It’s about slowing down, engaging your senses, and noticing the details: the rustle of leaves, the texture of bark, the smell of moss or pine.
Here’s how to try it:
- Find a wooded area, park, or trail where you can safely walk or sit undisturbed.
- Leave your phone behind or put it on airplane mode.
- Walk slowly or find a spot to sit. Breathe deeply.
- Tune in to your senses: what do you see, hear, smell, and feel?
- Stay at least 20 minutes. If you can, aim for an hour.
You don’t need a mountain forest to benefit - urban parks, tree-lined paths, or even a backyard garden can offer similar effects if you approach the time with presence and intention.
Why Functional Medicine Loves Forest Bathing
In functional medicine, we understand that lifestyle is medicine. From gut health to hormone balance to stress resilience, everything is connected, and nature plays a key role in that system.
Forest bathing isn’t just a feel-good activity. It’s a powerful, low-cost intervention that supports:
- Stress management
- Hormone balance
- Immune support
- Mental health
- Nervous system regulation
When paired with a personalized health plan, forest bathing can help accelerate healing and improve long-term outcomes.
Ready to Reset Naturally?
If you're feeling overwhelmed, low on energy, or simply out of sync, nature might be the missing piece of your wellness puzzle. At Functional Reset NP, we specialize in helping you reconnect with your body through evidence-based lifestyle support.
Let’s personalize your wellness plan and help you get back to feeling like you again.
Book your FREE 15-minute consultation today and start your journey to natural healing.
References
- Li, Q. (2010). Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 9–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-008-0068-3
- Hunter, M. R., Gillespie, B. W., & Chen, S. Y. P. (2019). Urban nature experiences reduce stress in the context of daily life based on salivary biomarkers. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 722. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00722
