Forest Bathing in Denver: The Definitive Guide
Hey there curious traveler! Welcome to your guide for Denver Forest Bathing. I made this guide to share what I’ve learned with all of you. This guide is for you if you
- Have no idea what forest bathing is and want to learn more
- Have been curious about forest bathing and want to know how to do it
- Are looking to depend on your practice of forest bathing with a guide or groups.
Even if you are not from Denver, I’ve got a treat for you at the bottom of the page! But don’t skip all the good information before that.
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Table of Contents
What is Forest Bathing
Forest Bathing can mean a couple of different things. It’s origin is based on the practice of Shinrin Yoku, a Japanese practice (it literally translates to “forest bathing”. This Practice was first started in Japan in the 1980s, as the realization of the effects moving to the cities had on physical and mental health and wellness. Doctors at the time performed studies and studied how the deficit in the nature connection impacted the health and well-being of individuals, and how just a few hours in the forest can improve so much about a person’s well-being.
Forest bathing is not mindfulness in the woods. Though mindfulness and forest bathing intersect, they differ in some ways. Forest bathing goal is literally to soak in the natural elements of the forest; the sights, sounds, and physical sensations. The argument of forest bathing is that simply being there is improving the physical and mental wellness. Mindfulness calls for an intentional focus on the objective reality, and being full immersed in what you are doing. That is to say that mindfulness requires observation, labeling, and re-immersion in the present reality. It’s safe to say that practing mindfulness while forest bathing can be extremely beneficial, but is not necessarily required.
Forest Bathing vs Forest Therapy
Forest therapy is a practice based on the practice of Shinrin-Yoku, but is not equal in it’s practice. Forest Therapy based on the way of the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) is a practice that emphasizes a relationship with the Forest that is healing to the participant. The healing does not come from the guide, but rather the guide offers invitations to meet the forest, and allow the forest to do the healing. The forest is an active participant in the forest therapy walk. This differs from forest bathing, where the goal is to simply be in the nature around you.
The guide also offers several invitations that make up the practice, and complete a full journey called the standard sequence. After welcoming participants, the guide offers invitations that bring participants into awareness of the Forest through their senses and observations. From there, the forest therapy guide offers Partnership Invitations, which bring the participant and the Forest together. This is an opportunity for the participant to meet the Forest and build a relationship with it. Sometimes participants can even here the wisdom of the Forest during these invitations. After each invitation, there is a small sharing of what was noticed during the invitation. To finish of the walk, there is a Tea Ceremony where participants are able to share one more time to feel complete. This tea ceremony is an opportunity to thank the Forest and say goodbye until the next walk.
Benefits of Forest Bathing
Denver is known for its proximity to the forest. Though a lot of time is spent working, stuck on I25, I225, or 470, it’s fairly easy to find yourself in nature. This is good because there are an amazing amount of benefits to being in nature and practicing forest bathing.
Physical Benefits of Forest Bathing
Forest Bathing is associated with reduced stress. A 2007 Article measured the physiological effects of forest bathing, highlighting a decrease in stress hormones measured through saliva. This same study also showed decreased activity in the pre-frontal cortex, which influences attention, impulse control, and memory. This is a good thing, as this part of the brain becomes more active with stress and trauma. This makes a lot of sense too. When we enter the forest we leave behind the things most stressful: work, social lives, the news, and other places of stress. The reduction of input from these stressors, in addition to a setting that holds the power of reducing stress, increases our body’s parasympathetic nervous system to relax the body into “rest and digest”. Its counterpart, the sympathetic nervous system, is responsible for the”fight or flight” response. As a result, this has also been shown to reduce heart stress
Mental Health Benefits of Forest Bathing
It makes a lot of sense that forest bathing would then have an impact on mental health. These reductions in stress hormones and physiological reactions certainly reduce anxiety. Studies from a 2015 research paper have also shown an increase in motivation, improved mood, and encouraged communication. A reduction in these physiological and mental health symptoms only leaves space for an increase in creativity, if that’s your jam.
During the pandemic, Denver had an average rate of 31% for depression and anxiety. Forest Bathing in Denver makes a lot of sense, especially for those who experience mental health issues.
How to Practice Forest Bathing in Denver
Forest bathing requires an intersection of the participant and nature. For Denver residents, forest bathing can take place nearly anywhere. According to Denver’s Parks and Recreation sight, there are over 20,000 acres of parkland and trails in urban and mountain settings. In addition, Denver is surrounded by Jefferson County, which has their own open spaces prolific with mountain parks. Finding a space shouldn’t be difficult, but knowing where to look and being more aware is the key.
Where to Practice Forest Bathing Near Denver
In the Mountains
The mountains are a wonderful space to meet the forest, and there are many opportunities that only need a short distance of traveling. A small park that has some of the most important features for forest bathing is Lair O’ The Bear Park in Idledale Colorado. It is my favorite place to offer my forest therapy groups, as there are plenty of forest with shade, flat trails that are easily accessible, and Bear Creek runs right through it for an opportunity to listen and interact with it.
