Forest Bathing has shown to be have an immediate positive effect on physical and mental health and wellbeing for those who spend an average of 2 to 2.5 hours/week in a forest or natural environment. This time can be spent cumulatively, or broken into 20 to 25-minutes each day for the following benefits:
Strengthens the immune system: trees and plants emit monoterpenes–substances have been shown to stimulate the immune system by activating our “natural killer” lymphocytes (cells that kill tumor and virus-infected cells). Spending time amongst trees allows us to benefit from monoterpenes, as they are inhaled and absorbed into the bloodstream.
Rich in microorganisms: forests provide our immune systems with an extra boost, as trees provide exposure to the “good bacteria” found in soil, decaying branches, and leaves.
Reduces stress: spending time observing the beauty and complexity presented in nature is linked to a greater sense of satisfaction in life, recovery from mental fatigue and burnout, and resetting of the body’s “fight or flight” response.
Improves air quality: Areas with abundant tree vegetation, contribute to the capture of polluting particles.
Receipts:
Li, Q. (2018). Forest bathing: How trees can help you find health and happiness. Penguin.
Wen, Y., Yan, Q., Pan, Y., Gu, X., & Liu, Y. (2019). Medical empirical research on forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku): A systematic review. Environmental health and preventive medicine, 24(1), 1-21.
Park, B. J., Tsunetsugu, Y., Kasetani, T., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2010). The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. Environmental health and preventive medicine, 15(1), 18-26.
Li, Q. (2010). Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environmental health and preventive medicine, 15(1), 9-17.
Mao, G. X., Cao, Y. B., Lan, X. G., He, Z. H., Chen, Z. M., Wang, Y. Z., … & Yan, J. (2012). Therapeutic effect of forest bathing on human hypertension in the elderly. Journal of cardiology, 60(6), 495-502