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Dive into the woods: a guide to forest bathing

Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Devichoys Woods Nature Reserve in Autumn. Image by Ben Watkins

The Japanese practice of 'Shinrin Yoku' or 'forest bathing' has been shown to bring you calm, boosting physical and mental health. Cornwall Wildlife Trust offers a guide to get you started.

What is Shinrin Yoku?

Shinrin Yoku is a term for 'forest bathing': walking slowly through woods, without hurry, and soaking up the atmosphere. We live in a frantic world and often find that we get disconnected from nature. 'Shinrin' means 'forest'; 'Yoku' means 'bath'.

The constant bombardment from our phones, stressful jobs, and negative news can have a big impact on our physical and mental health. But research which originated in Japan suggests that a mindful walk in the woods has been shown to make a huge difference.  

Autumn leaves at Devichoys Wood. Image by Ben Watkins

Autumn leaves at Devichoys Wood. Image by Ben Watkins

Take the plunge!

Your guide to forest bathing

1. Find a time when you can visit some woods. Turn off your phone so you won't be distracted. 

2. Walk slowly through the trees. Take the time to notice what's going on around you. 

3. Find a place to pause where you can sit or stand to just 'be'. 

4. When distracting thoughts come, allow them to pass. You can deal with them later. Just focus on nature for now. 

5. Use your all of your senses. What can you see? What can you hear?

Based on science

Shinrin Yoku originates from Japan in the 1980s when the government was concerned about burnout from stress. From the 1990s researchers started conducting experiments on the physiological effects of Shinrin Yoku, finding that time spent in forests reduces stress and blood pressure, whilst boosting immunity, improving mood, and increasing sleep. 

Professor Qing Li writes: "Over the last 17 years, I have discovered that exposure to nature is as vital to our well-being as regular exercise and a healthy diet."

Where can I go to forest bathe in Cornwall?

There are many places in Cornwall you can soak up the atmosphere of woodland. Here are a few Cornwall Wildlife Trust nature reserves we'd recommend visiting...

Turning leaves in Devichoys Wood. Image by Ben Watkins
Perranarworthal

Devichoys Woods

The multi-stemmed gnarled and twisted stems of sessile oak are a feature here.
River Fowey from Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Cabilla & Redrice Wood nature reserve. Image by Ben Watkins
Bodmin

Cabilla and Redrice Woods

An extremely peaceful location, Cabilla and Redrice Woods is one of the finest ancient woodlands in Cornwall.
Pendarves Woods full panoramic by Ben Watkins
Camborne

Pendarves Woods

A broadleaved woodland with streams and a lake.

Talk to the trees?

In our interview with him on The Wild Cornwall Podcast, forest bathing practitioner, Paul Simmons, encourages people to have a conversation with trees. This might feel strange to some people, but there's no doubt that we can get a lot from noticing the trees around us and engaging with them more deeply. 

Why not find out about some of the different native species in more depth?

Restoring and protecting woodlands

Covering less than 10% of our land, the amount of woodland in Cornwall is well below the national average. To achieve the UK's net-zero ambition it is estimated that woodland cover needs to increase from 13% to at least 17% by 2050. 

Long ago, woodlands would have covered large areas of southwest England, hosting amazing biodiversity. Cornwall Wildlife Trust is working to restore and protect these special places. 

Temperate Rainforest sunset. Image by Ben Porter

Image by Ben Porter

Temperate Rainforest Appeal

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Explore further...

Dive deeper into forest bathing by tuning into The Wild Cornwall Podcast. We interviewed Paul Simmons from Forest Bathing Cornwall at Devichoys Woods nature reserve. You can listen on Podbean, Spotify or Apple. 

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