Forest Health Training
What is forest health training?
Forest health training, more commonly known as "forest bathing", originated in Japan, where it is called Shinrin-Yoku – and it has nothing to do with bathing in the usual sense. Rather, it means spending time in the forest mindfully, combined with various relaxation and mindfulness exercises. The natural health effects of the forest are enhanced by health-promoting and preventive activities such as guided mindfulness training with a variety of sensory exercises.
Why forest health training?
Various scientific studies have now shown that it has positive effects on our health.
Proven effects of spending time in the forest include:
- Relief for the respiratory tract, with a resulting improvement in respiratory diseases (asthma, COPD), thanks to the high air quality and absence of air pollutants in the forest
- Regulation of blood pressure and a lower heart rate through slowing down and reducing stress
- Stronger cardiovascular health through light to moderate exercise combined with stress reduction
- Better sleep quality and longer sleep
- A mood-lifting effect, and with it an improvement in depression and anxiety
- Improved attention, concentration and creativity (e.g. to reduce ADHD symptoms)
In short: the forest does you good – the forest heals – the forest strengthens – the forest relieves – the forest works wonders!
The Forest & Health project
Bad Weißenstadt is one of the 15 pilot locations that took part in the “Forest & Health” project, launched in 2019 by the Bavarian Spa Association (Bayerischer Heilbäder-Verband).
The project partner is the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs. It was led by Prof. Dr. Dr. Angela Schuh of the Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research (IBE) at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU). As part of the project, spa and healing forests were developed, forest health trainers and therapists were trained, and individual prevention, therapy and rehabilitation programmes linked to the forest were developed, tailored to each location. At the close of the project on 18 July 2022, Bad Weißenstadt received the award of certified spa forest.
The project is regarded as a pioneering innovation in health tourism.
Forest health training in Bad Weißenstadt am See
The extensive forests around Bad Weißenstadt are ideal for immersing yourself deeply in the atmosphere of the forest, engaging all five senses. It is not about hiking, jogging, looking for mushrooms or identifying plants, but about being mindful of yourself and your surroundings, finding peace and taking time for your own well-being.
Forest health training, also known as forest bathing, combines various relaxation exercises with movement and mindful perception . Its beneficial effect on body, mind and soul is not only something participants can feel – it has now also been scientifically proven.
Find
peace
in the forest
Enjoy
forest health
with professional guidance
Learn
mindfulness
for yourself and your surroundings
Forest bathing in the Healthy Fichtel Mountains
You can enjoy the atmosphere of the forest not only in Bad Weißenstadt but also in Bad Alexandersbad, Bad Berneck and Bischofsgrün. These health resorts regularly offer forest health training on various dates.
Go forest bathing in the glorious nature of the Fichtel Mountains and experience four varied forests under the guidance of professional trainers, each with their own training focus!
Meet our forest health trainers

Nathalie Elitzer, Bad Weißenstadt am See
In the forest I feel part of nature, and I would love to pass on this sense of connection. In my forest health training I focus especially on each participant’s individual perception and combine light breathing exercises with gentle movement. As a certified wild herb guide, I am passionate about edible wild plants, which is why we also taste the odd wild herb or two in the forest.
Forest health trainer
certified wild herb guide

Diana Zäza, Bad Weißenstadt am See
I love nature and its treasures, especially the spruce forests and the granite rock formations. I find it fascinating that beneath the ground around Bad Weißenstadt lie the health-promoting noble gas radon and thermal water containing sulphur and fluoride. In my job as concierge at the Siebenquell GesundZeitResort, I can introduce guests to forest health training and all its health benefits. It is lovely to see how the relaxation shows not only in the participants’ faces but also in a stress-level measurement (HRV measurement), which we can carry out before and after the forest health training. Forest health training is a very special experience at any time of year.
Forest health trainer at the Siebenquell GesundZeitResort

Christina Webhofer, Bad Weißenstadt am See
Both at work and in our free time, our lives are dominated by stress, hustle and bustle and time pressure. This can lead to chronic illnesses. It has been shown that the forest climate has a balancing, calming and stress-reducing effect on the demands we face. Not only people of working age but also children and older people benefit from these positive effects. The healing process after serious illness is also positively influenced. I would like to give guests of the Kurzentrum Bad Weißenstadt the opportunity to unwind in the beautiful surroundings of the Fichtel Mountains, to open themselves up to “forest therapy” and to recharge their batteries.
Forest health trainer & forest therapist at the Kurzentrum Bad Weißenstadt am See

