What is Forest Therapy?

Forest Therapy, also known as Shinrin-yoku (Japanese for 'forest bathing'), is a gentle, evidence-based practice of spending mindful time in nature for health and wellbeing.

It's Not What You Think

Forest Therapy isn't hiking, exercising, or learning about nature. You don't need to identify trees, cover distance, or achieve anything. It's much simpler – and more profound – than that.

It's about slowing down, opening your senses, and simply being present with the natural world.

How It Works

In a Forest Therapy session, a trained guide leads you through a series of gentle invitations designed to help you notice what's around you and within you. We move very slowly through a woodland or natural space, pausing frequently to engage our senses.

You might be invited to:

Notice what colours you're drawn to
Listen to the sounds of the forest
Feel different textures
Follow your curiosity
Simply sit and be still

There's no right or wrong way to respond to an invitation. You're always in control of your own experience.

The Science

Forest Therapy isn't just pleasant – it's powerful. Decades of research, particularly from Japan and South Korea, show that time in nature can:

Reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels
Lower blood pressure and heart rate
Boost immune system function
Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
Improve mood and mental clarity
Enhance sleep quality
Increase feelings of vitality and wellbeing

The forest literally changes our physiology. Trees release compounds called phytoncides that, when we breathe them in, boost our immune systems. The sights, sounds, and smells of nature help regulate our nervous systems, bringing us out of fight-or-flight and into rest-and-digest.

Why We Need It

Modern life keeps us indoors, on screens, moving fast, and constantly doing. Our nervous systems are overstimulated, our attention is fragmented, and we've become disconnected from the natural world that we're part of.

Forest Therapy offers an antidote. It gives us permission to slow down, to do nothing, to simply be. In a culture that values productivity above all else, this is radical – and necessary.

Who It's For

Forest Therapy is for everyone. You don't need to be fit, outdoorsy, or knowledgeable about nature. You just need to be willing to slow down and be present.

It's particularly beneficial for people experiencing:

Stress, anxiety, or burnout
Trauma or C-PTSD
Life transitions (menopause, grief, major changes)
Neurodivergence (many find nature deeply regulating)
Disconnection from themselves or their bodies
A need for peace, space, and gentle support

The Difference a Guide Makes

While spending time in nature on your own is wonderful, a guided Forest Therapy session offers something different. A trained guide:

Creates a safe, held space for your experience
Offers invitations you might not think of yourself
Helps you slow down more than you would alone
Holds the structure so you can fully let go
Brings trauma-informed awareness and support
Facilitates connection (in group sessions) without pressure

What to Expect

A typical Forest Therapy session lasts 2-3 hours but covers very little distance – sometimes less than a mile. We move slowly, pause often, and finish with a tea ceremony where we share (if we wish) what we noticed.

You'll leave feeling calmer, more grounded, and more connected – to nature, to yourself, and to what matters.

Ready to Experience It?

Forest Therapy is best understood through experience rather than explanation. If you're curious, I invite you to join me for a session and discover what the forest has to offer you.

Still Wilder sessions are led by Rachael Cartmell, a certified Forest Therapy guide working across Lancashire and Cumbria.