Intro to Forest Bathing & Where to Practice the Art in the U.S.
Being in the company of trees brings about an elusive yet profound sense of happiness and tranquility. Just like children and dogs, sentient beings also display tangible joy when surrounded by nature. The various shades of green in the sky catch our attention, distant bird songs fill our ears, and the rhythmic crunch of dirt and rocks under our boots reminds us of our presence in the natural world. Even the slightest breeze can make the hairs on our arms tingle, as if they, too, want to join in the dance of the wind.
Our bodies are smart: They know we aren’t supposed to spend long hours hunched over bright computer screens in dreary, windowless cubicles with artificial lighting. It dampens our spirits. We understand the importance of having access to green spaces outdoors, where we can witness the clouds dancing in the radiant sky, as it plays a crucial role in promoting our overall wellbeing and health.
Despite this, studies show that, on average, Americans spend 89 percent of their time indoors and an additional 5 percent in vehicles, leaving a mere 6 percent of our precious lives to savor the outdoors. However, the encouraging aspect is that you have the power to alter this statistic in your own life. By choosing to venture outside and embrace nature, you can attain a clear mind and a stress-free equilibrium.
In Japan, there are stunning parks and flower-filled gardens, even in Tokyo, a bustling metropolis with a population of nearly 14 million people. Locals often take the time to visit nearby green spaces during lunch breaks, before heading home, or on weekends with their families. This beautiful concept is called “Shinrin-Yoku,” which involves the art and practice of forest bathing. This mindful activity focuses on engaging the senses and immersing oneself in nature’s healing embrace. If you desire a moment of serenity and wish to slow down your racing thoughts, you can even participate in forest therapy guided by a skilled forest therapist in Japan.
Below, we offer some tips on how to incorporate the art of forest bathing into your own life—such as during your trip to Yosemite. Additionally, we’ll share some road-trip-worthy destinations where you can fully indulge in this enriching experience.
Once you’ve found your starting point—see below for inspiration—let go of needing to get from point A to B or to a specific place. The journey is the whole point. Wander slowly, aimlessly, taking in your 360-degree environment.
Photo by Wendy Altschuler.
Start to notice everything in your path. Touch the rough bark on the trees, consider taking your shoes off and letting your feet feel the cool grass, and smell the roses (figuratively and literally). Connect with nature in the way that small children do instinctively—littles are all about rolling around on the greensward, picking up a dirt-covered worm, finding a good stick in the muck and inhaling the fresh air.
You’ll want to be device-free in order to experience the full benefits of forest bathing. Our lives are distracting enough and if you have your phone with you, you’ll be tempted to check your e-mail or respond to a text. Unplug.
Photo by Wendy Altschuler.
Check out Dr. Qing Li’s book Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness. Li’s book has loads of tips on not only how to practice forest bathing outside, but also how to bring nature indoors (plants, woodsy-smelling aromatherapy diffusers, open windows, etc.).
We could list copious amounts of stunning places in the U.S. where you can crack open all of your senses and let the light in—America’s best idea, the National Parks, are exquisite highlights of course. Yosemite is basically all forest, where you can take a trail into the woods.
Forest preserves and state lands are also plentiful and perfect for experiencing nature’s bounty—from sea to shining sea. You’ll also benefit by simply spending time in your own backyard, where there are trees, plants and flowers to see.
For some unique inspiration, however, should you want to do as John Muir did and go into the forest “to lose my mind and find my soul,” here are a few off-the-beaten path ideas that will most certainly tip the needle in the happiness direction on your forest bathing journey.
Yosemite National Park is a renowned natural wonder located in California. There, the practice of forest bathing can be particularly rewarding due to the park’s abundant and diverse natural beauty. The serene landscapes, ancient sequoia groves, tranquil meadows, and fresh mountain air offer an ideal environment for embracing the concept of forest bathing and experiencing its rejuvenating effects on both the body and mind. Many visitors to Yosemite find that participating in mindful activities like forest bathing enhances their appreciation of the park’s natural wonders and leaves them feeling refreshed and connected to the natural world.
