Yes, A Walk in the Park Is Forest Bathing 🌳
Why a City Park Can Be as Healing as a Mountain Forest
Have you ever noticed how, after just 15 minutes in a park, your whole body sighs with relief? How the tension melts away, your thoughts settle, and your breathing deepens? This is no coincidence — it’s nature doing what it does best: restoring and nourishing us.
What Is Forest Bathing?
Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku (森林浴), is a Japanese practice that literally means “bathing in the forest atmosphere.” Despite its poetic name, it’s not about physical bathing, but about deeply immersing yourself in nature through all your senses.
The practice originated in Japan in the 1980s as a response to the technology boom and rising stress levels in society. The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries officially introduced the concept as a form of preventive healthcare. Since then, forest bathing has become the subject of hundreds of scientific studies, confirming something ancient cultures have known for centuries: nature heals.
In recent years, the practice has gained popularity worldwide. Certified forest bathing guides lead groups through the forests of North America, Europe, and Asia, while researchers continue to uncover more benefits — from reduced cortisol levels and improved immune function to increased creativity and a deeper sense of connection.
My Discovery: When the Park Became a Forest
I was walking through the park on a rainy autumn day. The rain would stop, then start drizzling again. The park was unrecognisable — almost empty — and I felt a deeper sense of solitude with nature.
The fallen leaves in their autumn colours created a magnificient atmosphere. I explored new paths, followed my instincts, and observed the rhythm of nature. I noticed the shapes of the trees, the colour of the grass, and it felt as though the entire natural design was soothing, healing, and recharging me with its beauty. And that’s when I asked myself: can a walk in the park be a true forest bathing practice? Do we really need to venture deep into a forest or up a mountain to experience this connection?
The Science Is Clear: Parks Heal Too
It turns out that escaping to a park has just as much therapeutic effect as escaping to a forest. Research shows that even brief contact with nature in an urban setting significantly reduces stress levels, improves mood, and enhances concentration.
The trees in a park release the same phytoncides — natural substances with antibacterial properties — as those in a forest, boosting our immune system. The green colour of grass and leaves has a proven calming effect on the nervous system. Even the sound of wind through the canopy or leaves rustling beneath our feet activates the parasympathetic nervous system — the one that tells our body: “You’re safe here. You can relax.”
How to Practice Forest Bathing in a Park
Here are steps to transform your next park visit into a truly therapeutic experience:
Put away your phone and other devices. This will help you relax more easily and fully enjoy the experience in nature.
Don’t rush. Move slowly so you can notice, hear, see, and feel more of your surroundings.
Breathe deeply and mindfully.
Use all your senses. Observe the small details in nature carefully. You might be surprised how many woodland creatures you’ll notice this way.
Stay as long as you can. Start with a comfortable amount of time and gradually extend it for a fuller forest bathing experience.
City Parks — Green Oases in Our Daily Lives
Even when we’re rushing through errands, we instinctively choose to pass through the park — as if our body knows it needs this brief therapy. A few minutes in nature and we already feel different — as though we’ve been transported into a woodland fairytale for a moment, before continuing with our day, recharged.
