In 1982, forest bathing became part of the national public health program in Japan. Forest bathing is a “Shinrin-yoku’’ therapy that encourages you to take in the forest atmosphere. This therapy has become a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine.
Forest bathing doesn’t require you to do any exercise. No working out, no jogging or hiking, just quiet contemplation surrounded by trees. Forest bathing is about relaxing.
Japan have spent many years studying the physical and psychological effects of forest bathing. From 2004 to 2012, they spent $4 million dollars conducting scientific research into the benefits of forest bathing. According to the findings, this Japanese practice has been proven to lower heart rate, boost immune system, reduce stress hormone production and improve your overall wellbeing.
Essential oils, otherwise known as phytoncide, are found in wood, plants and some fruit and vegetables. Trees emit phytoncide to protect them from germs and insects. Qing Li, a professor at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo measured the activity of human natural killer (NK) cells in the immune system before and after exposure to the forest. The findings indicate that phytoncide exposure and decrease stress hormone levels may partially contribute to increased NK activity. Li’s subjects showed significant increase in NK cell activity in the week after a visit to the forest. Inhaling phytoncide seems to improve cell function and this is good for our health.
The Center for Environment, Health and Field Studies in Japan also measured the physiological effects of forest bathing on 280 participants in their early 20s. Swabs were taken of the salivary cortisol (which increases stress) and readings were taken of the subjects blood pressure, heart rate and pulse rate. They tested the subjects during a day in the city and compared those to readings taken during a day with a 30-minute forest visit. The study concluded that: “Forest environments promote lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate, lower blood pressure, greater parasympathetic nerve activity, and lower sympathetic nerve activity than do city environments.”
Another study on the psychological effects of forest bathing surveyed 498 healthy volunteers twice in the forest and twice in control environments. After exposure to trees, the participants showed significantly reduce hostility and depression scores. They also exhibited increased liveliness. The authors concluded that: “forest environments can be viewed as therapeutic landscapes”.
If you’re a city-dweller, a simple visit to the park can help relieve your stress. Some city-dwellers have even joined forest bathing clubs. By getting regular doses of nature, we can improve our immune system, as well as our well-being. In essence, nature can be a powerful healer.
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Written by: Fattima Mahdi
Fattima Mahdi is a author, mentor, lyricist and professional roller-skater. She uses both her love for writing and music to address socio-political issues prevalent in society today. She is also the proud author of Love Don’t Come Easy. Read More stories by Fattima Mahdi