Colorado State Parks
Denver is within distance to many national parks, but with the influx of residents and on-going visitors they’ve needed to implement a timed entry system. Which is why I think the State Parks within distance of Denver are fantastic opportunities to go forest bathing. My favorite is Cherry Creek State Park, as it is generally flat and offers a host of different terrains and ecosystems. You can hang out in the woods, walk along the wetlands, or take a stroll in grassy fields. It’s also about 10 minutes from where I live, so it’s super easy to get to. If you want to get out of the Metro Area, Castlewood Canyon State Park is around 40-50 minutes from downtown Denver, and offers a beautiful hike along Cherry Creek that immerses yourself into the ecosystem of the canyon
On Your Local Trails
Forest Bathing in Denver can be as easy as walking to your local park or trail. Whoever planned the city and metro area did a pretty good job and connecting trails to parks, and making them easily accessible to residents. A 5-minute walk can bring you along your local stream or creek and into a green space where nature is more alive than you realize. If you slow down and notice what’s in motion for 10-15 minutes, you might find a variety of mallards, birds, and other animals.
In Your Backyard
If you happen to be lucky enough to have a backyard or scored one during the crazy housing market, then interacting with nature is as simple as hanging out in your backyard. This year I have a small hobby garden growing Corn, Beans, Peas, Melons, and Strawberries. The wildlife has grown prolific with pollinators, crickets, spiders, and ladybugs. Letting your grass grow out a little bit even lets the wildflowers bloom. Sitting in your backyard for 10 minutes can help you become closer to nature that you didn’t even know about.
Improving your Forest Bathing Practice in Denver
Going out into nature and soaking in the smells and sounds can be difficult for some. I’ve come up with a couple of suggestions to help you deepen your forest bathing practice.
Get Consistent
You knew this was coming, didn’t you? Forest Bathing is not a one-time magic cure that makes you feel better. Rather it is a journey made up of minutes to help you find a renewed perspective and refreshed body & mind. For that, you need to turn it into practice. This doesn’t mean you have to spend 3 hours a week outside. Forest bathing in even smaller doses of 15-30 minutes outside can do the trick! Pick a day and time that you can consistently stay outside uninterrupted. Leave the phone inside (no need for pesky interruption) and soak up everything you can about the nature around you. I usually do Wednesday mornings for 15 minutes, and just notice the sounds and movements in my backyard.
Start to Use Invitations
Forest Bathing invitations are great if you get bored quickly, lose track of your thoughts, or just generally are looking for deeper ways to connect with nature. An invitation is just that, an opportunity to experience nature in a different way if you choose to do so. They can be adjusted and or abandoned altogether if they aren’t serving you at the moment either.
There are a few components to invitations. They are best experienced when they are SOSI (Simple, Open, Sensory, Infinite) and when they have action, observation, and a sense. So an invitation of “I invite you to wander out and notice the different colors” is an invitation that meets all of these requirements. It’s simple in nature, open to all of the colors, and sensory, and you could do this for hours if you wanted to. The action is wander, the observation is noticed, and the sense is sight.
Find a Guide
Coming up with your own invitations can be difficult, however. That is why finding a forest bathing guide could really boost how you experience your practice. I would recommended anyone certified by the ANFT in Forest Therapy, but that might be a bias of mine as a certified guide. Their standard is 6 months of training, certification in wilderness first aid (or higher), as well as a 4 day training retreat. You can search around in your area by using their directory search https://www.natureandforesttherapy.earth/worldwide-member-map .
Denver Forest Bathing Groups
But you don’t have to look any further if you don’t want to. I wanted to offer a transformational experience that can be accessible to anyone at a reasonable price. I offer 6 sessions of Forest Therapy groups over twelve weeks as a sort of jumpstart to your forest bathing practice. You can check out my Denver Forest Bathing Cohort simply by clicking the hyperlink. This is an introvert’s dream group so if the idea of groups scares you, don’t count me out just yet. Forest Therapy Groups offer the benefits of working through a cohort of the same people, but minimal talking with others since most of the time is focused on individually experiencing the invitations. It’s like doing your own forest therapy walk, but with the feeling of connection with other people.
Your Colorado Forest Bathing Guide
Hey there, I’m Your Forest Bathing Guide! I’m Tim (He/Him), a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, nature-loving poetic, rooted dreamer. There is no better place to feel lost in your own life than on my therapy couch, whether it be virtual, in-person, or in the more than human-built world.
You’ve lost your relationship with nature, and ultimately yourself. Been there, done that. I absolutely get absorbed and focus on all the adult responsibilities and work-related tasks. But it is meaningless without this sense of connection to the bigger world around me.
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) who has been studying journaling, poetry, and forest therapy for some time now. To be clear, in this role I’m not a psychotherapist. If you need a therapist you should totally go find one, because therapy is awesome. I am a Certified Forest Therapy Guide through the ANFT, here to pass along my adventures and expertise in meeting the world we live in.
Not your Jam? Not Ready Yet? I totally get it. But hey, while your here, why don’t you download my invitations so you can practice on your own and see what you think?