In a quiet pavilion at the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium in Fort Myers, the air hums with life. Bald eagles and red-shouldered hawks chatter from the aviary nearby. The buzz of insects mingles with the calming voice of Robin DeMattia, a certified forest bathing guide, leading a group of six on a journey to reconnect with nature.
While cultures worldwide have long recognized the healing power of nature, the modern practice of forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, was formalized in 1980s Japan as a response to urban stress and the rise of technology. Robin—who completed more than 200 hours with the nationally recognized Association of Nature and Forest Therapy—brings the meditative nature experience to Southwest Florida through her company Go Forest Bathing. Her monthly sessions, offered in outdoor locales from Sanibel to Marco Island, adapt the practice to the Gulf’s ecosystems, including the beach. “[Forest bathing] makes connecting with nature beneficial for people of all ages,” she says. “People often need help relaxing and experience profound positive effects when they do.”
The science backs her up. Studies show that spending intentional time in nature can lower stress, reduce blood pressure and boost the immune system. Scientists have found that when humans inhale the protective phytoncide compounds emitted by plants, it can help regulate emotions and blood pressure while boosting the production of natural killer (NK) cells—immune system defenders that attack abnormal cells, such as tumors. A study by Tokyo’s Nippon Medical School doctor Qing Li—the foremost authority on forest medicine—revealed that two hours of forest bathing can increase NK cell activity by up to 50% for as many as seven days. Myriad other studies dating back four decades show the positive link between exposure to nature and improved mental health, focus and creativity.
Robin’s sessions blend meditation, sensory exercises and mindful exploration. The experience begins with grounding techniques, like visualizing an imaginary color coursing through the body and rooting into the Earth. Then, participants might embark on a meditative stroll through nature trails, pausing to observe the world through various lenses: the tiny details revealed by a magnifying glass; the kinetic energy of moving plants and animals; the textures of palms, sticks and shells; the melodies created by materials foraged from the forest floor; nature’s artful composition as seen through an empty picture frame.
In the final moments, Robin invites attendees to create a collective environmental art piece using forest floor treasures gathered along the way. The sessions conclude with a ritual of gratitude—a sharing of tea, with the first cup poured onto the ground to honor the land.
As the golden afternoon light filters through slash pine branches, the practice’s appeal becomes clear: In an era of constant connectivity, these guided encounters with nature offer a rare chance to disconnect and recenter.