What is a nature bath (forest bathing)?

A slow, sensory-rich walk in a natural setting that reduces stress and restores focus by engaging sight, sound, smell, and touch.

How often should I take a nature walk?

Even 10–20 minutes outdoors, 3–5 days per week, can support mood, attention, and stress relief for most people.

Can I keep a nature practice in winter?

Yes. Try short 'micro-baths,' layer up, and bring nature indoors with plants, branches, sunlight, and herbal teas.

What herbs pair well with nature walks?

Chamomile for calm, Ginger for circulation, Peppermint for clarity, Mullein for breath support, and Cinnamon for warmth.

Is forest bathing safe for beginners?

Yes. Choose gentle terrain, go with a friend or group, and focus on slow breathing and sensory awareness.

What is a nature bath (forest bathing)?

A slow, sensory-rich walk in a natural setting to calm your nervous system and restore focus.

How often should I take a nature walk?

Even 10–20 minutes, 3–5 days per week, supports mood, focus, and stress relief.

Can I keep a nature practice in winter?

Yes—use short 'micro-baths,' layer well, and lean on window light, plants, and indoor sensory rituals.

What herbs pair well with nature walks?

Chamomile (calm), Ginger (circulation), Peppermint (clarity), Mullein (breath), Cinnamon (warmth).

Is forest bathing safe for beginners?

Yes. Choose easy paths, go with a friend or group, and focus on slow breathing and gentle attention.

🌿 Taking Your #DoseOfNature Year-Round: The Healing Power of Nature Walks & Baths

Dez (Desdemona Smith)
Oct 15
4 min read

Reconnect. Rebalance. Remember your roots — no matter the season.

By SolFlowers & Dez | Posted October 15, 2025

🌸 Nature Is Medicine — Every Season, Every Breath

At SolFlowers, we’ve seen time and again that nature heals. Before our final #DoseOfNature Nature Bath on October 19th, we’re celebrating what nature gives us — energy, calm, connection — and exploring ways to keep those benefits flowing through the colder months ahead.

A nature bath (also called forest bathing or shinrin-yoku) isn’t about hiking fast or logging miles — it’s about slowing down, breathing deeply, and letting the natural world re-tune your nervous system.

When you walk gently, listen intentionally, and breathe consciously, you give your body, mind, and spirit a reset that no screen or supplement can replace.

🍃 Why Nature Baths and Walks Boost Your Whole-Body Wellness

Modern research agrees with what our ancestors always knew: the outdoors is our original medicine cabinet. Here’s what regular time in nature does for you:

Reduces stress hormones and balances your nervous system
Lowers blood pressure & inflammation while boosting immune function
Improves focus and memory by resting the overworked mind
Elevates mood and reduces symptoms of anxiety or depression
Re-energizes your body while providing gentle movement and breathwork

When you combine movement with mindfulness, your #DoseOfNature becomes a form of holistic therapy — blending physical health, emotional balance, and spiritual grounding.

Black woman with afro in long coat with scarf playfully kicking around fall leaves on ground. The ground is covered with yellow leaves and there are tree trunks behind the woman, and a large house beyond the tree trunks.

🌞 Nature Through the Seasons: The Benefits Evolve, Just Like You

Each season brings unique medicine — new sounds, scents, colors, and lessons. Here’s how to stay tuned in all year long.

🌿 Spring – Renewal & Growth

Fresh blooms, soft rain, longer light. The air is charged with possibility.

Walk barefoot in safe grassy areas to re-ground.
Smell wild herbs like mint or dandelion — they cleanse both airways and spirit.
Journal about something new growing within you.

🌻 Summer – Vitality & Joy

The body craves movement and sunlight.

Rise early for sunrise meditation walks.
Take “tea baths” by bringing cooling herbs like peppermint or lemon balm in your thermos.
Swim, stretch, or simply nap beneath a tree.

🍁 Autumn – Release & Reflection

Nature teaches us to let go gracefully.

Walk among the colors; let each falling leaf remind you of something you’re ready to release.
Sip a grounding herbal blend like mullein, ginger, or calendula after your walk.
Capture one image of beauty daily — a leaf, a cloud, a pattern — to anchor gratitude.

