South Shore TrailsThe Benefits of Forest Bathing
Forest bathing is a wonderful practice that costs absolutely nothing but your own time and attention. Isn’t that incredible? The benefits are potentially immense. To give you a head start on what this practice is — and how to try it — we’ve condensed a very informative Time Magazine article below.
When you are ready to give it a shot, check out the trail list for a new, quiet spot to explore. There are 300+ trails listed for the South Shore.
What Is Forest Bathing
In Japan, this practice is called shinrin-yoku. Shinrin means “forest,” and yoku means “bath” — so shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere, taking it in through our senses.
This isn’t exercise, hiking, or jogging. It’s simply being in nature, connecting with it through sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. Shinrin-yoku is like a bridge — by opening our senses, it bridges the gap between us and the natural world.
According to a study sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American spends 93% of their time indoors. But even a small amount of time in nature can have an impact on health. A two-hour forest bath helps you unplug from technology, slow down, and bring you into the present moment. Numerous studies have shown that shinrin-yoku has real, measurable health benefits.
You can forest-bathe anywhere in the world — wherever there are trees, in hot weather or cold, in rain, sunshine, or snow. You don’t even need a forest.
How to Practice Forest Bathing
First, find a spot.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution — it’s different for everyone. Find a place that suits you. If you love the smell of damp soil, look for a landscape that provides it — the effects will be more powerful. Maybe you have a place that reminds you of your childhood or of happy memories. Places like that carry a stronger connection.
Unplug.
It’s easy to say “leave your phone behind,” but that’s not always realistic or safe. Instead, keep your phone charged and safely in your pocket. It can actually help you unplug indirectly — if sitting still feels hard at first, set a timer for 3–5 minutes and just take in your surroundings. It’s all about baby steps.
Get in touch with your senses.
Let nature in through your ears, eyes, nose, mouth, hands, and feet. Listen to birds and the breeze in the leaves. Look at the different greens of the trees and the light filtering through branches. Breathe in the forest’s natural aromatherapy. Place your hands on a tree trunk. Dip your fingers or toes in a stream. Lie on the ground. This is your sixth sense — a state of mind. Once you’ve connected with nature this way, you’ve crossed the bridge to a calmer state.
Adapted from Time Magazine and Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness by Dr. Qing Li (Viking, 2018).
South Shore Trails covers hiking and paddling destinations across 20+ towns on Massachusetts’ South Shore. Browse our full trail directory to find your next quiet spot.