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Forest bathing: recharge your batteries in nature

Ever heard of forest bathing? It has little to do with a normal bath, but it's just as relaxing. The idea is that in the tranquillity of the woods you find peace and quiet and do something good for your health.

AuthorSWICA Content Team
3 minutes reading time08. April 2026
Like so many health trends, forest bathing originated in Japan. Known there as shinrin-yoku, it became established as a relaxation method back in the 1980s. "Shinrin-yoku" means something like "taking a bath in the forest air". So it's about leaving your stressful everyday life behind you, immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the woods, focusing all your attention on the here and now and becoming more aware of your surroundings with all your senses. Forest bathing has positive effects on your mind and your physical health. And the best thing about it is that apart from a little time and a patch of forest, you need absolutely nothing to do it.

Just give it a try

How do you go about bathing in the forest? There aren't actually any hard and fast rules. The only important thing is that when you're in the woods, you shouldn't be distracted by your mobile phone, conversation or music through your earphones. You should experience the forest with as many senses as possible. Stroll through the forest slowly (and feel free to leave the marked paths if permitted), feel the rough bark of the trees and savour the earthy scent of the fertile forest floor. You're completely free to choose how you go about it. You decide for yourself what paths to take and where to linger. The aim is to achieve a state of complete calm and forget your problems and worries for the time you spend bathing in the forest.

Good for your mental and physical health

 

  • The physical activity stimulates the circulation and improves the blood supply to muscles and organs. When your body's in motion, endorphins are released, boosting your wellbeing and even relieving pain.

  • In addition, the levels of the stress hormones cholesterol and cortisol fall, which is good for your cardiovascular health.

  • Just a few deep breaths of fresh, moist forest air will lower your blood pressure.

  • In the forest there's usually hardly any of the noise that causes stress in humans. The smells of the woods also have a calming effect.

Watch out for ticks

Even though it's currently tick season, you can still go forest bathing. Here are a few tips on how best to protect yourself from ticks.

SWICA'a world of health

You'll find more information on the health-promoting effects of the forest in SWICA's world of health.

For your health: santé24 and SWICA Benecura

Do you have a health question? Our physicians and healthcare professionals at santé24 are available 24/7 on +41 44 404 86 86 for SWICA customers. In addition to telephone health advice, patients whose conditions are appropriate for telemedicine can receive medical services such as diagnostics, treatment, and even e-prescriptions for prescription medications.

Do you feel ill? The SWICA Benecura medical app makes it easy to carry out a digital SymptomCheck. You will receive a personal recommendation about what to do next. Send your information in encrypted form to the santé24 online practice for your telephone consultation to significantly shorten the assessment.

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