Happy International Forest Day – March 21st

As international days of anything goes, International Forest Day is one of my favourites! It was established ‘to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests’. The United Nations established it in 2012 when it proclaimed March 21st as the International Day of Forests.

2025 will be the 14th year, and the theme will be ‘Forests and foods’. Will you be celebrating in your neck of the woods?

Let’s join in the spirit of the day by enjoying some Forest Bathing. I’m taking you for a wander to one of my most joyful Bangkok escapes to the country, Little Tree Garden Cafe in Nakhon Pathom. Come for a lovely lunch and let’s return to our roots.

What is Forest Bathing?

When I heard of Forest Bathing, I was intrigued. It hales from Japan where it is known as “Shinrin-yoku” which literally means forest bath… but without the water!

One of my favourite books at the moment is called Into the Forest: How trees can help you find Health and Happiness. By Dr Qing Li

In this book, Dr Li describes forest-bathing to means ‘bathing in the forest atmosphere or connecting with nature through all our senses’. In his native Japan, he shows us where you can go to connect with the world through forests.

Across the world, Forest Bathing is becoming popular. It is generally free, anyone can participate, you just need a forest or at least some trees, and it is good, a clean wholesome boost for the soul!

Why I am a tree hugger!

It may be the little Wren in me, but I have always had serious tree-hugging tendencies. I just adore all trees. In fact, reflecting on all my favourite homes across the years, they all had one thing in common, a garden where I could hear the little birds sing.

These gardens were special because of the trees. We had horse chestnut trees in England’s green and pleasant land. These majestic trees produced huge shiny conkers of treasure. Each autumn as a young child, I would unwrap these precious nuts, hidden inside prickly green shells.

We would play a game of conkers. A champion emerged with the strongest conker as the tree leaves turned golden and fell from the trees. Without knowing it, I had my first forest bathing experience.

Little Tree Garden Cafe

In Melbourne, Australia we have elegant silver birch trees which grace the front garden of our Aussie home. These trees are a safe haven for the raucous rainbow lorikeets and ring-tailed possums who take up residence in our suburban tree-lined street.

Here in Thailand, I work hard at feeling less removed from nature. I even have a rescued tree in a pot in my current Bangkok condo.

Readers of my Little Wandering Wren blog will remember the joy of moving this tree from my much loved (now sadly knocked down sob, sob) Embassy Place Apartment, to its current Sukhumvit home. My tree high above, on the thirtieth-floor balcony, makes me happy each day, and ecstatic when I was joined by a pair of nesting noisy sunbirds.

Bless, their amazing endeavours building a home at such dizzy heights. That’s the power of trees for you.

Seriously if you see some weird happenings on a Sukhumvit balcony, it’s just Wren hugging her skinny little Thai balcony tree!

The benefits of Forest Bathing

Forest Bathing, or ‘shinrin-yoku,’ was first developed in Japan in the 1980s, following scientific studies conducted by the government. It is catching on. Britain’s Woodland Trust suggests Forest Bathing should be among a range of non-medical therapies recommended by GPs’ surgeries to improve patients’ well-being.

In America, there is an Association of Nature and Forest Therapy with Forest Therapy Guide training programs on offer across the globe.

Studies show two hours of mindful exploration in a forest could reduce blood pressure, lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels and improve concentration and memory.  Trees release chemicals called phytoncides, which have an anti-microbial effect on human bodies, boosting the immune system.

Little Tree Garden Cafe

Why do nature and trees make us feel good?

Go on try it! A woodland wander is rejuvenating and reinvigorating. Being in nature restores our mood, it gives us energy.

‘When we are in harmony with the natural world we can begin to heal. Forest Bathing takes us home to our true selves’.

‘When we open up our senses, we begin to connect with the natural world. In doing so, our health improves when we are in nature and suffers when we are divorced from it’.

