FOREST BATHING

In the concrete jungles of industrialised societies, nature’s inherent wisdom can often feel far away. So how can we reconnect with all that nature has to offer – and to teach us? As the promise of lighter, brighter days illuminates the horizon, the tradition of "forest bathing" (known as "Waldbaden" in German and "Shinrin-yoku" in Japanese) beckons to offer proven rejuvenation for mind, body and spirit.

The premise is simple: transforming a walk in the woods into a full sensory immersion through the contemplative practice of slowing down, breathing deeper, and paying attention with all senses: watching soft light filter through the trees, listening to the pleasing crunch of sticks and leaves underfoot, and taking in the subtle scents of the damp moss, heady earth and spicy pine.

Forest bathing’s therapeutic and physiological benefits have long been backed by science, but the practice just as good for the soul – a shortcut to calm, clarity, and rejuvenation. Best of all, it’s free, and available all year around, enabling the transitions between seasons to reward curiosity with ever-evolving answers.



Can’t make it to the woods right now? An abundance of birdsong-studded ASMR tracks on YouTube bring the forest’s soothing ambience to you, and Peter Wohlleben’s noted book "The Hidden Life of Trees" shares the wonder-inducing secrets of arboreal communication.