Originated in Japan, forest bathing is the practice of spending time in the forest for health benefits. The Japanese name for forest bathing is shinrin-yoku. Shinrin-yoku research indicates that phytoncides, the chemicals emitted by trees are extremely beneficial to human health when inhaled. While forest bathing may sound like the latest in a long line of “new-age” trends promising improved health, research has proven its effects to be both powerful and long-lasting.
As people flocked to the multitude of Japanese forests, taking in the fresh air and the stillness, reports of improved health began to surface. The incidence of improved mental and physical health was so high that several studies were done on the efficacy of shinrin-yoku. One study looked at people’s measures of health after time spent in the city, versus their health after time spent in the forest. The shinrin-yoku research showed that time spent in the forest has several observable positive impacts on the health of individuals spending time in forest environments as opposed to city environments.
Health benefits
After proving that time spent in forests brought about immediate health improvements, scientists began to focus on exactly how forest bathing improves human health. The benefits are both numerous and long-lasting. Forest bathing research shows that immune function, neurological sensitivity, heart rate, blood pressure, and mood are all improved by spending time in the forest.
Phytoncides and how they work
Phytoncides are substances emitted by trees and plants to kill potentially harmful insects and bacteria. When people inhale phytoncides, the results are almost immediate. The body begins to function in a more balanced way, regulating its functions and changing the way it protects itself against viruses, bacteria, and cancer.
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