Swoveralls Comfort Club · May 2025 · Volume 3, Issue 3
Touch Grass: Your Brain Will Thank You
By Kyle Bergman, Founder of Swoveralls ·
From the archives: early Summer 2019. Washing Square Park, New York, NY
The short version
Founder Kyle Bergman makes the case for grounding and forest bathing (shinrin-yoku), pointing to research that even looking at greenery can reduce mental fatigue, lower cortisol, and improve focus. The issue also celebrates an engagement in Swoveralls from Emily and Maddie, and shares a friend's brand, DudeRobe.
In this issue
- Touch grass: why time in nature gives your brain a cognitive recharge
- Customer Spotlight: Emily and Maddie's Swoveralls engagement
- Things we love: DudeRobe, from fellow founder Howie
Memorial Day weekend is here, which means we're officially entering that awesome space between spring hustle and summer slowdown.
School's almost out, grills are being dusted off, and your inbox is probably filling up with sales you don't actually need (we're guilty).
It's the season where structure softens a little, where days and weekends stretch, shoes come off more often, and the outdoors start calling louder than usual.
Basically, it's a good time to let things breathe. Yourself included.
Shall we?
Forest Bathing: Not As Weird As It Sounds
me grounding next to our beautiful sycamore
Turns out, staring at trees is good for your brain.
Multiple studies have shown that simply looking at greenery, whether it's a backyard, a park, or even a high-res photo of a forest...can reduce mental fatigue, lower cortisol levels, and improve focus (Kaplan, 1995; Ulrich et al., 1991; Berman et al., 2008).
The theory is that our brains, wired for survival in natural environments, get a sort of "cognitive recharge" when exposed to nature.
And it doesn't have to be a multi-day hiking trip.
A single tree out your window, a leafy screensaver, or a cute little succulent on your desk can all deliver some of the benefits.
As a dad starting my sophomore year in suburbia (I miss you Brooklyn), I've been on a journey with my backyard lawn. I've got 1.5 yr old twin boys, and the yard desperately needed some grass so those little whipper snappers could blow off their post-dinner steam.
I'm not gonna lie, the yard is starting to look good.
I try to get out there every day, barefoot if I can, and practice a little shinrin-yoku (the Japanese art of forest bathing).
It's not just about trees, it's about being present, slowing down, and letting nature do its thing.
And the cool thing? When the soles of my feet touch grass and you look at nature...I seem to automatically become present and slow down...so maybe it is all about the trees.
Anyways, here's your official invitation:
step outside, touch some grass, lean on a tree, take a breath.
And hey, if you want to enhance the experience, I hear there's a waistband-free outfit that pairs really well with grounding.
Customer Spotlight: Emily and Maddie
Cardboard Rocky, Emily, and Maddie moments after the big moment.
I only know one other person who has proposed in Swoveralls... and that's me.
But here we are, with another iconic engagement in the books. And not just any pairs of Swoveralls, either.
We're talking Teddy Fleece and Emerald Velour - the absolute creme de la creme of the collection. If you're going to pop the question, might as well do it in peak cozy.
Massive congrats to you two, and thank you for sharing (and wearing) your free-waistband energy with us. Here's to love, softness, and saying yes in Swoveralls.
In Other Comfy News
Things We Love: DudeRobe
Every newsletter I like to use this section to share a thing that brings me joy in my life.
DudeRobe is the brainchild of my friend Howie, a fellow founder and one of the earliest believers in Swoveralls. We met back in the early days, swapped stories, war wounds, and warehouse headaches, and we've been cheering each other on ever since.
Entrepreneurship can be a lonely, chaotic ride. But having someone in the trenches with you? That's gold. Or in this case, towel-lined loungewear gold.
So what is DudeRobe? It's robes, shorts, and hoodies, remixed for folks who don't normally wear robes. Think: ultra-functional, ridiculously comfy, and very much "why didn't this exist before?" (sound familiar?)
You can learn more about DudeRobe here.
One Last Thought
That's all for now.
See you out there (preferably barefoot),
Founder | Chief Swoveralls Officer
PS - Have any comfort recommendations you'd like to share? Feel free to reply here and let me know. I'd be happy to include in a future newsletter and of course give ya a shoutout.
PSS - Love this newsletter? Can't stand it? Reply here and let me know and I'll personally get back to you. Your feedback is a gift.
PSSS - If you made it this far, you might as well join our facebook group here (the Comfort Club).
Key takeaways
- Multiple studies have shown that simply looking at greenery, even a photo of a forest, can reduce mental fatigue, lower cortisol levels, and improve focus (Kaplan, 1995; Ulrich et al., 1991; Berman et al., 2008).
- The benefit does not require a big trip; a single tree out your window, a leafy screensaver, or a succulent on your desk can deliver some of it.
- Kyle practices shinrin-yoku, the Japanese art of forest bathing, by getting outside daily and barefoot when he can to become present and slow down.
Frequently asked
What is forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku?
Shinrin-yoku is the Japanese art of forest bathing. As Kyle describes it, it is less about the trees themselves and more about being present, slowing down, and letting nature do its thing, often done outdoors and barefoot.
Does looking at greenery actually help your brain?
According to the research Kyle cites, yes. Multiple studies have shown that simply looking at greenery can reduce mental fatigue, lower cortisol levels, and improve focus (Kaplan, 1995; Ulrich et al., 1991; Berman et al., 2008), which the theory attributes to a cognitive recharge our brains get from nature.
Featured in this issue
- Shop Swoveralls, the waistband-free outfit that pairs well with grounding
- Browse best sellers, including cozy fleece and velour styles