A Gentle Introduction to Forest Bathing

Forest bathing is not hiking. It is not exercise. It is a slow, attentive walk through trees with no goal other than to be present with what is around you.

Begin by leaving your phone behind, or at least silenced and pocketed. Walk slower than feels natural. Notice the temperature of the air on your skin, the smell of damp earth, the way light filters through the canopy.

Pause often. Place a hand on the bark of a tree. Watch the way moss grows along the north side of a stone. Listen for layers of sound — wind, birds, your own breath.

Twenty minutes is enough to begin shifting your nervous system. An hour is better. Research from Japan and Finland suggests measurable drops in cortisol and blood pressure after regular practice.

The forest around our estate is well suited to this practice — quiet trails, varied trees, and several quiet clearings where you can simply sit. We're happy to point you toward our favorite spots.