Escape the daily grind with a serene getaway into the earth’s green lungs — the forest. Breathe clean air, rest your eyes on lush greenery, feel moss beneath your feet, and dip into cool ponds to return rejuvenated to the city. This is the quiet magic of Shinrin-Yoku, Japan’s practice of forest bathing.

Golden sunshine filtering through towering trees, mountain silhouettes wrapped in green, and streams murmuring over ancient boulders — if such imagery speaks to you, it’s time to surrender to the forest. Here, rainbow-splashed waterfalls coexist with soft carpets of fallen leaves, and the air tastes of earth, mist, and possibility. Amid this symphony, animals rustle through undergrowth while wildflowers perfume the breeze. Forest bathing invites us to reconnect with nature in its most unfiltered form.

The Forest Beckons

More than a simple walk in the woods, forest bathing is a sensory immersion that restores balance from the inside out. “It is essential for well-being,” says lifestyle coach Kiara Jain, founder of Mindful Living. “It reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and strengthens immunity.” In a world dominated by screens and deadlines, it offers a grounding reset — mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Tejas Chavan, Managing Director of Grape County Eco Resort & Spa in Nashik, agrees. “Forest bathing helps lower cortisol levels, regulate heart rate, and elevate mood. It draws us away from distraction and into conscious presence,” he says.

Nature retreats across India are now curating immersive experiences — rain-soaked monsoon trails, contemplative treks, guided night walks — all designed to help guests form deeper bonds with the wilderness as the forest canopy comes alive.

A Pathway to Health

Forest bathing is like a meditative safari. Physically, it enhances immunity, reduces inflammation, and supports a healthy heart. Forests enrich the lungs with purified oxygen and help ease the planet’s carbon load. Psychologically, their tranquillity softens anxiety, eases fatigue, and lifts low moods.

“Immersing oneself in a forest restores the nervous system,” says Jain. “It grounds us, increases focus, and clears mental clutter. The simple act of standing among trees and breathing deeply has a cleansing effect.”

Engaging the Senses

Forest bathing engages the body fully. “It involves slow walking, deep breathing, observing from a respectful distance, and heightened sensory awareness,” says Chavan. The experience may include birdwatching, cycling, tasting forest-grown produce, or simply soaking in the stillness. Many find that solo walks lead to profound personal clarity.

Each Sense Plays a Role

• Sight: Let your gaze soften. Notice light dancing through leaves, moss climbing up bark, clouds drifting lazily above.

• Sound: Tune into rustling foliage, distant birdsong, and the rhythmic hush of wind and water — nature’s quiet orchestra.

• Smell: Inhale pine, damp soil, or crushed petals. “These aromas have a calming influence on the brain,” notes Jain.

• Taste: Used with caution, taste can be grounding — safe herbs or forest berries sampled mindfully.

• Touch: Feel bark, moss, stones cooled by streams. “Physical contact with nature forms a soothing bond,” she adds.
  
  

The Invitation Is Tantalising

From California’s Redwoods to India’s Sundarbans, forests offer sanctuary. They remind us to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover the rhythms we once knew instinctively. Forest bathing is not a trend — it is a return. A soft calling to be still, present, and fully alive.

Biophilic Resorts to Experience the Wild, Gently

Westin Sohna Resort & Spa — Gurgaon

Spread across 37 acres of countryside, this secluded retreat features sprawling lawns, natural shrublands, a small zoo, and a peaceful lake perfect for fishing. A blend of wilderness and quiet luxury.

Cape Weligama — Sri Lanka

Perched atop 12 tropical acres overlooking the Indian Ocean, this resort in the pottery village of Kumbalgama offers sweeping 270-degree coastal views and immersive biophilic design at every turn.

SAii Phi Phi Island Village — Thailand

Set along the Andaman Coast, this beach resort embraces nature deeply — with a forest spa built into the mountains and locally crafted thatched roofs. Biophilia here isn’t a feature; it’s the heartbeat.