I Spent a Weekend Forest Bathing in the Tennessee Mountains — Here's What Changed for Me

View at Well Being Retreat Center

Arrival: A Different Kind of Welcome

You know that moment when your GPS signal fades and the road turns from pavement to gravel? That was my first sign that the Well Being Retreat Center in Tazewell, Tennessee was going to offer something a little different. I was attending an Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) four day retreat for further education in maintaining my Forest Therapy guiding certification.

As a certified forest therapy guide, I’ve attended and led many nature-based experiences, but I’d heard the whispers about this special spot in (very) rural Northeast Tennessee. Tucked along the Powell River, the Well Being Retreat Center isn’t just a retreat space — it’s a gentle nudge back into your own rhythms.

When I pulled into the center, I was greeted by roaming cows in the road, birdsong, the wind in the trees, and a warm smile from the hosts. It was calming and peaceful,and it set the stage for the next few days.

The Land Holds You

Nature As Co-Facilitator

The first thing I noticed… this land has presence. Not in a loud, dramatic way, but in a quiet, grounded way that invites you to slow down. The center spans over 160 acres, with forested trails, wide open meadows, and the winding Powell River carving through it all.

One afternoon, I found myself sitting under a sycamore tree near the riverbank, watching the sunlight shimmer on the water. I hadn’t planned to be there for long, but an hour passed. Then another. Something about that moment — the warmth of the bark, the hum of insects, the lull of the water — held me there. That’s what forest bathing does: it gives you permission to just be.

along the trail - Well Being Retreat Center

The Forest Bathing Experience

A Gentle Invitation to Come Home

Each morning began with a guided forest therapy walk. If you’re picturing a strenuous hike, erase that image. Forest Bathing is about being in nature, not doing in nature. It’s slow, intentional, sensory, and deeply personal.

We began each morning with connecting to the land, awakening our senses, and grounding into the moment. As a participant (not the guide this time), I noticed how quickly I let go of my usual responsibilities. Our guides offered invitations like "Wander slowly and notice what catches your attention," or "Find a place to sit and listen."

During one of these invitations, I sat beneath a tulip poplar and was struck by how alive the silence was. I heard layers of sound I usually miss — the soft flutter of leaves, distant woodpecker taps, the buzz and hum of insects, and my own breath slowing.

Nature Mirrors Your Inner World

One woman in our group shared how watching a cicada shedding it’s outer skin helped her realize it is ok and natural to change course, start over, and move in a new or different direction. Another felt drawn to the flow of the river, which mirrored letting her worries get carried away down stream. Nature has a way of holding up a mirror, gently and without judgment.

Simplicity is the Sanctuary

Accommodations That Let Nature Take Center Stage

My Cabinette Accommodation

The rooms are clean, cozy, and comfortably sparse. Mine was a small cabinette set on a tree canopied trail. I ended each evening drinking tea, breathing in the fresh scented air, and watching dusk settle in while several deer snacked nearby.

Meals were nourishing and made with love — delicious, creative vegan and vegetarian dishes served buffet-style. We ate in silence one afternoon, and it made me appreciate the food so much more. The quite helped to notice the crunch of homemade sweet potato chips and the warmth of a lentil stew. This shared meal without words somehow deepened the entire experience.

What I Took Home

On the trail at Well Being Retreat Center

Calm That Lasts Longer Than the Weekend

As someone in my 50s who balances a full-time job and running a part-time forest therapy practice, I often forget what true rest feels like. This retreat gave me a taste of it again.

I left with a deeper understanding of how essential stillness is — not as a luxury, but as a need. I also left with practical tools: a renewed commitment to allowing time for “sit spots” (quiet time to myself), a reminder to walk slower, and a habit of asking, "What does this moment want from me?"

Who Should Try Forest Bathing?

This practice is ideal if:

• You’re a nature lover craving more than a hike

• You’re navigating stress, burnout, or a major life transition

• You’re at a point in life where you are feeling that itch for something more grounded

• You want to reconnect with yourself without needing to "fix" anything

You don’t need experience in meditation, forest bathing, or even wellness retreats. Just a willingness to slow down and listen.

Final Thoughts

I didn’t come to the Well Being Retreat Center looking to be changed, but the land, the quiet, and the invitation to be fully present... they worked on me in ways I couldn’t have predicted.

If you’re seeking calm, craving reconnection, or just want to be held by nature for a while, Forest Therapy in this little corner of Tennessee or with your local guide might be exactly what your nervous system has been asking for.

And who knows? You might just find yourself sitting under a tree, doing absolutely nothing, and realizing it’s the most important thing you’ve done in a long time.

Book my Forest Bathing experience in Columbus, Ohio today.

WELL BEING RETREAT CENTER - Tazewell, TN