Photo by James Caldwell
A New Prescription for Mental Health and Planetary Well-Being
guest article by Wendy Figone
We are living in a time of profound disconnection—from one another, from our bodies, and from the natural world that sustains us. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) now recognizes forest bathing as a simple yet powerful mental health practice that can help restore this essential connection. Read their full article here.
So, what is forest bathing? Known in Japan as Shinrin-Yoku, it literally means “bathing in the forest air.” It’s not about hiking or exercise—it’s about slowing down and immersing yourself in the sights, sounds, textures, and scents of nature. You can practice forest bathing anywhere there are trees or natural spaces—parks, gardens, or along our local trails.
The practice began in Japan in the 1980s, when the government noticed a sharp rise in stress-related illness, cancer, and immune disorders as people moved from forest villages into urban life. Scientists discovered that phytoncides—the natural oils trees emit—stimulate our bodies to produce more natural killer (NK) cells, which boost immunity and lower inflammation. These benefits can last for days after time spent in nature.
Photo by Wendy Figone
But it’s much more than that. We’re all experiencing the effects of screen fatigue—low dopamine levels from too much scrolling, multitasking, and constant stimulation. This phenomenon, known as direct attention fatigue, leaves us mentally foggy and emotionally drained. The cure? You guessed it—forest bathing. Researchers believe that the repeating fractals or patterns found in nature help the brain rest and restore focus. For those in the tech world, this offers an edge: greater creativity, insight, and access to the subconscious mind—where our best ideas often emerge.
As a nation rooted in technology, Japan realized that constant overwork and urbanization were eroding both health and harmony with the planet. The solution wasn’t more medicine—it was more nature. Shinrin-Yoku, grounded in Shinto traditions that honor the “more-than-human world,” invites reverence and reciprocity. On forest therapy trails in Japan, Torii gates—traditional wooden arches—mark the threshold between the everyday world and the sacred forest, symbolizing a crossing into deeper awareness.
Here in San Mateo County, we’re embracing this same global wellness movement. Forest bathing is now practiced around the world—from Germany’s Healing Forests to Canada’s PaRx “Park Prescription” program—and it’s making its way into our local parks and open spaces.
Certified guides, trained through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT), lead walks using a standard sequence designed to help you slow down, connect with your senses, and cultivate presence. Over time, you’ll learn to practice on your own—restoring balance in both mind and body.
Wendy Figone is an ANFT (Association of Nature and Forest Therapy) certified Forest Therapy Guide and myofascial therapist who integrates breathwork and embodied stress release into each walk. Through her practice, Somatic Ecotherapy, Wendy helps individuals and organizations reconnect with nature, restore balance, and cultivate resilience.
Learn more at www.somaticecotherapy.com
In partnership with the San Mateo County Parks Foundation, Wendy will be guiding Forest Therapy Walks—an experience that’s not about getting somewhere, but about fully being somewhere. Stay tuned for our next event.
At Mirada Surf, photo by Rob Cala