Forest Therapy vs. Hiking: Understanding the Difference Between Doing and Being in Nature

The difference between doing and being = difference between hiking and forest therapy.

One question I often get as a forest therapy guide is: what is the difference between hiking and forest therapy (sometimes called forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku)? It’s a great question because most people assume the two are the same. True enough, in most cases, you can enjoy a day hike for the cost of maybe parking and the snacks you brought with you. But there is a big difference between the two experiences.

Hiking is about doing, while forest therapy is about being. When we go for a hike, we usually aim to get from point A to point B, measured by pace, distance, and elevation, which mimics how most of us operate in our day to day. Societal norms champion the achievers, the ones that don’t waste time, and the most productive are celebrated. This constant push to do and chase happiness externally can lead to burnout, depression, and emptiness inside. We may find ourselves so focused on getting to point B, we forget to enjoy the stillness, silence, and freshness that nature has to offer in the here and now. 

To live in the present moment is a miracle. The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh once quipped: “"To live in the present moment is a miracle. The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now." This is the aim of Forest Therapy. In this sense, mindfulness in nature is at the heart of forest therapy.

How Forest Therapy Deepens Your Connection with Nature

Forest Therapy invites you to slow down and "just be" with nature.

Forest therapy invites us to “just be.” There’s nowhere to go and no need to hurry. A certified guide will gently show us how to shift from goal-oriented movement to sensorial awareness. You might examine the different tones and melodies in the birdsong, feel the grooves on the trunk of a tree as you trace it with your fingertips, have a deep conversation with an ancient rock, or allow the embrace of the wind uplift you. Going slow and honoring silence are not frowned upon – they ARE the practice.

The benefits of forest therapy often go beyond exercise — they help restore presence and reduce stress. Many report a sense of awe, a renewed sense of self, a deeper connection with their intuition, or a shift in perspective about our place with nature. It’s not about an escape, but a return to ancestral and indigenous wisdoms that understood that we are a part of nature, not separate.

On your next day outdoors, try slow hiking and weaving in some forest therapy practices into it. Go at a relaxed pace, pause to listen, allow your intuition to lead you. What do you notice? Maybe it’s a side of nature that you may not have noticed before -- or a side of yourself you’ve been longing to reconnect with.

If you’re curious to experience forest therapy in Hong Kong or want to bring mindfulness in nature into your daily life, reach out to learn more about upcoming guided forest therapy walks. Here’s your invitation to slow down, breathe, connect, and just be.