Going for a walk in nature? It doesn’t just have a positive effect on your body; walking also has a positive effect on our minds. It helps us concentrate better and makes us more creative. Additionally, it’s proven that nature helps us recover faster from stressful situations and reduces loneliness.
Besides a regular walk in nature, you can do a specific activity called forest bathing, also known as Shinrin-Yoku. Curious what it is? We’ll explain this walk through nature to you. At the end of this blog, we also give 5 tips for beautiful nature reserves in the Netherlands for a wonderful walk.
What is forest bathing?
Forest bathing is a specific type of walk through nature that creates relaxation by immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the forest. During forest bathing, you consciously slow down your walking pace and take in the nature around you more effectively. You do this by using your senses more mindfully. By slowing down and looking more consciously at the colors and shapes of the nature around you, our blood pressure drops and our creativity gets a boost. Several studies have confirmed that forest bathing has health benefits, as concluded in a publication by Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine.
Are you looking for a relaxing activity? Then forest bathing is worth a try. You can do this by following a forest bathing workshop or by diving into nature yourself and taking in the sounds, shapes, scents, and textures.
3 exercises to start forest bathing
- Slow down your walking pace
Slow down your walking pace during forest bathing and stop every now and then. Take the time to take in everything around you and approach the walk without a goal; this way, you’ll follow a route through the nature reserve based on your own instinct. - Use your senses
Activate your senses and trust them. For example, follow a scent or focus on the sounds you hear. Birds chirping, flowing streams, or the creaking of trees. Stimulate your eyes and look at what’s on the ground, what you see in the sky, and between the trees. - Breathing
Focus on your breathing. This can be done while sitting by a tree or during the walk itself. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly.
5 beautiful nature reserves in the Netherlands
Be amazed by the beautiful nature reserves in the Netherlands, such as in a forest or on the heath. Spread throughout the Netherlands, there are many areas where you can get plenty of steps in. We have selected 5 beautiful nature reserves for you to enjoy a wonderful walk, where you can, of course, also go forest bathing.
- De Hoge Veluwe National Park, Gelderland
Probably one of the most famous nature reserves in the Netherlands: De Hoge Veluwe National Park. Every season, the landscape transforms into a stunning and colorful walking area. During your walk, expect long tree-lined avenues, wild heathlands, forested hills, and don’t be startled when animals appear among the trees. Wild boars, deer, foxes, and many more have made the Veluwe their home. - De Kaapse Bossen, Utrecht
In the middle of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park, you’ll find De Kaapse Bossen. Put on some sturdy walking shoes, as you’ll be walking in a hilly forest ranging from wide beech avenues to winding forest paths. If you take in the sounds well, you’ll hear various animals, such as woodpeckers, roe deer, and squirrels. Enjoy the numerous colors of trees, shrubs, and walking paths during the day, or climb the observation tower for a magnificent view. - De Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park, North Brabant
One of the largest drifting sand areas in Western Europe? That’s De Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park. The nature reserve has the characteristics of a desert and is also known as the Brabant Sahara. Take a wonderful walk along the vast dunes to let your mind wander and enjoy the sand, the heath, and the forests. - Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, North Holland
For hours of wandering and embracing nature, Zuid-Kennemerland National Park certainly won’t disappoint. This characteristic nature reserve is located by the North Sea, featuring densely forested dunes with twisted pines and beautiful dune lakes in between. While walking, there’s a good chance of spotting grazing Highland cattle. - Meijendel, South Holland
In the wondrous dune area of Meijendel, you walk past beautiful water features, forests, and sandy paths. The area is part of the Hollandse Duinen National Park, where you can walk for hours and encounter various plant and animal species. No matter which season you visit Meijendel, you’ll be able to take in a new shape, scent, and texture of nature every time.
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