How Nature and Forest Bathing Can Soothe Your Anxious Mind this Summer

Finding Calm: How Nature Can Help Ease Anxiety

As summer unfolds, the outdoors begins to call us gently and persistently. The longer days and warmer air invite us outside, encouraging us to pause, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the natural world. For those carrying anxiety or stress, time in nature can offer more than a change of scenery; it can be a powerful step toward healing.

The Quiet Power of Nature

Nature has a subtle yet profound way of calming our minds. It softens the mental noise we carry from day to day and offers stillness where there was tension. Research shows that spending just 20 minutes in a natural setting can significantly lower stress hormone levels. That is less time than a coffee break and far more restorative.

Imagine standing beneath a canopy of green, with sunlight filtering through the leaves and a gentle breeze brushing your skin. You hear the rustle of branches and the distant chirp of birds. For a moment, your mind quiets. That shift, moving out of your thoughts and into the present, is where healing begins.

What Is Forest Bathing?

Forest bathing, or Shinrin Yoku, originated in Japan as a simple but intentional practice. It involves spending time in nature while fully engaging your senses. There is no destination to reach and no goal to accomplish. Instead, you are invited simply to be present.

You might wander slowly along a trail, sit beside a quiet lake, or stand among trees and listen. Forest bathing is not about hiking or exercise. It is about noticing, savoring, and allowing yourself to slow down.

sunlight through the leaves

How It Helps

For those living with anxiety, forest bathing can be especially helpful. Time in nature can provide meaningful mental and emotional benefits. It can:

• Create a sense of grounding, reminding you that you are part of something bigger than yourself.

• Build emotional resilience, helping you face challenges with more clarity.

• Support your immune system, thanks to cleaner air and natural compounds released by plants that promote overall well-being.

• Improve mood and focus, allowing your nervous system to reset and recharge.

Even short and consistent moments in nature can make a meaningful difference. It is the quality of your presence, not the quantity of time, that matters most.

Getting Started

You do not need a dense forest or a mountain retreat to begin. Here are a few simple ways to get started with forest bathing:

• Find a green space. A local park, garden, forest preserve, or quiet backyard can all provide what you need.

• Leave your phone behind. Or at least put it on silent to give yourself space to fully engage.

• Engage your senses. Notice the colors, textures, sounds, and scents. Feel the sun, the breeze, and the ground beneath your feet.

• Go slow. Let yourself wander or rest without rushing. Let time feel open and spacious.

• Reflect afterward. Write a few thoughts in a journal. Noticing how you feel afterward can deepen your connection to the practice.

A Summer Invitation

In a world filled with constant noise and distraction, nature remains a quiet refuge. Summer, with its warmth and light, offers a perfect opportunity to reconnect with the earth and with yourself.

Let this be your reminder to step outside and allow the trees, the sky, and the quiet moments to guide you back to a place of calm.