With your basecamp at Outdoorsy Yosemite, here are 5 trails where you might try forest bathing. Find a safe and secluded spot to sit close to the trail, close your eyes, and breathe.
1. Cook’s Meadow Loop is a flat loop trail that provides beautiful views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome. It’s a great option for a leisurely stroll through a meadow with stunning backdrops.
2. Mirror Lake Trail is a seasonal lake that reflects the surrounding cliffs and mountains, creating a mirror-like surface. The hike to Mirror Lake is relatively flat and can be done as a short out-and-back walk or as a loop.
3. Sentinel Dome Trail takes you to the top of Sentinel Dome, which offers panoramic views of Yosemite Valley and surrounding peaks. The trail is relatively easy, though it involves some uphill sections.
4. Taft Point Trail is short and easy, leading to stunning views of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, and the Yosemite Falls. It’s especially beautiful at sunset.
5. Valley Loop Trail is a flat, easy trail that takes you on a scenic loop through Yosemite Valley. It offers various viewpoints of the iconic landmarks in the valley.
Photo by Wendy Altschuler.
In the midst of our busy lives, finding time to escape from our daily to-do lists and immerse ourselves in nature becomes essential. That’s where REI Adventures comes in—a thoughtful travel company that excels in providing immersive experiences amidst natural beauty.
With REI Adventures, you can embark on trips to breathtaking destinations worldwide, from the exotic landscapes of Sri Lanka and Costa Rica to numerous stunning locations across the United States. Dive into unforgettable experiences like a hut-to-hut hiking journey along the Appalachian Trail, where you’ll feel the dirt under your nails and commune with trees. Join a Yellowstone Family Adventure and witness where the buffalo roam. Feel the softness of moss beneath your toes on an Olympic National Park Family Adventure, or spend five enchanting days in the embrace of Yosemite valley.
Whether you decide to travel with friends, family, or go on a solo adventure, REI Adventures promises to introduce you to some of the most beautiful places our country—and the world—has to offer.
Photo by Wendy Altschuler.
Imagine a serene place that bans motor vehicles and utilizes horses as the only modes of transportation. Enter: Mackinac Island and Mission Point, one of the best places to watch the sun rise. Mackinac Island, which sits on Lake Huron, between the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan, is mostly protected as a tree-filled state park. Hike and bike on over 70 miles of car-free trails, see arched limestone rock formations and unwind at Mission Point’s lakefront Great Lawn. After wandering on a trail or two, kayak with Great Turtle Kayak Tours, re-center your mind with an on-the-water yoga experience and visit the Lakeside Salon & Spa for a calming lilac facial and body treatment.
Perhaps a road trip north to the Canadian Rockies will hit the spot. Board the award-winning Rocky Mountaineer in Vancouver and see mountains like you’ve never seen them before within the glass-domed train. Look for grizzly and black bears from the alfresco vestibule and witness how the natural tree-thick rugged landscape changes as you travel from Vancouver to Kamloops to Lake Louise to Banff on the First Passage to the West.
You’ll see capacious ranch lands, lovely lake shores, deep canyons and glaciers as you glide through tunnels and mountain passes on one of the most picturesque train rides in the world. And, just as forest bathing teaches us to be in the moment and enjoy nature’s beauty as it surrounds us, once you step on the train, you will be enveloped in the thick of it on all sides.
A big part of being in the natural world is encountering animals. Whether you join The Resort at Paws Up’s Cowgirl Spring Roundup in April, the Fish and Feast at the end of August, or the Cowboy Experience in October, you’ll spend time among the evergreen trees and walk along the pine cone-covered nature paths. Breathe in the fresh Montana air while horseback riding, sitting around the campfire, or simply by relaxing in a rocking chair outside on the deck. See bison, visit the petting zoo, and watch the cattle in the pasture.
Go on a digital detox, pay attention to all five of your senses, and be inspired by the weathered landscape.
Photo by Wendy Altschuler.