From forest bathing to earthing: 5 wellness trends that are actually improving health

According to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, forest bathing can increase natural killer cells, which may help strengthen the body’s defence system and have preventive effects against cancer. It also helps reduce blood pressure and heart rate, contributing to the prevention of hypertension and heart-related diseases.


Wild swimming is a growing wellness trend among Gen Z that involves swimming in natural water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and seas. Unlike regular swimming in pools, wild swimming allows people to feel more connected to nature, creating a sense of calm and relaxation away from busy urban life.

Many participants describe the experience as both mentally refreshing and emotionally healing. According to research conducted by the University of Glasgow and the University of Stirling, wild swimming can help improve mental health by reducing stress and depression. It also enhances physical fitness through cardiovascular conditioning and may help stimulate the immune system.

We have often heard about how wild swimming helps relax the mind because we are physically in the water. But even simply being around water, watching the waves of the sea or listening to the calming sounds of rivers and oceans, can positively affect mental health.


Marine biologist Dr Wallace Nichols introduced the concept of “Blue Mind,” which explores how being near water can improve emotional well-being. In his 2014 book, Blue Mind: How Water Makes You Happier, More Connected and Better at What You Do, he explains the deep psychological connection between humans and water.

The Blue Mind theory suggests that being near water, listening to it, or simply watching it can create a calmer mental state and improve mood. The trend is becoming increasingly popular among Gen Z, many of whom prefer spending time on beaches or near lakes to emotionally recharge and escape the stress of fast-paced digital life.

Earthing, also known as grounding, is a wellness trend where walking barefoot on the grass, soil, sand or natural surfaces reconnects with nature. This therapy is said to be using earthing science and grounding physics to show how the electrical charges from the earth could have positive effects on the body. The practice is believed to help emotional and physical well-being by allowing the body to absorb the Earth’s natural energy. For youngsters, earthing has become a simple wellness routine in everyday life, from getting away from the hustle and bustle of modern lifestyles.

These wellness practices are creating a positive impact on both mental and physical health. Their effects may not always be immediately visible, but in the long run, they help people feel calmer, lighter, and less burdened by everyday stress and responsibilities.


After getting scolded by your boss for being slow, spending hours stuck in traffic, or struggling to find a cab after work, sometimes all a person needs is a quiet walk in the garden barefoot. Feeling the cold, wet grass under your feet and the soil touching your skin can instantly make the mind feel lighter and more peaceful. In this fast-moving world, these simple connections with nature are becoming a source of genuine healing for many young people.