Have you heard of forest bathing? This is not just going for a hike. In fact, forest bathing comes from the Japanese practise (shinrin-yoku) that is also known as forest therapy. By truly becoming one with nature and all of its glory, you can gain some significant health benefits from this practice.
1. Relaxation
Nature has an incredibly calming effect on people. When we connect with the forest and let all the stresses of our everyday life go, we’re able to truly relax. Excessive stress can cause a whole host of problems such as high blood pressure, heart problems, mood swings and many others.
2. