Forest Bathing Explained: Benefits & Science Behind Shinrin-Yoku with Susan Joachim

This episode is about Forest Bathing and Indigenous Wisdom with Sri Lankan guest and Forest Bathing expert Susan Joachim. We explore the benefits of forest bathing with Susan who is living in Australia and is the president and founding member of the International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance. INFTA). 

The episode covers the history and science behind forest bathing, its origins in Japan, and its benefits for mental and physical wellbeing. Science has finally caught up with what indigenous people have know for eons. Trees and nature and our planet are healers, and in fact the very act of forest bathing can activate cells in our body whose sole purpose is to kill disease. In some parts of the world, Governments are recognising this simple way of staying healthy 

The conversation delves into how urbanisation is leading to biodiversity loss and the necessity for sustainable urban planning in Sri Lanka. Susan envisions a future where forest therapy becomes an integral part of public health and wellness tourism in Sri Lanka.

00:00 Welcome to Sri Lanka: Modern Perspectives

00:40 Introduction to Forest Bathing

00:54 Guest Introduction: Susan Yoko

01:05 Indigenous Wisdom and Scientific Research

03:36 The Concept of Six Seasons

06:12 Similarities Between Aboriginal and Sri Lankan Traditions

10:36 The Importance of Biophilia

15:20 The Birth of Forest Bathing in Japan

19:47 The Healing Power of Nature

26:36 Urbanization and Biodiversity in Sri Lanka

31:07 International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance

39:50 Empowering Women Through Education

41:53 Final Thoughts

About Susan Joachim

Susan V. Joachim is the President and Founding Member of the International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance (INFTA) as well as a Founding Member of INFTA (Germany). The focus of this role is fostering and promoting Nature and Forest Therapy as a preventive and therapeutic public health practice. In this role, Susan draws on over 20 years of professional and international career experience in human resources development, education, women’s empowerment, and lifelong learning.

As the President of INFTA, she promotes Forest Therapy as an affordable and accessible practice to address preventable lifestyle diseases and increasing anxiety and mental health illnesses. Susan also advocates for Forest Therapy to be made available in suitable urban parks to alleviate feelings of loneliness, foster community well-being, and encourage pro-environmental behaviours. 

Susan is a Chartered Secretary and Associate Member of The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland. She commands extensive work experience in professional roles at international organisations such as USAID and GIZ and can draw on her wide network of key stakeholders and organisations in Australia, as well as stakeholders, researchers, and government representatives abroad, particularly in Germany, the USA, Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, and Sri Lanka.

Dee Gibson is the award winning designer and founder of boutique hotel Kalukanda House in Sri Lanka, www.kalukandahouse.com ~ Conde Nast Best Places to Visit in Asia 2024 & HIP Hotels Best Hotels 2025. You can follow on
instagram @deegibson2017 or @kalukandahouse

This podcast lifts the veil on what, and more importantly WHO this island is with conversations about all the things you never read about in the travel pages. Dee showcases a fascinating modern society reclaiming their identity and taking ownership of their narratives on the global stage. No subject is taboo so expect guests talking about everything from activism through art and yoga, why sari was modified by British colonisers, a performance on love and lust to episodes on forgotten heroines being narrated back into our history books and much more.