The Quiet Power of Winter Forest Bathing

Welcome to December, a month that invites us to slow down as the season shifts. Here in New England, the days grow shorter, the air turns sharper, and the Winter Solstice and Yule on December 21 draw near. Even as the world gets colder, this time of year can be a beautiful invitation to step outside, breathe in the quiet, and enjoy a restorative Forest Bathing walk. With the right layers, winter can offer some of the most peaceful moments the forest has to give.

Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, is a simple practice. You slow down, immerse yourself in the natural world, and let your senses guide you. In winter, this feels especially powerful. The stillness of the landscape encourages a gentler pace. The air is crisp. Sounds are softer. The scent of evergreens stands out in the cold.

Time among trees has been shown to:
• Lower stress and anxiety
• Improve mood and focus
• Support immune and cardiovascular health
• Improve sleep and overall well-being

Most of all, it helps you come back to yourself. This matters during winter when many people feel fatigued or affected by the shift in daylight.

With the leaves gone, the forest reveals details we miss in other seasons. Branch patterns become clear. Wildlife activity shifts. Trails feel wider and quieter. These subtle changes invite you to notice more, breathe more, and settle into a steadier rhythm. Being outdoors in winter also increases exposure to daylight, which supports circadian balance and can ease seasonal low moods. Spending time outdoors in winter helps you build a deeper sense of resilience, reminding you that rest, stillness, and renewal are natural cycles in both the environment and within ourselves.

I love walking a familiar trail throughout the year. Returning to the same place in different seasons lets me notice changes I would otherwise miss. The quiet shifts in light, the new patterns on tree bark, the way the air itself feels different in December than in June. Moving through the same landscape again and again helps me feel connected to it in a deeper, more grounded way.

Below are my top tips for enjoying a peaceful, comfortable, and nourishing Forest Bathing experience this season.

Top Ten Tips for Forest Bathing in Winter

1. Choose the Right Time
Visit during daylight hours, especially late morning or early afternoon when temperatures are more comfortable. Check the weather and avoid storms. If you are exploring a new area, tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.

2. Dress in Layers
Thermal clothing, waterproof boots, gloves, a hat, and a scarf make all the difference. Start out a little cool so you do not sweat and get chilled later. Add layers when you slow down or stop.

3. Slow Down
Forest Bathing is not a hike or a workout. Take your time. Move with intention. Let the winter landscape set the pace.

4. Observe Nature’s Details
Notice frost on branches, fresh animal tracks, the structure of tree limbs, and the way snow settles on evergreens. Winter highlights the small things.

5. Find Cozy Spots to Pause
Look for a quiet nook under trees or a sheltered clearing. Sit, breathe, and allow yourself to settle.

6. Practice Nature Mindfulness
Let your senses lead. Feel the cool air, listen to the softened sounds, notice the scents of earth and pine, and touch the textures around you.

7. Use Mindful Breathing
Take slow, steady breaths. Inhale the crisp air, pause, then exhale tension. This helps calm the body and anchor the mind.

8. Embrace the Silence
Winter forests often feel peaceful in a way that other seasons do not. Let the quiet support you.

9. Stay Hydrated and Nourished
Bring a thermos of herbal tea or hot chocolate. A warm drink keeps you hydrated and makes the experience more comforting.

10. Respect the Forest
Leave no trace, stay aware of wildlife, and treat the forest with care.

A gentle invitation

Winter often asks us to turn inward, and with that turning can come a mix of quiet comfort and unexpected loneliness. As the days grow shorter and we spend more time indoors, it’s easy to feel a bit disconnected from both ourselves and others. Nature offers a beautiful antidote. Even a brief walk outside can help, and sharing that experience with others can make the season feel a little lighter.

Guided Forest Bathing walks create a gentle space for connection—both with the landscape and with the people who choose to move through it alongside you. There’s something grounding about being in the winter woods together, noticing the small details, settling into silence, and remembering that we’re not meant to navigate the colder months entirely on our own.

Whether you explore on your own or join a guided group when it feels right, my hope is that you find moments this season that help you feel supported, steady, and quietly connected—to yourself, to others, and to the world around you.

In Peace and Light,

Kristin