T he Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries coined the term shinrin-yoku or forest-bathing in 1982 . Bathing in the forest, however, has nothing to do with water. The idea is to immerse yourself in a natural environment and soak up the many health benefits of being in the green woods. Forest bathing has been widely researched. One Japanese study that appeared in the Internationa
What Is Forest Bathing? (Plain Language Explanation)
Forest Bathing refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Forest Bathing
- Symptoms: The specific ways forest bathing shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen forest bathing
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When forest bathing occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Forest Bathing
- Forest Bathing is far more common than most people realize
- Forest Bathing is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with forest bathing see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about forest bathing is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing forest bathing, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.