❄️ Winter – Rest & Inner Nourishment

Even in stillness, nature breathes.

Bundle up and take “micro-baths” — 5-minute outdoor pauses to breathe crisp air.
Keep evergreen branches or herbal sachets indoors to stay connected to plant life.
Open your curtains, sip chamomile, sage, or cinnamon tea, and let sunlight find your face.

person wearing a winter coat and hat, riding a bicycle on a brick boardwalk by a body of water with autumn trees in the background and a snow capped mountain in the distance.

🔥 Keep Up Your #DoseOfNature in the Colder Months

Just because the temperature drops doesn’t mean your nature connection has to fade. Here’s how to stay consistent:

Set a daily “nature minute.” Step outside with your tea, breathe deeply, and feel your feet on the ground.
Bring nature indoors. Plants, wood elements, stones, seashells — each holds energy.
Layer up with intention. Comfort creates consistency. Keep gloves and a scarf ready near your door.
Pair nature with ritual. Listen to healing music, sip herbal tea, stretch by a window.
Track your nature moods. Journal your energy, sleep, or creativity after your outdoor time — it keeps you inspired.

on top of an open notebook that has written script are some herbs, dried flowers, and three glass containers with herbs.

🌿 Everyday Tools for Your Nature Practice

Travel-friendly holistic essentials for any season:

Herbal Teas: Chamomile for calm, Ginger for circulation, Peppermint for clarity.
Essential Oils: Eucalyptus for breath support, Lemongrass for focus.
Crystals & Stones: Green Aventurine or Moss Agate for grounding.
Pocket Journal: Record your sensations and reflections — one line is enough.

These items help anchor your nature experience whether you’re outdoors or indoors watching snow fall.

💫 Join Us for the Final #DoseOfNature of 2025

Our last Nature Bath of the season is October 19th, and we can’t wait to gather with our community to celebrate connection, reflection, and renewal.

Come breathe, walk, and simply be — surrounded by trees, sunlight, and each other.

RSVP NOW!

Let’s close this season with gratitude — and carry the rhythm of the earth into winter and beyond.

Remember: A few mindful breaths outside every day is still a nature bath.

With love,🌿 Dez & the SolFlowers Team

Check out other upcoming travel and events: SolFlowers.org/Events

Note: The #DoseofNature Nature Bath has three RSVP options to ensure everyone can access this guided experience in natural medicine and also support sustainability of community programming. Generally Nature/Forest Baths are marketed for $35-$90+, which is a barrier access for many. SolFlowers aims to empower healthy habits and accessibility to holistic and natural methods for all economic backgrounds.

FAQs:

What is a nature bath (forest bathing)? A slow, sensory-rich walk in a natural setting to calm your nervous system and restore focus.
How often should I take a nature walk? Even 10–20 minutes, 3–5 days per week, supports mood, focus, and stress relief.
Can I keep a nature practice in winter? Yes—use short “micro-baths,” layer well, and lean on window light, plants, and indoor sensory rituals.
What herbs pair well with nature walks? Chamomile (calm), Ginger (circulation), Peppermint (clarity), Mullein (breath), Cinnamon (warmth).
Is forest bathing safe for beginners? Yes. Choose easy paths, go with a friend or group, and focus on breathing and gentle attention.

About the Author & #DoseOfNature Nature Bath Series

Desdemona "Dez" Smith is Founder/Administrator of SolFlowers Holistic Apothecarium & Social Health Movement, career health care and business administrator, holistic wellness champion, creative and Renaissance Womxn. With a lifelong passion to become a healer and health practitioner, Dez started SolFlowers to address the various gaps in the US healthcare system that leave BIPOC, LGBTQI, Women and other marginalized populations further at a disadvantage in wellness and quality of life. It is their passion to bring about awareness of whole person wellness to effect changes in lifestyle that positively influence quality of life, healing processes and overall well being.

They are an aspiring master herbalist, naturopath, sex educator & coach and tantric practitioner. Dez is a graduate of Howard University where they earned a Bachelor's in Business Administration (Management), as well as took on pre-medical and pre-public health studies; and a graduate of The George Washington University, receiving their Masters in Health Services Administration: Management and Leadership.