Take a Bath in Nature

Being out of touch with nature is one of the dilemmas that plagues any city slicker. Deep down, we all know that humans are meant to live among trees, not concrete and pollution. Yet, convincing ourselves to prioritise spending real time in nature can be challenging. Perhaps it is necessary to explore the distinct benefits of regularly immersing oneself in nature, known as forest bathing or forest therapy.
Forest bathing and forest therapy are closely related practices, though they aren’t entirely synonymous. Forest or nature therapy encompasses a broader approach to achieving well-being through interaction with natural environments. While forest bathing specifically describes the therapeutic practice of immersing oneself in forest settings.
Various cultures worldwide have practised forms of forest bathing, with some traditions dating back to antiquity. The Japanese are often credited with formalising the practice under the name –shinrin yoku– and establishing guidelines for it since the 1980s. Initiated by the Japanese government as a response to the country’s rapid urbanisation, the practice of shinrin yoku is based on extensive research showing the health benefits of being among plants.
Research studies and medical journals indicate that the essential oils and natural compounds emitted by plants, such as phytoncides, can kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, microscopic fungi, and protozoa, thereby boosting an organism’s immunity.
However, shinrin yoku offers more than just physical health benefits; it profoundly contributes to holistic well-being, particularly in terms of mental and emotional wellness. According to James Marriott, a forest therapy practitioner and guide living in Koh Phangan, forest bathing reconnects you with nature and yourself, allowing your thoughts to quieten, your body to feel, and your emotions to surface. This could lead to a cultivation of presence, of a sense of awe and wonder, and even playfulness.
“Forest therapy gives you intentional time to reconnect to your natural essence, switch off your mind, and allow the sensations of the body to flow freely in a naturally healing environment,” he says.
Becoming a forest therapy practitioner felt like a natural calling for someone like James, who comes from an outdoorsy background. One of his first jobs was a divemaster, another kind of guide into the natural world. He is also an avid trekker and cyclist who previously utilised those skills in the charity tourism sector, helping clients fundraise for good causes by challenging themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. While it was rewarding to give back to society, eventually the mechanics of the job became too demanding, leading him to seek another avenue for his love of nature, adventure, and helping people.
I was interested in organic farming at the time and stayed at a guesthouse on a farm that was run by a woman we called ‘Auntie Add’. I hadn’t really heard of forest bathing at that point, but Auntie Add was very into it and started explaining it to me, and it just clicked. This was how I could get people to reconnect with nature and ultimately protect it.
“I first read about forest bathing in articles over a decade ago. Then, when I was looking for a change of direction, a friend recommended a forest therapy course, and it immediately felt right,” recalls the 43-year-old.
James started his Koh Phangan forest therapy practice last year, hosting guided experiences once a week. He is certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT), the world’s largest network of certified forest therapy guides and leading provider of forest therapy training and certification, headquartered in the US.
When asked whether professional guidance is needed for forest bathing, James asserts that it certainly makes a difference. “Sure, anyone can and should spend time in nature, but there’s something special about being guided through simple practices that allow you to switch off and just be present,” he says.
Fellow forest therapy practitioner Nicha Sirinan agrees with James’ sentiments here. “On one hand, it’s easy to go into a forest and spend time in that environment, but maybe you don’t actually know how to connect with nature and you’re just on your phone the whole time. A guide can really help to maximise the forest bathing experience by showing you how to open your senses to the environment,” says the 30-year-old guide, adding that forest bathing essentially utilises all five senses – sight, smell, sound, touch, and even taste.
Based in Bangkok, Nicha runs a “forest therapy and nature connection” community known as Forestory, offering a small group of people on guided forest immersion journeys, from half-day experiences in Bangkok to overnight trips both a little further out and abroad.
Much like James, Nicha has always loved nature, enjoying trekking, diving, and dedicating her time to environmental activism. Her initiation into forest bathing happened on a visit to an organic farm in Kanchanaburi after the pandemic.

“I was interested in organic farming at the time and stayed at a guesthouse on a farm that was run by a woman we called ‘Auntie Add’,” shares Nicha. “I hadn’t really heard of forest bathing at that point, but Auntie Add was very into it and started explaining it to me, and it just clicked. This was how I could get people to reconnect with nature and ultimately protect it.”
The epiphany sent her on a knowledge-seeking journey that culminated in an ANFT certification. As Nicha hosts more guided forest bathing trips this year through Forestory, including one in Bali, she shares that participants in her forest bathing workshops join for various reasons. “Some of our participants have been depressed, burned out, anxious, or at a crossroads in their lives. Others may be urban dwellers who just want to experience nature in a way that is not too advanced or strenuous.”
The reason for practising forest bathing does not seem to matter; what matters is simply getting up and doing it, whenever and however you can – whether with a guide, following your instincts, or with the aid of literature. As James succinctly puts it, “Forest therapy is both the oldest healing modality in human evolution and the latest trend in holistic health.”