Forest Bathing: Winter Solstice Renewal

Join us December 21, the Winter Solstice, for a peaceful 1.5-hour forest bathing session.

Forest bathing, or Shinrin Yoku, is a Japanese practice that invites you to immerse yourself in nature with mindfulness, slowing down to connect with the sights, sounds and smells of the natural world.

During this session, we’ll guide you on a mindful walk through the winter landscape of the cemetery, encouraging you to embrace the stillness of the season and reconnect with nature. There’s no rush—just time to breathe, be present and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Forest bathing helps reduce stress, enhance mood and promote relaxation by lowering cortisol levels, decreasing blood pressure and boosting the immune system.

In addition to its physical benefits, forest bathing fosters mental clarity and emotional calm. It offers an opportunity to step away from daily life and reconnect with your inner self. The gentle pace of the experience makes it accessible to all fitness levels.

Our guide is a certified Nature and Forest Therapy guide with over 15 years of experience in community mental health in Milwaukee in addition to previous work in outdoor recreational therapy. Anne brings a compassionate, mindful approach to helping you connect with nature.

Important information:

• This tour is entirely outdoors, so please dress for the winter weather - wear layers, hats, gloves and sturdy, waterproof shoes.
  
• This tour will only be canceled if there is ice along the route; in this case, we will email you that morning. Tickets are non-refundable but we will try to reschedule a makeup date.
  
• Please do not park in front of the office (those spots are reserved for funerals and cemetery business). You may park anywhere in the cemetery along the side of the road, including near and behind the chapel.
  
• Proceeds from all tours and events help preserve and enhance the historical and natural elements of the cemetery.
  
• If you enjoy your tour, please tell your friends - or take a moment to leave a review on Google reviews or TripAdvisor.

About Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum

Established in 1850, Forest Home Cemetery is Milwaukee’s oldest-operating cemetery, open to people of all faiths, races and backgrounds since its inception. Forest Home Cemetery is on the National Registry of Historic Places and is the finest example of a Victorian-era rural garden cemetery in the Upper Midwest

Milwaukee’s largest green space with more 2,600 trees on nearly 200 acres, Forest Home is the city’s first accredited arboretum and is open daily to the public from dawn to dusk. Leashed dogs, jogging, strollers and bicycles are welcome.

Each year, we host public and private historical and nature-based tours, field trips and teen programs, plus our signature community events: Memorial Day, Doors Open, Dia de los Muertos 5K and Festival, Shakesepeare in the Park and Spirits of the Silent City after-dark historical tours.

We have many volunteer opportunities for adults and youth looking for service hours! Email [email protected] to find out more.

Sign up for our newsletter on our website (foresthomecemetery.com) and follow us on Facebook and Instagram so you don’t miss any of our tours and events!

If you enjoy our beautiful space, stay longer! Stop in the office Monday–Friday 8 am–4:30 pm and Saturday 10 am – 3:30 pm , or call a counselor (414) 645-2632 to find out about our many burial options.

Host or Publisher Forest Home Historic Preservation Assoc.