For a countryside escape within easy striking distance of Washington, D.C., drive roughly an hour west of the nation’s capital to reach the leafy enclave of Middleburg, Virginia, in beautiful Loudoun County.

Here, with the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop and plenty of fresh air, a unique eco-minded activity awaits at one special and restorative boutique inn.

“Forest bathing is the practice of spending time in the forest or other natural setting to relax and connect with nature,” explained Greg McCarley, activities manager, Goodstone Inn & Restaurant, a collection of boutique cottages sprawling across 265 acres of rolling terrain in Virginia’s famed horse and wine country. “It involves more than simply being there,” he said about the practice of conscientiously being present in nature and woods. “You have to be mindful, breathe deeply, notice your surroundings, and
really focus on what you’re experiencing.”

© Goodstone Inn

First coined in Japan in the 1980s, forest bathing (shinrin-yoku in Japanese) gives those who practice it the tools to achieve balance between calm and tension, said McCarley. And its wellness benefits range from reduced stress levels and improved mood to better sleep quality and an overall feeling of greater well-being.

Goodstone Inn guests and those visiting the property with a day pass, too, can enjoy guided mindfulness hikes and kayaking adventures during which they’re introduced to Japanese forest bathing concepts designed to enhance one’s connection to nature through the senses.

There’s even an elemental tai chi class during which guests put forest bathing practices into action while they practice tai chi in the shallow areas of a creek flowing through Goodstone’s property, mindfully moving with the water and mirroring its rhythm as the creek flows around their feet.

“As guests walk through nature, we encourage them to ask introspective questions including, ‘Do I know what that plant, soil, or water actually smells like? Feels like? Sounds like?’” McCarley said. Participants are encouraged to express gratitude, knowing they may never smell, touch or hear that particular item again. “Reflecting on these simple moments makes the experience more meaningful and memorable,” he said. “It’s a truly immersive experience that we hope stays with them for a long time after their visit.”