Forest bathing - what is it and how can it benefit your health?
The Japanese have been digging into the benefits of what they call "shinrin yoku" (forest bathing) for a fair while now and scientific research into the benefits of breathing in the essential oils that dense forests release into the air in particular continues to mount up. Shinrin yoku, also known as forest bathing, literally means bathing in the forest atmosphere - taking it in through all of our senses. This unique feeling is supposed to make us feel calm and comforted, through the means of the sounds, scents and fresh clean air from the forest.
What is forest bathing and how does it work?
Forest bathing therapy doesn’t entail any kind of exercise, even though it might seem like so. Having that in mind, how can you start practising forest therapy?
Namely, forest therapy refers to connecting with nature by using the forest bathing therapy (or shinrin yoku) as a bridge that will make an interrelation between yourself and the nature surrounding you.
The key of forest bathing success lies in the simple fact - in this modern world we have never been more disconnected from nature, so “divorced” from it. We have grown so accustomed to technology, became so dependent on it, that we no longer know how to reset and slow down. Forest therapy is one of means to do so - it can help you step back into the present moment, relax you and, at the same time, have an infinite positive effect on your health.
Forest bathing and the science behind it
By now, you have probably gathered that our senses are the key of invoking the power and potency of forest bathing. However, if our five senses are the mediums, something must stimulate them, and that something is called phytoncides.
What are phytoncides?
Phytoncides are airborne anti-microbial substances that trees release as a way to fight off disease and harmful substances, If you've ever wandered through a remote pine forest you'll no doubt recall the distinct scent of that experience but there is a tangible, self-defence rationale behind it all too from the forest's perspective.
Studies have shown that breathing in phytoncides while walking in a forest has beneficial effects on human Natural Killer (NK) blood cells that help fight virus-infected cells, a tangible immune system boost that can last for up to 30 days.
Cedar, oak and pine are all examples of trees that give off plenty of this type of essential oil, the latter in particular has attracted our attention as we used pine wood for our balance beams and pull-up bars in the Biofit Calgary fitness studio. We now gently diffuse 100% natural pine oil during class as a way to borrow some of the plant's positive health benefits for our clients. Biophilia and natural health in action right there people!
Forest bathing benefits - health benefits of forest bathing
When it comes to forest bathing benefits - there are plenty, both for mental and physical wellbeing. With that in mind, here are some of the greatest benefits of forest bathing.
Stress and anxiety reduction
It has been scientifically proven that leisure walks through the forest can decrease as much as 12.4 percent of cortisol, the stress hormone, which is more than an urban walk could ever provide.
Creativity boost
Certain studies have shown that participants who have utilized forest bathing therapy, have experienced as much as 50% of improvement in the domain of creative problem solving, solely after three days of being separated from any kind of technology.
Mood improvement
When it comes to some of the most obvious forest bathing health benefits, it was shown that a connection with nature helps with mood improvement, by releasing hormones relating to joy, happiness and calmness.
Forest bathing immune system benefits
The aforementioned phytoncides are what enforces the key benefits for the human immune system, through forest bathing. These airborne particles enhance the activity of our defence mechanism and help us fight diseases.
Speeds up illness recovery
Forest bathing therapy is powerful when it comes to accelerating our recovery from illness, with the explanation being in nature acting as a catalyst of the recovery process.
Reduction of high blood pressure
Unfortunately, we are all too aware of the dangers of high blood pressure and what consequences it can cause. Taking this into account, recent studies have shown the sudden drops in blood pressure in forest surroundings, in comparison to more civic encirclement.
How to start forest bathing?
If you were wondering is there a forest therapy guide or could it be just as easy as walking through the woods, here is how you can start.
Find a spot and tune in all your senses
You don’t have to travel deep into the woods in order to start forest bathing therapy. It is sufficient to find a spot in some green area, relax, and allow your senses to be overwhelmed by sensations surrounding you.
Try out some different activities and appreciate the silence around you
Once you’ve mastered slow walking, you can start including some more complex activities, such as yoga, meditation, writing something, exploring and so on. However, never forget that you’ve started the therapy in order to appreciate silence again.
Noise pollution has become the inseparable part of our urban lives, which is why silence has become restorative. Learn to appreciate it again, the sound of the forest, so different than the invasive sounds we grew accustomed to, and, if nothing else, remember that you are part of the larger whole, and become more appreciative of others, as well as yourself.
Forest bathing science
If you are interested to know more about forest bathing benefits, explained through the binoculars of science, read the full research report from Japan online here and find out more the grateful effects of forest therapy.