The list in Dr Qing Li’s book of possible benefits is impressive and continues to include reducing blood pressure, boosting the immune system, and even helping in losing weight. I’m so there.

Let’s go!

Little Tree Garden Cafe

How can I experience Forest Bathing?

You can make your own forest bathing experience. Dr Qing Li suggests you are looking for a venue where you

‘can smell the flowers, taste the fresh air, listen to the little birds sing, see the changing colours of the trees, and feel the clammy heat of the day on our skin’

Good news. Feeling the clammy heat of the day is never too hard to find, here in Thailand. I generally find the little birds of the world like to sing. Fresh air? Hmmm, sadly we may have to work at finding that some days here.

Top tips for authentic Forest Bathing:

• ‘Let nature enter through your ears, eyes, nose, mouth, hands and feet’
• Wander aimlessly, there is nowhere to go other than where your body wants to take you.
• I love this; ‘go without the thought of return’.
• Be guided by your sense of smell and smell the fragrance of the forest.
• Take your time. Place your hands on the trunk of a tree. What do you feel? Can you feel the tree’s strength? Do you feel its support? Do you feel grounded, connected to this earth? If not, go find another tree!
• Walk for about 5 km
• Leave your phone at home.
• Just try to be, the true you.

Forest Bathing with dear friends is the best!

Where can I go for some forest bathing?

A forest bath is soothing for the soul and accessible to all at some level. You just need to find the rhythm of nature through a forest walk. Sure you can go the whole hog, barefooted and literally ground yourself in nature or you can connect in whichever way you want.

You can find your own space where ever you take your fancy.

Some ideas in Thailand:

It might be in your local Park. In Bangkok, we are blessed with several park options I like Lumpini Park.

Or how about a trip out to Pa Nai Krung, Bangkok’s Forest in the City near to Suvarnabhumi airport? Pa Nai Krung: 8/6 Sukhaphiban 2 Rd, Bangkok . A short taxi ride from Ladkrabang Station on the Airport Rail Link.

LITTLE TREE GARDEN CAFE

These photos were taken at little Tree, which is of course loved by a little Wren

Little Tree Garden Cafe: 43 Moo 5 Banmai, Sapran, Nakhon Pathom, 73110

www.littletreegarden.com

If you’ve not been to Little Tree Garden Cafe you’re in for a treat. It is tucked away, just over an hours drive from Bangkok. Here you’ll find a beautiful countryside setting with some lovely Thai food & drinks and let’s give a special mention to the coffee and cake treats.

There is a bamboo grove and lots of quirky things to see including a load of crockery at Emily’s tearoom. I like it. It’s cute, it’s charming and if you’re all about the ‘gram, you’ll not be putting your camera away. Ever.

Let’s Go Forest Bathing!

Last August I used the venue to share the concept of Forest Bathing as part of a birthday treat for two very special friends here in Thailand. Us Gals are called Hats on Adventures so we did have a giggle when we found these hats there.

In the bamboo grove, overlooking the stream we had our own version of Forest Bathing. My instructions were pretty simple. Go find a tree that speaks to you! Reach out, re-energise and reset your batteries for the coming year. Happy Birthday!

And the sign says ‘here’s to love and laughter and happy ever after’ which is pretty much spot on what I was hoping for and what we found.

Thank you Little Tree Cafe for a lovely lunch.

Here’s to love and laughter and happily ever after!

Happy International Forest Day folks!

I hope where ever you are reading this in the world, you’ll take the chance to reflect on the wonder of our woodland and forests.

If you too need to escape the density of city life then perhaps consider some forest-bathing? It might just be a feel-good walk in a park, or go the whole way and enjoy a forest bathing experience.

Who cares if you get a funny look. Although, once the word gets out about this, we will all be forest bathing.  Enjoy!

Greetings to you all! This article was originally written for Expat Life In Thailand.  

If you enjoyed this post you might enjoy: Bluebells at Badbury Clump, Oxfordshire.