From Burnout to Inner Peace – Else Karin’s Life-Changing Journey with Forest Bathing

Else Karin, one of my students, sought my help several years ago to find her way out of severe burnout. She was a classic workaholic – driven by perfectionism, high tempo, and a constant need to perform. Silence and rest were non-existent in her world; there were always new tasks, projects, and duties demanding her time and energy. After a focused development process, Else Karin managed to overcome her burnout, resigned from her job at the vehicle licensing office, and grew to become one of Norway’s most experienced therapists and spiritual guides.

Even after finding meaning, joy, and deep satisfaction in life, an inner drive continued to push her toward more work and additional commitments. This inner voice created constant pressure, making it challenging for her to maintain the balance she had fought hard to achieve.

A few years ago, I introduced her to the simple “forest bathing exercise” described earlier. We agreed that she would visit nature every day for 90 days – without agenda – and keep a “forest bathing diary” throughout the period. At least every other week, she would also undertake a longer journey of minimum two hours.

Initially, this was challenging, as her old patterns of activity remained deeply ingrained. However, after a few weeks, the first profound changes began to emerge…

“As the weeks progressed, I experienced an increasingly profound inner peace. The internal voice that had constantly driven me forward gradually became quieter, and my life transformed in a positive and deeply meaningful way. I began to cancel activities, decline new clients and projects – even the renovation of my own home – without feeling fear or guilt. For me, this was nothing short of miraculous. The voice that had been chasing me all these years had finally fallen silent. For the first time in my life, I experienced genuine, fundamental inner peace,” she shares.

Pål-Esben: A warm welcome to this interview. Today, we’ll meet a student who has undergone one of the most remarkable and inspiring transformations I’ve witnessed in my extensive career as a guide. About fifteen years ago, Else Karin came to me – completely exhausted, on the verge of serious burnout, with her body and nervous system pushed to their absolute limits.

Today, she lives a completely transformed life – filled with inner peace, personal power, profound joy, meaningful daily experiences, and work she truly loves and is passionate about. Moreover, she has evolved into one of the most skilled and empathetic guides and course leaders I’ve ever trained. She stands as living proof that profound change is possible.

Welcome, Else Karin.

Else Karin: Thank you so much for those kind words, Pål-Esben. Yes… when we first met, I was truly at rock bottom. I was totally exhausted, living in a constant state of stress, and had taken on far too many responsibilities and tasks – both professionally and personally. My sleep quality was terrible, I would forget even the simplest things, my concentration was practically non-existent, and I felt an enormous internal pressure that grew day by day. I was literally standing on the edge of a complete breakdown.

Pål-Esben: I remember it very clearly. It was like watching someone running at full speed straight into a concrete wall, with no ability to brake or change direction. You were trapped in a constant sympathetic stress mode, where your body was in permanent high alert. Even listening and absorbing information during our conversations was a massive challenge for you – your body and nervous system were so overwhelmed that they could barely process new information.

Looking back now, what do you identify as the key underlying causes that led you to this state of burnout?

Else Karin: In retrospect, I can clearly see that I was extremely over-enthusiastic, constantly over-committed, and an absolute perfectionist in everything I did. I felt an overwhelming responsibility to keep all wheels turning everywhere – both at work and at home. I said yes to absolutely every request that came my way, regardless of how exhausted I was. I desperately tried to stretch each day at both ends to get everything done. The worst part was that I had completely lost the ability to set healthy boundaries – both for myself and others.

Pål-Esben: Yes – you were simply a machine that never stopped. And at the same time, an incredibly resourceful woman who had just taken on far too much. You were like a machine in constant motion, always moving towards the next task, the next project, the next challenge, without taking time to check in with how your body and mind were actually doing.

The first step involves identifying the cause – medical, emotional, psychological, and behavioral. This is a comprehensive process where we systematically examine all aspects of life to uncover where the imbalances lie and how they affect each other. We look at everything from sleep patterns and diet to thought patterns and emotional triggers.

How did you experience that phase?

Else Karin: The most crucial part was learning to reconnect with myself. To find inner peace. To discover who I truly was beneath all the layers of stress. It was absolutely essential. It felt like peeling away layer after layer of stress and expectations until I could finally feel my own core again. The process was simultaneously frightening and liberating.

Pål-Esben: Many believe that slowing down, setting boundaries, and letting go of perfectionism will make them less productive. This misconception keeps many trapped in destructive patterns. We see this repeatedly in today’s society.

How was that experience for you?

Else Karin: It was completely the opposite! When I found peace, I became more efficient. I stopped over-perfecting things, made fewer mistakes, and was much more present in the moment. Simultaneously, much of the time consumption that stress itself creates simply disappeared. It was like discovering an entirely new way of working, where quality emerged naturally without force or pressure.

Pål-Esben: You were also assigned to meditate. How was that experience?

Else Karin: Absolutely terrible at first. I had so much noise in my head that I needed to keep a notepad and pen beside me just to write down everything that popped up. It was pure chaos. But gradually, my system calmed down, and that’s when the changes began. It was as if my brain could finally breathe.

Pål-Esben: I also gave you a rather brutal experiment: a week without computer and email. How did that go?

Else Karin: The first few days were absolutely horrible! I was addicted. But eventually, it became one of the most liberating things I’ve ever done. It opened my eyes to how much of my time was being consumed by technology.

Pål-Esben: How does your life feel now compared to back then?

Else Karin: It’s completely transformed in every conceivable way. I’ve discovered an inner peace and harmony that I never even knew was possible to achieve before. It feels like I’ve undergone a complete transformation, both mentally and emotionally. I view life through entirely different eyes now – it’s no longer about chasing the next achievement or meeting others’ expectations.

My understanding of what truly matters in life has fundamentally shifted. Those small moments I previously took for granted have now become sources of profound joy and gratitude. I’ve rediscovered old interests and hobbies that were long buried under layers of stress and obligations. It’s like reuniting with an old friend – myself.

My daily life is no longer an endless series of tasks that need to be completed. Instead, it’s filled with conscious choices, meaningful activities, and genuine human connections. I’ve learned to establish healthy boundaries and listen to my body’s signals. Stress is no longer the dominant force in my life – it’s balance, peace, and presence that characterize my days now.

Pål-Esben: You continued your education long after recovering from burnout. Why?

Else Karin: Because it was incredibly exciting and rewarding! Each new insight and understanding I gained confirmed that this was my true path. Everything fell into place perfectly. The methods and techniques I learned had such a profound impact that I was filled with enthusiasm and curiosity to learn more.

I discovered that this was my real calling – helping other people through their challenges. This desire to support and lift others who are struggling has always been deep within me. Now I could finally do it in a way that felt authentic and meaningful. My own experience with burnout gave me a unique understanding and empathy for others in similar situations. It felt like everything I had gone through suddenly had a deeper purpose – it would become the foundation for helping others find their way out of darkness.

Pål-Esben: Else Karin – you are living proof that even the most severe burnout can be healed when one receives proper support, does the work, and is willing to face oneself. Your journey has been both inspiring and educational to follow. Your openness and honesty about the process has shown how important it is to address challenges when they arise. I am convinced that your unique combination of personal experience and professional expertise will make a significant difference in many people’s lives in the years to come. Your story is powerful evidence of the possibility for positive change.

Thank you so much for sharing your personal and fascinating story.

Else Karin: Thank you as well. It means incredibly much to be able to share this journey and my experiences. I hope it can provide hope and inspiration to others who are in similar situations.

For more information about forest bathing, Shinrin-yoku and modern research on this, you can read the article Forest Bathing is Our Most Important Medicine