Traveling into the forest can be a very calming experience. There is a certain quality about the trees that invite you to leave behind the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It is a natural place to let yourself relax and sink into the quiet, which is broken only by the sound of a few animals, birds, or a babbling brook. Even listening attentively to these sounds can have a quieting effect.

In the process of becoming at peace, your emotions can settle down as your mind begins to let go of the many thoughts and concerns you might have taken with you. This is the result of focusing your attention on the beauty you see before you, the playfulness of wild animals, or the discovery of different kinds of plants. In a sense, the natural surroundings call you to single mindedness.

More than any other kind, pine trees seem to have the effect of quieting your mind. This cannot be proven in a scientific way, but people who have spent time in the forest all attest to this experience. In times past, hospitals were built in the midst of pine trees because the energy of the trees seemed to provide a soothing and healing experience. The smell of the sap that comes from this tree may have a lot to do with its soothing qualities.

Since you do not have to hurry when you are relaxing in the forest, you can take the time to daydream, do some sketching, or sit quietly and engage in meditation. You can be alone with your thoughts because there is no one to disturb you. All of these experiences naturally quiet the body and give you a feeling of peace.