If you haven’t yet, now’s the time to care for both your inner and outer world. What you need isn’t another scroll through your phone, it’s the soft rustle of neem leaves in the breeze, sunlight cutting through a patch of bamboo, and birds that sound like they’re singing just for you.
Wellness today has many names and forms, one such is connecting with the nature. Forest bathing, the Japanese-inspired practice of being mindfully present in nature, is gaining popularity as a form of natural therapy. But for those curious enough to go one step further, there’s also the curious trend of land snorkelling, where you take a slow walk with your eyes looking down, paying close attention to the smallest forms of life.
Originally known as Shinrin-yoku in Japan, forest bathing isn’t about step counts or speed. “It’s about soaking in nature through all your senses,” says Ashutosh Goyal, Director of Ananta Hotels and Resorts, which runs a nature-immersive retreat in Ajabgarh, Rajasthan, nestled deep within the Aravalli hills. “In the Aravalli foothills, where dry forests meet fragrant herbs and birdlife thrives, nature becomes your co-therapist,” he says.
Also read | Benefits of Shinrin-yoku: Forest bathing, a natural way to lower stress, boost immunity, more
Nature here doesn't rush you. “People come with a noisy mind and leave with quiet clarity. Forest bathing doesn’t offer instant miracles. What it offers is presence. A chance to observe, inhale, feel, and just be,” says Goyal.
Then there is land snorkelling. “Land snorkelling is what happens when adults let curiosity win,” smiles Goyal. “You walk slowly, with your gaze close to the ground, and simply observe. Insects, stones, fallen leaves, it’s a childlike way of reconnecting with the micro-world most of us either overlook or barely get to see in our day-to-day life,” he says.
While forest bathing is about soaking in the sights, sounds and calm of nature around you, land snorkelling is more playful, walking slowly while looking closely at the ground to notice tiny details like bugs, leaves and soil patterns. “One is a wide view, the other a close-up,” he shares.
Much like forest bathing, land snorkelling is about noticing. “You begin to see just how alive nature is. It’s a grounding, sensory experience that feels both strange and beautiful,” Goyal says.
Also read | 10 health benefits of Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing therapy
Here are tips, suggested by Goyal, on how forest bathing in the Aravallis rewires your system:
- Breathe with the trees: Tree oils and compounds like phytoncides help reduce stress hormones. Inhaling deeply in forested areas can lower blood pressure and help rebalance the nervous system.
- Let birdsong guide your brain: From doves and drongos to bulbuls and peacocks, local birds form an acoustic ecosystem. Research shows birdsong can improve mood and attention span.
- Feel your feet. Wake up your body: Walking barefoot on grass, stone or soil stimulates pressure points and reduces inflammation. In the quiet paths, each step is intentional and sensory.
- Stretch gently. Think clearly: Practising slow yoga or breathwork in tree-covered spaces or in water (aqua-yoga) can deepen lung function and encourage a feeling of groundedness. It’s not a workout, it’s a return to centre.
- Smell what’s wild. Remember what’s real: The Aravallis are dotted with fragrant shrubs like wild lemongrass, basil and vetiver. These natural aromas help unlock memory and promote emotional calm.
- Notice silence. It’s rare: True quiet is healing. In a space without traffic or chatter, the brain switches from stress to repair. Thoughts slow, clarity rises.
- Reconnect with rhythm. Take some rest: Natural daylight, sunset rituals and time in the wild set your internal clock. Many forest bathers report better sleep and less anxiety even days after.
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