There is something that happens when we step into a forest. Almost without noticing, we begin to breathe more slowly. Our voices become quieter. We walk at a gentler pace. We stop checking the time.
It is such a natural response that, for many years, it went largely unnoticed. Today, numerous scientific studies have explored its benefits, and it even has a name: shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, a practice that originated in Japan and involves consciously immersing yourself in a forest environment. Forest bathing encourages a deeper connection with nature while supporting both physical and mental wellbeing.
Far from being a passing trend, forest bathing has become one of the leading movements in wellness tourism. Few places in Europe offer such exceptional conditions for experiencing it as Garajonay National Park, home to one of the best-preserved laurel forests in the world.
If you are looking for a holiday that genuinely helps you switch off from stress, sleep more soundly and restore your energy, walking through these ancient forests could become one of the most transformative experiences of your trip. Hotel Jardín Tecina is the perfect base from which to discover this extraordinary natural heritage.
What Is Forest Bathing and Why Is Everyone Talking About Shinrin-yoku?
The term shinrin-yoku was introduced in Japan during the 1980s as a way of helping people cope with the stress associated with modern urban life. Literally translated as “forest bathing”, it does not involve bathing in water, but rather allowing the forest to surround you while engaging all of your senses.
It is not about hiking quickly or reaching a sporting goal.
Instead, it means walking slowly, breathing deeply, listening to the wind through the trees, watching the sunlight filter through the canopy, touching the bark of a tree or simply spending a few peaceful minutes in silence.
The aim is to slow down.
In a world dominated by constant connectivity and digital distractions, the forest encourages us to reconnect with a calmer, more mindful way of experiencing our surroundings.
The Science Behind Forest Bathing
A growing body of scientific research suggests that spending time in natural environments is associated with measurable health and wellbeing benefits.
Among the most widely reported are:
- Reduced cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress.
- Lower blood pressure and heart rate.
- Improved sleep quality.
- Better concentration.
- Reduced mental fatigue.
- An improved mood and greater overall sense of wellbeing.
Some studies also suggest that certain natural compounds released by trees, known as phytoncides, may help support the immune system while promoting relaxation.
Forest bathing is increasingly recognised as a natural approach to relaxation and stress reduction, complementing other healthy lifestyle habits. For this reason, increasing numbers of health professionals consider time spent in nature to be a valuable complement to reducing everyday stress and enhancing overall wellbeing.
The Laurel Forest of Garajonay: A Woodland That Time Forgot
Practising forest bathing in any natural setting can be beneficial. Experiencing it in Garajonay National Park makes it truly exceptional.
The laurel forest covering much of the park is a subtropical ecosystem that has remained remarkably similar to the forests that once covered large parts of Europe millions of years ago, before the Ice Ages.
Walking along its trails feels like stepping into another era. Moss-covered trees, constant humidity, mist drifting through the canopy and remarkable silence create an atmosphere that feels almost magical.
This is not a landscape of sweeping open views. Its greatest appeal lies in the feeling of complete immersion.
The forest surrounds you completely.
With every step, this forest bathing experience encourages you to slow down and notice the small details that usually pass unnoticed.
Five Reasons to Experience Forest Bathing in Garajonay
Every forest has its own character, but the laurel forest of La Gomera offers particularly favourable conditions for wellbeing.
1. Natural Sounds Help Calm the Mind
The rustling of leaves, birdsong and the wind replace traffic, notifications and the constant noise of daily life.
Our brains naturally interpret these sounds as signals of calm and safety.
2. The Humidity Creates a Comfortable Environment
The famous horizontal rain that nourishes Garajonay helps maintain a cool, refreshing atmosphere throughout much of the year, making walking especially pleasant even during the warmest months.
3. Green Landscapes Encourage Relaxation
Numerous studies have linked prolonged exposure to natural green landscapes with reduced visual fatigue and an increased sense of calm.
4. Gentle Exercise Comes Naturally
A leisurely walk through the laurel forest improves circulation, activates the muscles and stimulates the release of endorphins without requiring intense physical effort.
5. True Silence Helps You Switch Off
Along many of Garajonay’s trails, the only sounds you will hear are those of nature.
Today, that has become a genuine luxury.
How to Practise Forest Bathing During Your Holiday
There is no right or wrong way to experience forest bathing. What matters is not how far you walk, but the mindset with which you approach the experience.
A few simple suggestions:
- Put your mobile phone on silent or switch it to flight mode.
- Walk slowly, without a particular destination in mind.
- Pause regularly to take several deep breaths.
- Observe the many shades of green around you.
- Listen to the sounds of the forest without trying to identify them.
- Take time to stop and admire the scenery.
- Resist the temptation to photograph every moment.
From Forest to Wellbeing: Extend the Experience at Hotel Jardín Tecina
The feeling of wellbeing does not end when you leave Garajonay.
Back at Hotel Jardín Tecina, nature continues to be part of the experience. Surrounded by more than 70,000 square metres of subtropical gardens, with uninterrupted Atlantic views and an atmosphere of complete tranquillity, the hotel allows you to extend the same sense of calm you experienced while walking through the laurel forest.
Your wellbeing journey can continue with experiences designed to nurture both body and mind:
- Strolling through subtropical gardens overlooking the Atlantic.
- Relaxing beside outdoor swimming pools surrounded by lush vegetation.
- Unwinding at Spa Ahemon after a day exploring Garajonay.
- Playing golf in a spectacular clifftop setting overlooking the ocean.
- Discover Canarian cuisine made with fresh, locally sourced produce from the Eco Finca.
- Enjoying easy access to some of the island’s finest walking trails.
Together, these experiences transform your stay into far more than a holiday — they become an opportunity to restore both physical and mental balance.
Wellness Tourism: A Different Way to Travel
Increasingly, travellers are looking for more than simply visiting a destination. They want to return home feeling better than when they arrived.
That is precisely what wellness tourism is all about. Rather than filling every day with activities, it focuses on experiences that encourage relaxation, improve rest and help us reconnect with ourselves.
In this respect, La Gomera has become one of the Canary Islands’ leading wellness destinations, thanks to its protected natural landscapes, slower pace of life and the extraordinary ecological richness of Garajonay National Park.
Let Nature Become the Best Memory of Your Holiday
Sometimes we do not need to do more.
We simply need to pause.
To breathe more deeply.
To listen to the forest.
To rediscover the pleasure of walking without rushing.
In La Gomera, forest bathing in the laurel forest offers exactly that: a place where wellbeing grows naturally from the landscape itself. From Hotel Jardín Tecina, you can discover one of Europe’s most extraordinary forests and turn that feeling of calm into the most lasting memory of your holiday.
Because the best holidays are not always those in which we do the most. Sometimes they are the ones that achieve something far more valuable: helping us feel like ourselves again.
