Forest Bathing; Clear your mind. Step into nature. Recharge


Summary

For the Student Life, Wellbeing & Inclusion newsletter (edition P5-2026), we spoke to the facilitators of the new Forest Bathing workshop.

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Groep mensen loopt door een zomers bos

In Period 5, we are launching a pilot workshop: Forest Bathing. But is this really something new? “Isn’t this a second nature for WUR students? Something they already do naturally?” we asked forest bathing guide Birgit Snelleman. She will lead the sessions together with her colleague Hanna Post.

Birgit: “For forest bathing, you don’t need any special knowledge or skills. During the session, we invite students to use their senses: seeing, listening, smelling, feeling and more. There’s no judgement and no need to analysis. It’s about stepping out of your busy mind and focusing on what is happening around you. In this way, you reconnect with nature - something many of us lose touch with in everyday life.”

Does forest bathing resemble mindfulness…but in nature?

“There are similarities,” Birgit says, “but the focus is different. Mindfulness mainly directs attention inward, to what’s happening in your thoughts and body. Forest bathing shifts the focus outward, towards nature and your sensory experience of the environment.”

Forest bathing is not about hiking, performance, or counting steps. Instead, you move slowly through a forest or park and pause to notice small details: colours, textures, scents and sounds. The aim is simple: slow down, observe and experience. Many participants notice their minds becoming calmer. By the end of a session, some people don’t want to return to the rush of everyday life. Taking time to slow down in nature helps you relax and recharge.”

Birgit is a psychologist and former HR professional who worked for many years in large organisations. Now, as a certified forest bathing guide, she combines her interest in personal development, wellbeing and time outdoors by guiding people in nature.

Hanna is originally from Sweden and worked for many years as a science communicator, focusing on sustainable, green cities. Nowadays, she guides people as a certified forest bathing guide and forest therapy practitioner, combining her Scandinavian roots and scientific background with a deep passion for connecting people with nature — both within ourselves and around us.  

👉 Curious? On Thursday March 26th from 12:15 - 13:45h you can experience the Forest Bathing workshop for yourself.👉Click for more info or sign up here

Quotes from participants 

Tom

"This was quite different from what I have experienced in other mindfulness courses.

It felt comforting that every reaction was welcome
and we even didn't need to speak."
Froukje

"The continuous change in nature encourages me to go
with the flow, to be totally OK with change."
Elske

"It was a very special and beautiful experience. The build up is good, it gradually slows you down more and more.

During the last exercise I wanted to stay seated even longer :) I want to do a number of exercises myself, to free up more time for that.

It really brought me a lot of peace!"" 

This article appears in the March 2026 edition of the Student Life, Wellbeing & Inclusion newsletter. Sign up here for our newsletter, which is published once per study period.