April is a bit of a heavyweight champion in the wellness calendar. Not only are we celebrating Earth Month, but we are also observing Stress Awareness Month. At first glance, you might think, “One is about the planet, and the other is about my frazzled brain, what’s the link?”
Well, here at The Forest Bathing Institute, we believe those two things are flip sides of the same coin. We aren’t separate from nature; we are nature. When the planet is struggling, we feel it. When we are stressed out, we lose our connection to the world around us.
This month, we’re inviting you to hit the pause button. Let’s look at how the practice of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) can help you lower your cortisol levels while deepening your respect for the Earth. Grab a cuppa, get comfy, and let’s dive into the green.
Why April Matters: The Stress-Earth Connection
Let’s be real: modern life can be a bit of a pressure cooker. Between endless notifications, the 24-hour news cycle, and the general “hustle” culture, our nervous systems are often stuck in “fight or flight” mode. That’s why Stress Awareness Month is so vital. It’s a collective deep breath: a reminder that we aren’t designed to run at 100mph indefinitely.
At the same time, Earth Month reminds us of our home. It’s a time to reflect on sustainability and conservation. But here’s the secret sauce: the best way to encourage people to save the planet is to help them fall in love with it again.
When we practice forest bathing, we aren’t just taking from the forest (though the health benefits are massive); we are building a relationship with it. It’s hard to ignore the importance of old-growth forests when you’ve just spent two hours sitting among them, feeling your heart rate drop and your mind clear
The Science of Forest Bathing+ (FB+)
You might have heard the term “Shinrin-yoku” before. It literally translates to “taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing.” It started in Japan in the 1980s as a response to a massive tech-boom burnout. Sound familiar?
But we don’t just “go for a walk.” At the Institute, we focus on Forest Bathing+ (FB+). This is the refined, science-backed approach that we’ve been researching right here in the UK.
Goodbye, Cortisol
When you step into a forest, your body starts to react almost immediately. Trees emit organic compounds called phytoncides (essentially their “essential oils” that protect them from pests). When we breathe these in, they trigger a boost in our Natural Killer (NK) cells: the ones that help our immune system fight off nasties.
But the real magic for Stress Awareness Month lies in our hormones. Our research shows that forest bathing significantly reduces levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone. High cortisol is linked to everything from sleep issues to weight gain and anxiety. By simply being: not doing, not jogging, not checking your watch: in the forest, you tell your sympathetic nervous system to stand down.
The Power of “Awe”
Have you ever looked up at a massive oak tree and felt… small? In a good way? That’s the “Awe Effect.” Science suggests that experiencing awe can lower pro-inflammatory cytokines (markers of physical stress) and make us feel more connected to others. It shifts our focus from our internal “to-do” lists to the vast, beautiful world around us.
How to Celebrate Earth Month (By Doing Very Little)
Usually, Earth Month prompts involve planting trees or picking up litter. Those are wonderful! But we’d like to suggest an additional radical act: Mindful Presence.
Honouring the planet starts with noticing it. If we view the Earth as just a resource to be used, we stay stressed, and the planet stays depleted. If we view the Earth as a partner in our well-being, everything changes.
A Mini Forest Bathing Guide for You
You don’t need a massive national park to start. Whether you’re looking for forest bathing UK hotspots or just have a local park with a few sturdy trees, here’s how to start:
- Put your phone on silent mode. The forest doesn’t have Wi-Fi, but we promise you’ll find a better connection.
- Slow Down: This isn’t a power walk. Try to move at about a quarter of your normal pace.
- Engage Your Senses:
- What do you hear? The distant rustle of leaves? A bird you can’t see?
- What do you smell? Damp earth? Pine needles?
- What do you feel? The texture of bark (go on, give it a touch!) or the wind on your cheeks?
- Find a “Sit Spot”: Find a place that feels welcoming and just sit for 10–20 minutes. Don’t try to meditate or clear your mind; just notice what’s happening around you.
Taking It Further: Professional Training and Research
If you’ve spent time in nature and felt that “aha!” moment where the stress just melts away, you might be wondering how to share that feeling with others.
We don’t just teach people to walk in the woods; we train them in the specific, evidence-based protocols of Forest Bathing+.
Our mission is to see forest bathing integrated into the mainstream healthcare system (did you know that forest bathing is already part of Green Social Prescribing in Surrey, UK?) Imagine a world where a doctor prescribes “two hours of forest immersion” alongside traditional treatments for anxiety or high blood pressure. That’s the future we’re working toward.
If you’re a wellness professional, a coach, or just someone who feels a deep calling to the woods, our CMA-accredited training offers a chance to turn that passion into a career.
Why Not Start This Week?
As we move through April, we challenge you to spend at least one hour a week in a green space. Not for exercise, not for social media photos, but for you.
- Week 1: Find your local “green lung” (a park, a woods, a garden).
- Week 2: Practice the “Sense of Sight”: how many shades of green can you actually see? (Hint: there are hundreds).
- Week 3: Practice the “Sense of Sound”: close your eyes (if you feel comfortable and safe) and see how far away the furthest sound is.
- Week 4: Earth Day! Spend a longer period in the forest and perhaps think of one way you can give back to that specific patch of land.
Final Thoughts
Earth Month and Stress Awareness Month are reminders that our health and the planet’s health are inextricably linked. By practising forest bathing, we reduce our own stress, which makes us more resilient, more compassionate, and more likely to care for the world we live in.
If you’re curious about how to get involved, whether it’s joining a guided session or signing up for our newsletter to stay updated on the latest nature-related wellbeing research, we’d love to have you.
Have you ever tried forest bathing? Or perhaps you have a favourite tree in your neighbourhood that always makes you feel a bit better? We’d love to hear your stories. Let’s make this April the month we finally find our balance: under the canopy of a beautiful forest.