Annette Taubenreuther, Bad Weißenstadt am See
Since 2020 I have also been a certified course leader for forest bathing and mindfulness in the forest. Seeing nature and the forest from a new and different perspective while rediscovering myself at the same time – getting to know my senses and using them consciously, while practising “letting go”: that is what fascinated me about forest bathing!
I completed my in-depth training at the “Deutsche Akademie für Waldbaden und Gesundheit” (German Academy for Forest Bathing and Health). There I gained comprehensive knowledge of Shinrin Yoku (immersing yourself in the atmosphere of nature and the forest) and learnt wonderful exercises that make us mindful of nature and of ourselves.
Forest health trainer in Bad Weißenstadt & Geopark ranger

Andreas Büttner, Bad Berneck
Forest health training is one of the most effective and most enjoyable ways of reaching a state of inner calm and serenity.
Until now my courses have mostly been attended by women. But, gentlemen: aren’t you often completely stressed and overworked too? The courses in the forest are an alternative to the beer garden, tennis and so on. I am a relaxation trainer, meditation teacher, specialist adviser on high sensitivity and forest health trainer. We move in the forest too – just more calmly and mindfully. At the same time, we sharpen our awareness of the forest and nature as the natural foundation of our lives. Relaxation and environmental awareness – isn’t that something for you?
Forest health trainer in Bad Berneck

Dunja Höpflinger
I live and work in Höchstädt im Fichtelgebirge as a craftswoman and as a leader of meditative and therapeutic dance. In 2020 I trained as a forest health trainer with the Kneipp-Ärztebund (Kneipp Physicians’ Association).
Even as a little girl, I was often allowed to go into the forest with my great-grandmother Rosa. She passed on to me her love of and respect for the forest. When I go into the forest today, I can leave the busy everyday world behind for a while. I can find peace, and my thoughts are free to come and go. Nature outside has a healing and harmonising effect on the nature within me. I can feel that I am part of a greater whole.
Forest health trainer in Bad Alexandersbad

Elke Seidel, Bad Alexandersbad
I grew up surrounded by nature at the foot of the Kornberg and always love exercising, doing sport and going hiking in the fresh air. I am happy to offer forest health training to local residents and tourists alike, as well as to companies and organisations as a team-building activity. For me, the forest is a place to pause and linger. There I find relaxation and peace, so that I can shut out the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a while and recharge my energy. What makes forest health training special is immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the forest and consciously experiencing and perceiving it intensely with all your senses.
Forest health trainer in Bad Alexandersbad

Gabi Wenz, Bad Berneck
After many years as a self-employed biologist in nature conservation and as a secondary school teacher, I feel a real need to bring the uniqueness, beauty and positive power of nature closer to other people. As my children grew up, I focused on combining biology, education and wilderness knowledge. The fascinating realm of nature around us and within us is taking up an ever larger place in my work. In forest health training, alongside relaxation, enjoyment and physical recuperation, my focus is on learning to “feel at home” outdoors too.
Forest health trainer in Bad Berneck
Your health holiday in Bad Weißenstadt
Slow down at the Weißenstädter See
Experience forest health and relaxation training during your stay at the Siebenquell GesundZeitResort, with its four-star superior hotel, thermal baths and spa! The package offers you an all-round programme for slowing down and reducing stress.



Workplace health promotion
Prevention and health promotion in the workplace: with the health experts at the Siebenquell GesundZeitResort, experience relaxation and forest health training as part of a tailored programme for companies.


Clear your head!
Relaxation and stress management with the help of the forest: tackle headaches with a sustainable therapy programme at the Kurzentrum Bad Weißenstadt am See. The four-star health hotel right on the shore of the Weißenstädter See gives you the chance to spend your holiday in nature while doing something good for your health.
The smell of earth, plants and mushrooms
It is often the little things that escape our attention.
listening to the sounds of the forest
