Forest bathing isn’t just a poetic way to connect with nature; decades of research show it’s also good for your physiological health. Sharma notes it can strengthen the immune system, lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol and adrenaline, ease symptoms of depression, and increase human natural killer (NK) activitythe number of NK cells, and the intracellular levels of anti-cancer proteins. “It sparks creativity, leaves you feeling refreshed, and in some cases, even helps with insomnia,” she adds.
Tree hugging and talking to trees are central elements of Sharma’s walks. “People may find it silly at first, but once they find a tree they connect with, they really open up,” she says.
Seeking Mindfulness in Cityscapes
In Mumbaiurban spaces like Kamala Nehru Park, Amarsons Garden, and Cooperage Bandstand Garden offer ample opportunities for such experiences. Seasons often shape the nature of each walk.
Reshma Ashar, a psychologist and founder of magicthought.innotes that nature-based wellness walks began informally in India around 2012, though not under the label of shinrin-yoku or forest bathing. “It was only around 2016 that the term began to gain recognition and was practised more formally by individuals passionate about nature healing,” she explains.
Ashar always scouts the area before hosting a walk, noting which flowers are in bloomwhich trees are thriving, and what birds are around. She also considers group size, age, location, and weather when planning. While she encourages participants to engage with nature individually, she brings them together at the end to share reflections. “It’s often a deeply introspective experience,” she adds.
Fire Bathing in Australian Wilderness
Back in Tasmania, Rocca leads me to Clearwater Cabinan off-grid Airbnb she runs with a friend. A neatly trimmed lawn spills into open grassland that slopes down to a gurgling creek. Right in the middle stands a rustic fire-heated bath, smoke curling into the air.
“I usually save this last bit as a surprise,” she says with a smile.
Pooja naik
Eager, I change into my swimsuit in the unoccupied shed and sink into the steaming tub. The scent of woodsmoke curls into my hair. Once I’m warm through, I surprise myself by plunging into the icy creek—a shock to the system, like a post-sauna jolt. I dash back to the bath, sinking in deeper this time, a wave of tranquillity washing over me.
Before I know it, I’m no longer just in the landscape—I’m part of it: the birdsong, the dewy grass, the flickering Sunrays. For a moment, I dissolve into nature itself.
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