Red Maple trees in the Japanese Garden

Unplug and Unwind by Practicing “Shinrin-Yoku,” aka Forest Bathing

Glowing red and orange maple trees in the Japanese Garden in autumn

Contemporary life is full of millions of stimuli fighting for your attention. We are bombarded with alerts, notifications, pop-ups and announcements—it seems every little thing demands an instant response.

Contrast this type of frantic living with the peaceful experience of being within nature. Trees and flowers demand nothing of you. You are free to notice what you want, or simply to be. Your heart rate slows and your breath deepens.

This experience has been given a name in Japan. It is called “shinrin-yoku,” which translates to “forest bathing,” using “bathing” to mean immersing yourself within something. (No one is asking you to remove your clothing—in fact, we ask you keep it on while visiting the Garden!) Another frequent translation is “taking in the forest atmosphere.” The term was introduced in Japan in the 1980s to encourage people to disconnect from technology and spend time outdoors.

“Taking a break in nature has real benefits,” says Director of Community Education Erin Starr White. “One study I saw said that spending as little as five minutes in a natural setting improves your mood, self-esteem and motivation.”

Slow Garden Experience
Nov. 13, 9 – 10 a.m.

Shinrin-Yoku: Forest-inspired Watercolor Landscapes
Dec. 1, 6 – 9 p.m.

Practicing shinrin-yoku can be as easy as walking through a favorite corner of the Garden with your phone tucked away and notifications off. Use your senses. Notice the feel of the ground beneath your feet, the scent of leaves, the colors of flowers.

For a guided exploration, try the Slow Garden Experience. These are hour-long monthly garden walks in which guests are invited to leave distractions behind and contemplate the sights, smells and sensations encountered along the way.

Rock fountain in the Japanese Garden

Art is another good way to engage with nature. “Take along a sketchbook or even just a pad of paper and some pencils. Try to reproduce the shapes you see,” says White. “It doesn’t matter if you think you can’t draw—no one ever needs to see your work. The goal is to observe the world in a new way.”

Experienced artists have an opportunity to explore nature in an upcoming class, “Shinrin-Yoku: Forest-Inspired Watercolor Landscapes.” Artist Brenda Ciardiello will lead students in a virtual class through the process of composing and painting a large watercolor landscape inspired by forests and the plants within them.

However you choose to engage with nature, the Garden is here to help you unplug and unwind. You are always welcome to bathe (while adequately clothed, of course) in our forest.

Related Articles

Newsletter

Why All the Latin? Taxonomy, Binomial Nomenclature and Carl Linnaeus

When you visit the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, you will notice signs identifying the plants. In the Japanese Garden, for example, you will see signs that read “Acer palmatum (Japanese maple).” Many people know that the part of the name in italics is the formal name of the plant, written in Latin (more or less.) Some people might even know that Acer palmatum is the genus and species of the tree more commonly known as Japanese maple. But why? What is the purpose of giving plants names in a dead language?

Read More »
Garden

For Reliable Summer Color, Look to Red Yucca

Many plants flower in May and into June, but as the temperatures rise, the blooms fade away and then stop altogether. Not red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora.) This Texas native combines easy care and drought tolerance with reliable color all summer long. “It’s one of the most carefree plants you can find,” says Sr. Horticulturist Steve Huddleston.

Read More »
Girl in field blows dandelions
Newsletter

Turn to Nature to Support Mental Health in Children

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, when Americans are urged to recognize the toll of mental illness, fight stigma and advocate for better support for the millions of people affected. One increasingly important area of focus: Children. Mental illness among children is caused by a bewildering array of factors, but no matter the exact situation, parents and other caregivers can adopt one simple strategy to buttress the mental health of the children and adolescents they love. They can foster a connection to nature.

Read More »