Forest Bathing in the Rockies: What Japan Taught Us About Wellness
Have you ever stepped into a forest and felt your shoulders relax? The quiet. The scent of pine. The soft earth underfoot. It turns out, that feeling has a name — and a growing body of science behind it.
It’s called Shinrin Yoku, or forest bathing — a Japanese practice of mindfully immersing yourself in a natural setting. And though it began half a world away, its roots are taking hold right here in the Canadian Rockies, and in the work we do at the Star 6 Ranch Foundation.
What Is Forest Bathing?
Shinrin Yoku (森林浴) translates to “taking in the forest atmosphere.” It’s not about hiking or exercising. It’s about slowing down and being in nature.
The practice was developed by Japan’s Ministry of Forestry in the 1980s as a public health response to rising urban stress and burnout. Participants are guided to notice the rustle of leaves, the light through the trees, the texture of bark — the subtle rhythm of the living forest.
Studies have shown that even just a couple hours in a forest environment can:
Reduce cortisol (a key stress hormone)
Lower blood pressure and heart rate
Improve mood, focus, and immune function
“When we spend time in nature, it can help reduce your cortisol levels. It can help balance your blood pressure, bring your heart rate down. It can reset your nervous system.”
— Ronna Schneberger, Founder of Forest Fix (Fikowski, 2024)
What the Research Shows
A growing number of studies affirm the power of Shinrin Yoku:
Decreased stress: Participants report significantly lower cortisol levels and greater calm after forest walks.
Improved mental health: Forest therapy is associated with lower rates of anxiety, depression, and rumination (Ideno et al., 2017; Kotera et al., 2022).
Enhanced immunity: Time in the forest has even been linked to increased activity of natural killer cells—the immune system’s first responders (Li, 2010).
In one Japanese study, people who spent three days in the forest saw stronger immune function than those walking in urban environments. Nature, quite literally, changes us.
Forest Bathing in Canada
Shinrin Yoku is now practiced around the world — including right here in Alberta, where forest therapy walks are helping people reconnect with their breath, their senses, and their surroundings.
While many Canadians hike or camp, Shinrin Yoku invites us to shift from doing to being. It’s not about distance covered, but presence cultivated.
At the Star 6 Ranch Foundation, our programs naturally echo this rhythm. Whether it’s a quiet morning with the horses, a slow walk in the trees, or a moment of stillness at the edge of a trail — the land is always inviting us into deeper awareness.
The Land Slows Us Down
In a world that often asks us to go faster, louder, and harder, forest bathing teaches something different. To listen. To pause. To allow the nervous system to come home to itself.
We witness this all the time:
Youth who arrive restless, and leave grounded
Adults who carry grief, finding space to breathe again
Families who reconnect through the simple act of walking together in the woods
Nature doesn’t rush. And neither do we.
Try It Yourself
You don’t need special gear or a guided tour to try forest bathing. Here’s a simple practice you can try this weekend:
Find a quiet forest path or grove of trees
Turn off your phone
Walk slowly — slower than usual
Notice what you see, hear, and feel
Pause often. Sit. Breathe.
Let the forest do the rest
Land as Co-Facilitator
At the Star 6 Ranch Foundation, we often say: the land is a partner in the healing process. Forest bathing is just one lens through which we understand that relationship. It reminds us that we don’t always need to “fix” or “solve” — sometimes, we just need to arrive. To notice. To let the wind and trees do their work.
If you're curious about our nature-based programs that integrate mindfulness, movement, and connection — come take a walk with us.
References
Fikowski, T. (2024, June 3). Forest bathing: What it is and why some Alberta doctors recommend it. CTV News. https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/forest-bathing-what-it-is-and-why-some-alberta-doctors-recommend-it/
Ideno, Y., Hayashi, K., Abe, Y., Ueda, K., Iso, H., Noda, M., & Suzuki, S. (2017). Blood pressure-lowering effect of Shinrin-yoku (Forest bathing): A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 17, 409. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-1912-z
Kotera, Y., Richardson, M., & Sheffield, D. (2022). Effects of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) and nature therapy on mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 20(1), 337–361.
Li, Q. (2010). Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 9–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-008-0068-3
Park, B. J., Tsunetsugu, Y., Kasetani, T., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2010). The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): Evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 18–26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-009-0086-9