Come Sit with Me: A Gentle Introduction to Forest Therapy
By Ash & Pines Forest Mouse
Imagine this: you step into a quiet patch of woods. The air is cool and earthy. A bird calls out, not to you, but to the morning. You’re not here to hike, or to get somewhere. You’re just here. To be.
That’s Forest Therapy.
It’s not a trend or a wellness hack—it’s a remembering. A way of being with nature that’s slow, intentional, and deeply nourishing. It’s about letting the forest hold you, just as you are.
🌿 Why It Matters (Especially Now)
We live in a world that asks us to go faster, do more, be more. But the forest? It asks nothing. It simply offers.
Here’s what it can give:
1. Peace in Your Body
When you walk slowly among trees, your breath softens. Your heart steadies. Your nervous system, often on high alert, begins to trust the moment.
2. Clarity in Your Mind
Nature doesn’t shout. It whispers. And in that quiet, your thoughts untangle. You might not find answers, but you’ll find space.
3. Comfort in Your Heart
Whether you’re grieving, anxious, or just tired, the forest welcomes it all. It doesn’t fix you—it reminds you that you’re not broken.
4. Connection to Something Bigger
You’re not just walking through the woods. You’re walking through a living, breathing community. Trees, soil, fungi, birds—all part of a web you belong to.
🍃 How to Begin (No Fancy Gear Required)
You don’t need a perfect forest. A park, a garden, even a tree-lined street will do. What matters is how you show up.
Step 1: Pause Before You Enter
Take a breath. Notice how you feel. Whisper a quiet hello to the space around you.
Step 2: Walk Slowly
Let your feet move like they’re listening. No rush. No destination. Just curiosity.
Step 3: Use Your Senses
- What do you see? Light on leaves? A squirrel darting?
- What do you hear? Wind? Silence?
- What do you smell? Earth? Pine?
- What do you feel? Bark under your fingers? Sun on your skin?
Step 4: Find a Spot to Sit
Let yourself be still. Let the forest come to you. You don’t have to do anything. Just be.
Step 5: Say Thank You
Before you leave, offer a quiet thank you. To the trees. To the moment. To yourself.
🌼 A Few Gentle Tips
- Go Alone or With Someone Who Honors Silence
Forest Therapy is about presence, not conversation. - Leave Your Phone Behind (Or Turn It Off)
Let this be a time of true connection. - Return Often
The forest remembers you. Each visit deepens the relationship.
🌙 A Final Thought
You don’t have to be calm to enter the forest. You don’t have to be healed, or wise, or well. You just have to show up.
The trees will meet you there.
