Forest bathing against stress and burnout
7.11.2025
How forest scents help reduce stress
Do you know the effect of the forest? Shades of green in every imaginable form, the vibrant stillness interwoven with birdsong, rustling winds, and babbling brooks. The incomparable bouquet of scents with notes of conifers, resins, moss, and mushrooms – calming, grounding, and relaxing. The terpenes in the essential oils of conifers are particularly valuable for stress reduction. They encourage deep breathing and can support health in a variety of ways.
Forest bathing against stress: A scientifically proven ritual
Consciously immersing yourself in the forest air with all your senses not only has a beneficial effect on the mind, but also strengthens the entire body. In Japan, forest bathing – also known as Shinrin-yoku – has been established as a recognized form of therapy since the 1980s. There, it is not only considered a proven method for stress reduction, but is also a subject of research in forest medicine, which is now an independent field of study at universities.
Forest medicine and its effects on stress and burnout
Studies show that spending time in the forest has a positive effect on the nervous system and simultaneously strengthens the immune system. The secondary plant compounds in the air are particularly valuable, as they combine with calming visual stimuli and the absence of urban stressors to produce a profound effect. Experiments demonstrate that even just a few days of intensive forest bathing can positively influence the immune system for several weeks. Interestingly, the essential oils typical of forest air – especially the terpenes – also have a stimulating effect on the immune system, even independently of actual forest exposure.
Forest bathing at home – stress reduction with the power of aromatherapy
Even if you don't always have time for a long walk in the woods, you can bring the beneficial effects of forest scents into your home. Aromatherapy offers numerous ways to utilize the calming and invigorating effects of conifer oils.
Use essential oils like silver fir, spruce needle, or Swiss pine in a diffuser or oil burner to bring the feeling of the forest into your living spaces. The "Forest Magic" blend releases a pleasant, grounding aroma into the air and creates a relaxing atmosphere.
Forest bathing on the go
A scent stick with a few drops of essential pine oil – complemented by a hint of lemon – brings the fresh clarity of the forest into your everyday life. Ideal for stressful days, long car journeys, or as a short break at the office.
Forest bathing in the bathtub
A fragrant bath with essential conifer oils such as mountain pine, Swiss pine, or fir needle offers a wonderful way to relax after a long day and gently release stress. A DIY blend of conifer oil and lemon in neutral bubble bath provides a soothing, aromatic experience.
Forest sauna for deep relaxation
Use a combination of essential oils like silver fir and orange or bergamot and pine needle for a sauna infusion that invigorates the senses while deeply relaxing. The scents not only lift the mood but also support the immune system.
Sleep like you would in a Swiss pine bed
Place a few drops of Swiss pine oil on a fragrance stone near your bed and enjoy the feeling of sleeping in the middle of an alpine forest. The comforting scent of Swiss pine grounds you and slows down your pace.
Forest bathing as a natural support against stress and burnout
Forest bathing is much more than a walk – it's a holistic method for regenerating body and mind. With the power of essential oils, you can bring the beneficial effects of the forest into your home and thus benefit from the calming and invigorating effects of nature at any time.
References from science
A selection of studies
- Li Q, Morimoto K, Kobayashi M et al. Visiting a forest, but not a city, increases human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins. Int J Immpath Pharmacol 2008; 21 (1): 117–127.
- Ohira T, Matsui N. Phytoncides in forest atmosphere. In: Li Q, ed. Forest medicine: public health in the 21st century. New York: Nova Biomedical; 2013: 27-36.
- Antonelli M, Donelli D, Barbieri G, Valussi M, Maggini V, Firenzuoli F. Forest Volatile Organic Compounds and Their Effects on Human Health: A State-of-the-Art Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Sep 7;17(18):6506
- Zorić M, Farkić J, Kebert M, Mladenović E, Karaklić D, Isailović G, Orlović S. Developing Forest Therapy Programs Based on the Health Benefits of Terpenes in Dominant Tree Species in Tara National Park (Serbia). Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 May 1;19(9):5504.
- Grote V, Frühwirth M, Lackner HK, Goswami N, Köstenberger M, Likar R, Moser M. Cardiorespiratory Interaction and Autonomic Sleep Quality Improve during Sleep in Beds Made from Pinus cembra (Stone Pine) Solid Wood. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Sep 16;18(18):9749
