31/05/2026
16 hours alone in the forest. No food. Just water. 22km. 36,000+ steps.
Why would anyone choose that?
It was a medicine walk, part of my training with to become a Forest Bathing Practitioner. A practice rooted in research showing that time in natural environments can lower cortisol, reduce blood pressure, improve mood, and support immune function.
I went in expecting fear: safety, hunger, discomfort.
But the moment I stepped into the forest at sunrise, under the dawn chorus, surrounded by stillness, something shifted. The body settled. My mind softened. My nervous system seemed to exhale.
What replaced the fear was connection. Deep, quiet, restorative connection.
Some of the moments that stayed with me:
• Lying in a sun-dappled meadow in the early hours, watching light move through grass
• Sketching foxgloves, time stretching and dissolving
• A curious squirrel interrupting my flute playing like it belonged in the performance
• Meditating on a memory bench, face warmed by gentle sun
• Cooling overheated feet in an icy river after hours of walking
What feels extreme here isn’t actually the point.
Research into forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku) shows that even 2 hours in woodland can significantly reduce stress markers, and benefits can last for days to weeks afterwards. Some studies even suggest sustained improvements in mood and immune activity after regular exposure.
You don’t need a 16-hour walk or total solitude to receive nature’s medicine.
You just need time. And trees🌳 🌱🌲🌳🍃🌿 🌱