sustainability Article A Qualitative Study Comparing Mindfulness and Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing): Practitioners’ Perspectives Fiona J. Clarke 1, * , Yasuhiro Kotera 2 and Kirsten McEwan 3   Citation: Clarke, F.J.; Kotera, Y.; McEwan, K. A Qualitative Study Comparing Mindfulness and Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing): Practitioners’ Perspectives. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6761. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126761 Academic Editor: Takahide Kagawa Received: 28 April 2021 Accepted: 8 June 2021 Published: 15 June 2021 Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affil- iations. Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). 1 School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK 2 Human Sciences Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK; y.kotera@derby.ac.uk 3 College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK; k.mcewan@derby.ac.uk * Correspondence: f.j.clarke@bham.ac.uk Abstract: The boundary between mindfulness and forest bathing, two conceptually related therapies, is unclear. Accordingly, this study reports the strengths and challenges, similarities and differences, and barriers and facilitators for both. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven trained and experienced practitioners of both mindfulness and forest bathing. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed four main themes: (i) differences between the approaches; (ii) the benefits of forest bathing; (iii) biophilia through forest bathing; and (iv) inward versus outward attentional focus as a distinction between the approaches. Both practices were found to benefit well-being, but practitioners revealed key barriers to mindfulness. For vulnerable groups experiencing mental health challenges or difficul- ties achieving a meditative state, mindfulness may introduce well-being risks. By offering a gentler, more intuitive approach that encourages outward attentional focus, forest bathing was found to overcome this barrier. Forest bathing is suitable for all groups, but adaptations are recommended for those expressing fear or discomfort in forested environments. The findings inform how to position both approaches in practice, as a first step towards social prescribing recommendations. Wider implications concern forest bathing’s potential to impact environmental well-being. Future research must garner comparative data, involve young people, and explore the feasibility of a forest bathing social prescription. Keywords: compassion; environment; forest bathing; mindfulness; nature connection; social pre- scribing; therapeutic practice 1. Introduction 1.1. Background There is a global mental health crisis, with common issues such as depression and anxiety constituting a large burden of disease affecting 13% of the population [1]. In the UK, the resulting economic impact has been estimated at approximately £35 billion per year [2]. Increased urbanization over the years has led to the introduction of multiple life stressors [3]. Additionally, the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has presented society with greater and potentially enduring mental health challenges [4–6] as individuals have adjusted to national restrictions, fewer opportunities for social interaction, and uncertainty around evolving circumstances [7]. In attempts to address the mental health crisis, the popularity of third-wave therapies such as mindfulness and meditation has increased over recent years [8], and specifically during the pandemic [9,10]. There are additionally many calls to capitalize upon the multifaceted health and well-being benefits of connecting with nature in attempts to alleviate mental health symptoms [11,12]. Social prescribing is an accessible and potentially effective way of protecting individu- als’ mental health, by signposting to community-based interventions, such as meditation groups, yoga classes, and nature-based programs [13]. In a social prescription, McE- wan et al. [14] evaluated a smartphone app prompting users to notice the good things in Sustainability 2021, 13, 6761. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126761 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability