So what is Forest Bathing?

Encouraged moments of ‘soft fascination’ with your surroundings,

of soothing sights and sounds, allowing us to take a break

from the direct focus on our busy lives (Dr Qing Li, 2018).

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Our relationship with nature goes back many many years as protection, a food source, a shelter, and a comfort.

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More recently the health benefits of being in nature has been rediscovered and the practice of Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing) the was developed in Japan by Tomohide Akiyama as a public health initiative. Unlike hiking or outdoor fitness, it encourages an intentional slow, mindful immersion in a woodland or natural setting.

 

Through this practice, and research that followed, it was found to support:

• Stress reduction by lowering your blood pressure and heart rate

• Lower cortisol levels from the fight and flight response.

• Reduced anxiety symptoms

• Improved mood and focus 

• Nervous system regulation – our brains benefit from the gentle stimulation of light, shapes, sounds and scents of nature

• Believed to aid reduction in internal inflammation 

• There are also reported benefits of scents from the pines, mosses and soil that provide added health benefits

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As mentioned in a ‘Broadleaf’ publication from the Woodland Trust 

“Trees can make you happier and healthier

– they might even extend your life…….

They make a profound impact on

people’s physical and mental health”

(page14, issue 118)

 

That is a bold statement, but where did they get this information from?

 

Research shows that spending intentional time in nature can positively impact both psychological and physiological health, making it a valuable tool within nature therapy and eco-therapy practices.

 

The ‘ART’ theory (Attention Restoration Theory, 1980) developed by Rachel and Stephen Kaplan, suggests that people paying too much attention to one thing can result in increased stress, lack of focus and mental fatigue. They proposed spending time in nature allows for ‘effortless attention’ or ‘soft fascination’. Observing the environment, and engaging all your senses, comes automatically and requires no effort. When this happens, the part of your brain that does planning, decision making and other cognitive processes, gets a momentary break, resulting in reduced stress levels.

 

A study in 1984 by Roger Ulrich also discovered the healing benefits for patients that had access to a view of trees from their hospital bed. These patients had shorter recovery time and reported feelings of calmness.

 

Back in the mid 1700’s a philosopher called Edmund Burke transformed the concept of Awe. A dictionary definition of awe is “a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.” Fast forward to the 1900’s and this was further explored to discover the experience of ‘awe’ increased happiness and lowered stress levels. In further studies it was also found to alter the way people interacted and treated others with kindness after experiencing ‘awe’. It is thought that we can experience this concept up to two times a week, and some more than others. Awe is thought to innately help us connect us socially. (Lucy Jones (2020)).

 

In essence, forest bathing gently regulates the nervous system, helping us shift from “fight or flight” threat mode, into “rest and restore.”