I never realised that what I’ve been practising on my walks over the last three years was actually forest bathing. Reading Into the Forest: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness by Dr Qing Li felt like working in reverse—it made me see that my intuitive way of spending time in nature was an actual practice with real science behind it.
Forest bathing officially took shape in 1980s Japan, when the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture saw that people living in increasingly urbanised environments were under unprecedented stress. In 1982, they introduced Shinrin-yoku as a national public health initiative to encourage people to slow down, walk mindfully through forests, and reconnect with nature.
Dr Li and his team went on to build a scientific foundation for this idea. Their studies measured the effects of forest immersion on things like immune system function, stress hormones and mood. In one of his landmark studies, participants spent three days and two nights in a Japanese forest, and blood tests showed a significant increase in immune activity — especially in Natural Killer (NK) cells, which are vital for fighting infection. He identified volatile compounds called phytoncides (such as alpha-pinene and limonene) released by trees, and found that breathing these in can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and promote feelings of calm.
What really struck me was Dr Li’s poetic, almost magical way of talking about forest life. He draws parallels between real woodland creatures and the spirits of the forest from the film Princess Mononoke — suggesting that just like in that film, there is wisdom and healing in the forest that feels alive, whispering to us through rustling leaves, bird song and the scent of wooden bark. Though he doesn’t claim literal forest spirits, Li describes how reconnecting with nature’s own rhythms and “creatures” (the trees, moss, insects) helps us cultivate a deeper, healing presence in the world. Scientifically, the benefits are profound and measurable. His research shows that even a few hours in the forest can shift our nervous system: lowering cortisol, reducing blood pressure, and creating a physiological “rest and digest” state. Over time, regular forest time helps us build resilience — both physically, through immune support, and mentally, through mindfulness and reduced anxiety.
Learning about the science and tradition behind forest bathing made me reflect on my own quiet walks: I now see that what felt like simply being present in nature was actually a practice embraced and studied in Japan for decades. I found joy, peace, and healing in slowing down, noticing small details, and observing seasonal changes, turning each walk into a mindful, restorative experience.
In today’s UK, 2025, many of us live with tight work schedules, financial pressures, and mounting responsibilities. Stress levels are high, and the constant demands of work, bills, and everyday life can take a serious toll on our mental and physical wellbeing. Through Twisted Roots Forest Therapy, I aim to share the restorative power of nature to help people slow down, reconnect, and recharge. The forest becomes a gentle teacher, supporting mindfulness, lowering stress, boosting immunity, and providing a space to step away from life’s pressures and find balance.