Forest bathing gains traction as a mental health trend

Forest bathing, a mindful nature practice from Japan, is gaining popularity for its potential to reduce stress and improve focus.

Forest bathing boosts focus and lowers stress

Forest bathing, also known as shinrin-yoku, invites people to slow down and engage the senses in a natural setting. Research links time spent in nature with lower stress and better attention. The practice has grown on social media, with tens of thousands of videos on TikTok under the tag forestbathing and many users reporting mental health benefits.

Guided walks are common and can last around an hour and a half. They emphasize listening, observation, and quiet reflection. In North Carolina, a certified forest therapy trail at Pinnacle Park was established to guide participants through sensory cues. Some people cry or feel a strong emotional shift during the walks, highlighting how forest bathing can contrast with crowded daily life and even aid grief processing.

The rise of forest bathing mirrors a broader wellness trend that spreads through online communities. While many find calm in nature, the evidence for broad mental health benefits remains uneven and dependent on individual circumstances. Clinicians and researchers warn that forest time should supplement, not replace, medical care. Access can also be uneven, with guided sessions sometimes costing money and requiring travel.

Highlights

Nature offers a quiet reset for those willing to walk toward it