Irene Rowland explores why immersion in nature is essential to our mental and physical wellbeing—see her recorded presentation.
Irene Rowland at COSF’s Native Plantpalooza & Eco Fest in 2025.
Irene Rowland, certified forest therapy guide and founder of Forest Needle Wellness, advised attendees to literally hug a tree during her March 4 presentation “Forest Bathing and Healing Landscapes: A Guide to Mindful Nature Connection.” Scroll to the bottom of this page to view the recording of her presentation.
An expert in the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku—”forest bathing”—Rowland explains that the objective of shinrin-yoku’s immersive experience is to “bathe” all five senses in the landscape, thus calming the mind and central nervous system. “There’s so much stimulation in our current environment it can be overwhelming,” says Rowland.
To slow down and cultivate mindfulness, a forest bather might “taste” their surroundings by drawing in the fragrance of sagebrush through pursed lips, while listening to the birdsong, feeling the breeze and seeing the green landscape.
Those are just the fundamental five senses; Rowland notes that there are many others, including proprioception and interoception. These relate to perceiving our relationship to our surroundings and to our own internal energy and are also important to recognize and observe.
The benefits of a regular practice, says Rowland, include lower blood and pressure cortisol (“stress hormone”) levels, decreased systemic inflammation and, of course, improved mood.
In addition to being a certified forest therapy guide, Rowland is a Asian Medicine practitioner. She is a licensed acupuncturist as well.
Rowland was the first presenter of 2026 in COSF’s popular quarterly Speaker Series. This year, the theme is “Close to Nature” and will focus on the connection between nature and mental wellbeing.
Resources
The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier and More Creative (Florence Williams)
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