History of Forest Bathing: 🍃🌍🍃

The Japanese term Shinrin Yoku translates to ‘immersion in the atmosphere of the forest’’.

This practice and related research is now recognized globally as Restorative Nature Therapy, Forest and Nature Therapy or commonly Forest Bathing.

The research and scientific studies conducted in Japan and Korea were focused on finding an effective and accessible form of stress and anxiety recovery. This research was commissioned in response to the impactful increase in stress and immune system disorders related to the fast paced, technology driven shifts in their society and the impact to the health of the populous.

There are now over 40 years worth of published studies affirming the biological response of our mental, emotional and physical equilibrium in relationship with the beneficial influences of nature.

This connection is rooted in our genetic evolution and continues to be more relevant and applicable than our contemporary societies often recognize.

Shinrin Yoku is quite common in Japan as a practice for public health and well-being and prescriptions are written for therapeutic levels for recovery.

Key Physiological Benefits of Restorative Nature Therapy:

Increases serotonin levels, stimulated by the phytoncides released from trees. (feel-good hormone)
Reduces blood pressure (systolic and diastolic)

Decreases heart rate and pulse

Increases parasympathetic nervous system activity (promotes relaxation)
significantly decreases cortisol levels. (stress hormone)

Decreases sympathetic nervous system activity (fight-or-flight response)

Improves heart rate variability (better autonomic balance)

Boosts natural killer (NK) cell activity and numbers

Elevates anti-cancer proteins in immune cells

Enhances overall immune function (partly via phytoncides from trees)

May reduce inflammation (lower inflammatory cytokines)

The calming and relaxing influence can be felt within the first 15 to 20 minutes of the practice.

These beneficial effects from a full Forest Therapy session can be measured for up to two weeks later.