The Finns and the Forest - What can the forest teach us?

What does the forest smell like after the rain? What sensations arise from touching lush moss, hearing the wind rustle through the treetops, or feeling the mossy forest floor beneath one's feet? 

For many Finns, these are familiar experiences, ones intertwined with memories, emotions, and a sense of security. 

More than just trees 

To a Finn, the forest is rarely just a collection of trees. It can be a place for quiet reflection and calm, a place to gather gifts from nature, a place to work, or a place tied to childhood memories of play. Almost every Finn has memories and experiences connected to the forest and nature, and everyone has their own unique relationship with the surrounding natural world. In a study examining this connection, 83 percent of respondents described the forest as personally important or very important to them. 

A "forest relationship" refers to an individual's personal and cultural connection to the forest. Researchers describe this relationship as a complex whole shaped by the individual, the community, history, and culture. It is built upon experiences, memories, knowledge, values, stories, and practices, all of which are passed down from one generation to the next. Thus, our relationship with the forest is shaped not only by our own experiences but also by the experiences and values ​​of past generations, conveyed through the stories we have heard from them. 

For Finns, the forest is more than just a natural resource or a setting for recreation. It can also be a place where a person experiences a connection to themselves, their surroundings, and their own history.

The Relationship with the Forest Is Part of Finnish Cultural Heritage 

Forests are a major part of Finland's history. They have provided people with food, shelter, warmth, building materials, and a livelihood. Gathering berries and mushrooms, hunting, and utilizing timber have shaped people's daily lives and skills for generations. Finns have long been known as a "forest people", a nation that survives in the harsh conditions of the North, dependent on the forests and bogs. 

At the same time, the forest has served as the setting for stories that transcend the human experience. In folklore, the forest has been associated with spirits, beliefs, reverence, and, at times, even fear. It has been both a prerequisite for life and a realm that lies beyond human comprehension. Although the concept of forest spirits is rooted in ancient folklore, tales of their mischievous pranks and the phenomenon of being "hidden by the forest" (metsänpeitto) have not faded into oblivion. 

However, the relationship with the forest has not remained static. As Finnish society has evolved, so too has the significance of the forest. Alongside its role as a source of livelihood, the forest has increasingly become a space for recreation, leisure, and restoration in nature. While modern people may not rely on the forest in the same way their ancestors did, it continues to hold an important place in our lives. 

Although we no longer need to gather food from the forest to survive the winter, even if picking berries and mushrooms, hunting, and fishing remain part of everyday life for countless Finns, we can still learn to identify the forest's fungi and plants, read the natural world, navigate the woods safely, and understand the changing of the seasons. These skills connect us to previous generations and help us forge our own unique relationship with the forest. 

Forest heritage is not merely a thing of the past; it is also defined by what we choose to pass on. Future generations will inherit our stories as part of their forest legacy.

The Forest Teaches Patience and Perspective 

Modern humans live to the rhythm of schedules and constant notifications. In the forest, time moves more slowly. 

The growth of trees is measured in decades, moss spreads veeeery sloooowly, and the seasons follow one another without any rush. The rhythm of the forest reminds us that important things often take time. Furthermore, it can help us remember that, just as in nature, our own lives have different seasons and phases: sunny summer days, rainy transitional periods, and the dark winter season, which is a time for rest. 

In the forest, one also easily realizes how little a human being truly needs to be well. Everything essential fits into a pocket or a backpack, depending on the length of the excursion; the morning mist, the blue of the sky, or the night sky envelops us, while the fresh scent of the forest mingles with the gentle smoke of a campfire. Ultimately, many of the most important things are very simple. 

In the forest, a human being is not the protagonist or the center of everything; rather, we are merely part of a larger whole, part of nature. This perspective can be liberating in an age when ever more is expected of the individual. As you gaze deep into a seemingly endless pine forest or across an open bog, you may find that both you and your worries shrink to a small scale against the vastness of nature.

Let Go of Expectations 

Have you ever stopped to consider why blueberries grow in abundance in a certain spot, or what kind of environment different lichens prefer? Or have you ever identified a tree just by its trunk or the shape of its leaves? The forest offers endless opportunities for learning. Identifying plants, listening to bird calls, and observing the changing seasons ensure there is always something new to explore. 

A deeper knowledge of nature can also strengthen your connection to the forest. As you learn to recognize your surroundings, the forest ceases to be merely a green landscape. It becomes a place where you can pause to focus on details and changes, examining various types of moss or listening to the diverse sounds of nature. 

Focusing on these details also enhances well-being and a sense of presence, which can help you cope with the demands of daily life. Being present does not mean that your thoughts must cease or that your mind must become completely silent; rather, it can simply be a matter of bringing your attention back to what is happening around you right now. 

We often head into the forest to walk, ski, pick berries, or go hiking, in other words, to DO something. While such activities can bring joy and energy, there are times when it is beneficial to set your goals aside for a while. You might sit on a tree stump or a fallen log, watch the clouds drift across the sky, or pause to listen to the wind in the treetops. You can take a short walk or simply linger in a familiar spot for a few minutes. The forest can serve as a reminder that not every moment needs to be useful in some measurable way.

How can you deepen your personal connection to the forest in your everyday life? 

Strengthening your relationship with the forest doesn't require a long trek deep into the wilderness or moving to the countryside, tucked away in the woods. While Stilte's nature services and excursions offer a chance to immerse yourself in nature's embrace and step away from daily life for a while, small, recurring actions and experiences can also help you build a connection to the nature nearby. 

Try, for example: 

• Set aside time for a nearby forest. Visit the same spot during different seasons and observe how the landscape changes. 
• Use your senses. Listen, smell, touch, and observe your surroundings. 
• Learn a new nature-related skill. Identify a tree species, learn how to read a map, or discover how to responsibly gather and use natural resources—for instance, through one of Stilte's wild herb courses. 
• Share your experiences. Go on an outing with a friend, a child, or a loved one. Talk about the memories and thoughts that the forest evokes for you. 

What is your favorite memory related to the forest?

Also explore 

Nature excursions and experiences – moments in the forest and by the water, in rhythm with nature. 

Wellness services and massages – for the recovery of body and mind. 

Retreats and workshops – unhurried moments spent in nature, engaging in hands-on activities, and enjoying time together. 

Welcome to find well-being in the embrace of nature! 

-Anne-Mari, Stilte Massage and Nature Services