Shinrin-Yoku – Why "Forest Bathing" is so Good for Children

What Japanese and Finnish research shows about it

Only a few decades ago, the forest was a completely natural playground for many children. Climbing trees, building huts, observing animals, or exploring unknown paths were part of everyday life for many generations. Today, screens, a packed schedule, and an increasingly fast pace of life are taking up more and more space.

Scientists from Japan and Europe have been studying the impact of contact with nature on our health for many years. Their findings point in a similar direction: regular stays in the forest can support body and mind and make an important contribution to well-being.

One of the best-known methods for consciously benefiting from nature is Shinrin-Yoku – Japanese "forest bathing."

What does Shinrin-Yoku mean?

Shinrin-Yoku (森林浴) literally means "bathing in the forest." However, it does not refer to physical cleansing, but rather to a conscious immersion in the atmosphere of the forest.

It's about perceiving the forest with all your senses: listening to the rustling of leaves, inhaling the scent of trees, feeling the textures of bark and moss, or simply letting the tranquility of nature work its magic.

Unlike a strenuous hike, Shinrin-Yoku is not about performance. It's about slowing down, putting away your phone, and consciously arriving in the moment.

Especially for children, this type of nature experience can be particularly valuable, as it allows them to freely discover their environment and gather their own experiences.

How did the idea of forest bathing come about?

Although the close connection between humans and forests has a long tradition in Japanese culture, the term Shinrin-Yoku was officially introduced only in 1982. The Japanese Forestry Agency developed it as part of a national health program.

The background was increasing urbanization, rising everyday stress, and the growing number of so-called lifestyle diseases. The Japanese government asked itself: Can regular stays in the forest actually bring measurable health benefits?

To investigate this question scientifically, extensive research projects were launched. Special therapeutic forests, known as Forest Therapy Bases, were created to study how the human body reacts to natural forest environments.

This research made Shinrin-Yoku known worldwide and laid the foundation for viewing the forest not only as a place of recreation but also as an important factor for prevention and health promotion.

What do Japanese studies show?

One of the most renowned researchers in this field is the Japanese scientist Prof. Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Together with his team, he investigated the physiological responses of people during stays in various Japanese forests.

A significant study was conducted in 24 different Japanese forests. A total of 280 healthy adults participated. The participants spent time in both forest areas and urban environments. Afterwards, various physiological parameters were compared.

The results showed clear differences. Stays in the forest were associated with:

• a reduction in cortisol levels (stress hormone),
• lower blood pressure,
• a slower heart rate,
• a stronger activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest and relaxation,
• an improvement in mood and a reduction in psychological tension.

Further investigations indicate that regular stays in the forest can also positively influence the immune system. Among other things, so-called phytoncides – natural fragrances emitted by trees – are discussed as a possible mechanism, potentially influencing the activity of certain immune cells.

Although many of these studies were initially conducted with adults, they formed the basis for further research into the role that nature experiences can play in children's development.

What we can learn from Finland

If Japan laid the scientific foundations for Shinrin-Yoku, Finland shows how closely contact with nature can be integrated into children's daily lives.

This is no coincidence. About 75 percent of Finland's area is covered by forests, and nature plays a central role in Finnish culture and education system. For Finnish children, spending time outdoors is part of everyday life from an early age – regardless of the season and weather.

In Finnish kindergartens, a simple rule applies:

"There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing."

Rain, snow, or low temperatures are no reason to stay indoors. Children spend a lot of time outdoors every day, playing, discovering their surroundings, and learning through direct experiences in nature.

This approach is in many ways similar to the basic principles of Shinrin-Yoku: people should re-establish a conscious connection with their natural environment.

The forest strengthens health – groundbreaking research from Finland

One of the most interesting European studies was conducted by a research team from the University of Helsinki and the Natural Resources Institute Finland.

The scientists wanted to find out whether a change in the environment of urban kindergartens could have a measurable impact on children's health.

For this purpose, some playgrounds were redesigned with natural elements. Among other things, the researchers introduced forest soil, moss, peat, shrubs, and typical plants from Finnish forests into the children's environment.

The children played regularly in this natural environment for a period of 28 days.

The results were remarkable. After just one month, the scientists were able to observe changes:

• a greater diversity of beneficial bacteria on the children's skin,
• positive changes in the gut microbiome,
• improvements in biological markers associated with immune system regulation.

The study, published in the journal Science Advances, suggests that regular contact with a diverse natural environment can support the development of the immune system even in early childhood.

Nature promotes more than just physical health

The experiences from Finland show that natural environments offer more than just physical benefits. They also influence how children learn, play, and interact with each other.

Research in nature education shows that children in natural environments more often:

• play creatively,
• develop their own solutions to problems,
• cooperate with each other,
• act more independently,
• perceive their surroundings more consciously.

The forest offers no ready-made play scenarios. A branch can become a tool, a tree stump a lookout point, and a pile of leaves a fantasy world. It is precisely this openness that fosters imagination and the ability to realize one's own ideas.

Earlier Finnish studies also show that children who have regular contact with natural habitats often develop a stronger connection to nature. They are better at recognizing plants and animals and are more likely to see themselves as part of a larger ecosystem.

The influence of Shinrin-Yoku on children's development

Although the first scientific studies on Shinrin-Yoku were mainly conducted with adults, there is now growing interest in how regular contact with nature influences children's development.

Studies from Japan, Finland, and other European countries show that stays in natural environments can support children's emotional, cognitive, and social development.

Children who regularly spend time in nature benefit from, among other things:

• better stress management,
• improved concentration,
• more physical activity,
• greater creativity,
• better social skills.

Nature offers children an environment that appeals to many senses without overstimulating the nervous system with artificial stimuli. Sounds, smells, different surfaces, and natural movement opportunities stimulate perception while promoting calm and attention.

For this reason, more and more countries – including Finland, Sweden, and Norway – are integrating elements of nature and forest education into their educational programs.

Children there learn not only about nature but also through nature: by observing, experimenting, collaborating, and discovering independently.

However, scientists emphasize that nature experiences should not be understood as a substitute for medical or therapeutic measures. Rather, they are a valuable component of a healthy lifestyle that supports children's holistic development and strengthens their relationship with the environment.

How can Shinrin-Yoku be practiced with children?

You don't need special equipment, specific training, or hours of hiking to experience the positive effects of nature.

All it takes is time, a patch of woods or a natural park, and a willingness to slow down together.

Shinrin-Yoku with children is not about working through a specific program. Far more important is giving children space to discover their surroundings independently.

Together, you can, for example:

• listen to the sounds of the forest,
• observe birds and small animals,
• learn about different tree species,
• collect leaves, pinecones, or stones,
• feel the texture of tree bark and moss,
• look for animal tracks,
• sit on a tree trunk and simply enjoy the tranquility of nature.

It is particularly valuable if adults do not constantly explain or instruct, but remain curious together with the child. Children have a natural ability to connect with their environment – the forest gives them the space for it.

Studies show that even 20 to 30 minutes of conscious time in nature can have positive effects on well-being. However, it is not a single long excursion that is decisive, but regularity. Short, recurring nature experiences can be more valuable than rare, large undertakings.

The forest as an ally for a healthy childhood

Shinrin-Yoku is far more than a modern trend. It is a concept that originated in Japan over forty years ago and is now supported by numerous scientific studies.

Japanese research shows how the forest can influence the human body: stress can be reduced, relaxation is promoted, and natural recovery processes are supported.

The experiences from Finland and other Scandinavian countries, in turn, show how important regular contact with nature is for children. There, the forest is not only seen as a place of leisure but as a space for learning and development.

Both Japanese studies on the physical effects of the forest and Finnish investigations into the development of childhood immunity make it clear: nature can be an important partner for children's health.

Regular stays in the forest can help children:

• calm down,
• better regulate stress,
• develop their creativity,
• integrate physical activity naturally into their daily lives,
• build a positive relationship with nature.

Perhaps this is one of the most important insights: the best support for a child's development doesn't always have to come from additional courses, programs, or activities.

Sometimes something very simple is enough – a shared walk through the forest, without haste, without a screen, and with an openness to what nature has to offer.