Why is forest bathing therapy so popular among celebrities?

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Many celebrities, such as Princess Kate and actress Gwyneth Paltrow, choose to immerse themselves in nature, also known as forest bathing, as a health-restoring therapy.

Forest bathing therapy

"Don't forget to nurture everything that lies outside of illness," Princess Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, shared in a post earlier in 2025. The accompanying photo showed her standing under a willow tree in Windsor, looking up at the sky.

Kate also frequently posts photos of herself surrounded by nature and forest scenery, a practice that is becoming increasingly popular, inspired by a Japanese tradition called Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing.

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow seeks solace in nature (Photo: Elle).

Meanwhile, Oscar-winning actress and founder of the lifestyle brand Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow, strongly advocates for reconnecting with nature to combat what she calls "urban overload." This is her way of finding tranquility in a hyper-connected world .

It is this very need for disconnection that leads billionaire Bill Gates to disappear twice a year for his "Think Week." He retreats to a minimalist, secluded log cabin deep in a forest in the Pacific Northwest.

Here, isolated from the internet, daily meetings, and all digital distractions, he spends seven days reading manuscripts, studying scientific papers, and reflecting. For him, the forest is not an escape, but a "furnace" for creativity.

Dr. Tushar Tayal, consultant in Internal Medicine at Birla Hospital, Gurugram, explains that forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, is about spending quiet, focused time in a natural space, usually a forest. It's not about hiking or high-intensity physical activity; instead, it's about slowing down, activating your senses, and connecting with nature.

The health benefits of forest bathing have been scientifically proven.

The concept of forest bathing originated in Japan in the 1980s. The term was coined by Tomohide Akiyama, then Director of the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. This method encourages individuals to immerse themselves in the forest environment to improve overall health.

The concept of healing through nature has much deeper roots in Japanese culture. Spiritual traditions such as Shugendo, practiced by ascetic monks in the mountains, have emphasized the sacredness of nature.

According to the Telegraph , this method combines mindfulness and meditation while immersing oneself in nature. Scientists suggest that being in harmony with nature improves mood, lowers blood pressure, and even – according to some studies – increases our immunity to various diseases, including cancer.

Exercising and spending time in nature daily helps improve health (Photo: TT).

Dr. Tayal added that this method is becoming increasingly popular globally, and scientific studies are increasingly supporting its positive effects on physical and mental health.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of this method.

A meta-analysis of 28 studies, published in the journal Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, showed that exposure to forest environments significantly lowered blood pressure, reduced levels of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, and alleviated symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Further research has begun to shed light on the biological mechanisms behind these benefits. One of the most important discoveries relates to phytoncides, volatile organic compounds secreted by plants to protect themselves from pests and diseases.

Dr. Qing Li of Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, Japan, has shown that inhaling these compounds can lead to a marked increase in the number and activity of natural killer (NK) cells in the body. These are a type of white blood cell that forms a crucial part of the immune system's first line of defense against viruses and tumor formation.

A randomized controlled trial of healthcare workers, published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, demonstrated that a 3-hour guided forest bath significantly reduced occupational burnout and emotional fatigue, while improving mood.

This suggests that nature can serve as a powerful mental health intervention without the need for medication.

A study focusing on high school students, published in the journal Ecopsychology, also showed that after just three forest bathing sessions over three weeks, their sense of connection with nature, gratitude, and pro-environmental attitudes all increased significantly.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/vi-sao-lieu-phap-tam-rung-duoc-nhieu-nguoi-noi-tieng-ua-chuong-20251021105223248.htm