This morning, I went for a walk in the woods. The ground was soft from the night’s rain, and the scent of wet leaves filled the air. The trees presented themselves in all colours from green to yellow, orange and red, as if they were putting on a gentle fashion show before me. As I walked, my shoes brushed through golden and rust-coloured layers of leaves, releasing that unmistakable autumn fragrance — earthy, rich, and alive. The cool air on my face felt refreshing, and with each breath, my mind grew quieter.
There is something deeply grounding about walking among trees. The simple rhythm of steps, breath, and birdsong slows the nervous system and invites the body to remember its natural pace — calm, steady, present.
Nature as medicine
Science increasingly confirms what we intuitively feel after time in nature: it recharges us — both physiologically and mentally.
Research shows that even 20 minutes in a forest can lower cortisol levels, reduce blood pressure, and activate the parasympathetic nervous system — the body’s rest-and-restore mode. Walking outdoors also stimulates the release of endorphins — our brain’s natural “feel-good” chemicals — which lift mood, ease anxiety, and restore a sense of vitality.
In short, nature resets us. The combination of gentle movement, daylight, and fresh air allows the mind to clear and the body to recover from the constant stimulation of modern life.
Walking in the woods is, in a way, a practice of coming home — to our body, to the earth, and to our natural capacity for calm and clarity. Among trees, the noise of daily life fades, and what remains is simplicity: breath, movement, beauty.
The art of forest bathing
The Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” offers a beautiful reminder that we don’t need to do anything to feel well — we simply need to be present. It’s not hiking or exercise, but rather an invitation to open the senses and absorb the forest through sight, sound, touch, and smell.
As you slow down, you begin to notice subtleties you might have missed before: the pattern of veins on a leaf, the gentle movement of branches in the wind, the echo of your breath mingling with birdsong. Your attention softens, and with it, your nervous system begins to settle.
Over time, this simple presence cultivates something profound — a quiet joy that arises not from thinking, but from feeling alive in the moment.
Bringing forest moments into daily life
You don’t need a big forest to experience these benefits. Even a short walk in a local park or under a canopy of trees can have a profound impact on your mood and clarity.
Try this simple practice:
- Leave your phone in your pocket or -even better- at home.
- Walk slowly and notice what’s around you.
- Pay attention to your senses — the air on your skin, the texture of the path, the light shifting through the leaves.
- Take a few conscious breaths and simply arrive.
A small step toward balance
As we head into autumn, nature itself invites us to slow down and let go — just as the trees release their leaves. A mindful walk outdoors can be a powerful reminder that stillness and renewal are always available, one step at a time.
At Brussels Mindfulness, we occasionally bring this experience into our work with individuals and teams — guiding mindful walks in nature to reconnect with stillness, creativity, and presence. The forest becomes not a backdrop, but a teacher. Explore our workshops here.
When we enter the woods, we realise that inner calm isn’t something to find — it’s something we return to, here in this moment.
When was the last time you let yourself be restored by the quiet of the woods?
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