Imagine being able to truly disconnect, breathe fresh air, and see your children running happily among the trees, reconnecting with nature and with yourselves. This is exactly what forest therapy can offer.
What is Forest Therapy?
Born in the 1980s in Japan with the name “Shinrin Yoku,” which literally means “forest bathing,” forest therapy is not simply walking among trees: it is a total immersion in nature, a sensory experience that involves sight, hearing, touch, and even smell.
You don’t need to go far or to pristine forests: even a park near home can become a relaxing refuge for the whole family. The goal? To reduce stress, anxiety, and fatigue, improve sleep quality, and feel more energetic and vital.
The Benefits of Forest Therapy
Science confirms what parents already know: spending time in nature is good for both adults and children. Among the main benefits:
- Lowering of blood pressure and reduction of stress hormones
- Less anxiety and fatigue, more serenity
- Better sleep for the whole family
- Increased vitality and good mood
Scientific studies show that even walks of 2 consecutive hours in a park or forest can generate immediate positive effects on psycho-physical well-being. In addition, for children, it means learning about nature, developing curiosity and respect for the environment.
Moreover, another recent scientific study demonstrated that forest environments reduce stress hormones, contributing to a greater sense of relaxation. People who participated in the study took walks of about two hours in a park for several consecutive Sundays. Blood pressure decreased, and other benefits were recorded, generating a positive development of psycho-physical well-being.
Forest Therapy and Responsible Tourism
Forest therapy is not just a moment of relaxation, but an opportunity to travel in an ethical and conscious way.
Choosing eco-friendly accommodations immersed in greenery and surrounded by trees means:
- Living an immersive experience without giving up comfort
- Contributing to environmental protection, respecting forests and natural spaces
- Educating children about sustainability
- Enjoying a vacation without anxiety and without having to plan a thousand details
You don’t need to seek extreme adventure: even a small village surrounded by greenery or an organic farm can transform into a regenerating refuge for the whole family.
Interesting research on forest bathing as a mindful tourism practice has also shown that forest therapy is not just relaxation: it allows us to discover the places we visit more consciously and to live a truly immersive experience.
Indeed, walking among trees, listening to the sounds of the forest, or pausing in an urban park puts us in direct contact with nature, helping us discover even those hidden green spaces in cities. Additionally, these places are not just beautiful to see: they help counteract extreme climate phenomena, promote biodiversity, and improve collective health, making every walk a small gesture of well-being for the entire community.
Where to Sleep Immersed in Nature
For a true forest therapy experience, choosing the right accommodation makes a difference.
For this, here are some eco-family-friendly ideas between Trentino Alto Adige, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Slovenia that combine comfort, sustainability, and fun for children.
1. Among Woods and the Dolomites: the Wellness Refuge of Naturhotel Rainer
In Ratschings, South Tyrol, Naturhotel Rainer welcomes families with larch wood rooms, natural cuisine, and a breathtaking view of the Veneto Dolomites. Actually, here every day becomes an opportunity to explore the woods, go on family hikes, and regenerate far from daily stress, with sustainability at the center of every detail.
2. A Garden of Experiences: the Organic Farm Settecentoalberi
In Noventa di Piave, among centuries-old trees and wide green spaces, Settecentoalberi offers children the freedom to play, participate in cooking workshops, and discover farm life. Moreover, the organic breakfast and comfortable rooms make this agriturismo a true paradise for families seeking nature, relaxation, and educational fun.
3. Between Rivers and Forests: the Alpine Magic of Pri Plajerju in Slovenia
In the heart of Triglav National Park, Organic Vacation Farm Pri Plajerju is an organic farm that allows children to live in contact with animals, vegetable gardens, and natural trails. Also, between walks along the Soča River, independent cottages, and a small alpine wellness center, families can immerse themselves in unspoiled nature and rediscover the pleasure of simplicity and discovery.
For sure, each stay thus becomes an educational and relaxing vacation, where parents and children can breathe, play, and regenerate together.
Conclusions
Forest therapy is not just a trend: it is a concrete way to reconnect with ourselves, with our children, and with the Planet.
In fact, through guided paths or free walks, the family discovers:
- The pleasure of moving outdoors without stress
- The value of responsible tourism that preserves biodiversity
- Moments of complicity and shared joy, far from chaos and technology
Forest therapy is good for our health and that of children, offering moments of relaxation, play, and discovery immersed in nature. Furthermore, it helps us protect biodiversity and ecosystems, teaching children respect for the earth.
Additionally, walking among trees helps us strengthen bonds — with ourselves, with family, and with those who share our love and respect for the Planet — transforming every walk in the greenery into an experience of well-being and connection.
As Arne Naess says: “We are the air we breathe, the food we eat, the environment we inhabit: we are nodes in the web of life’s interconnections.”
Cover Photo: CanvaPro Photo
Naturhotel Rainer ****S – Green Hotel in Ratschings, BZ, Trentino-Südtirol, IT 
Settecentoalberi – Green Farm house in Noventa di Piave, Venezia, Veneto, IT 
Organic Vacation Farm Pri Plajerju – Green Farm house in Trenta, Municipality of Bovec, Tolmin, SI 
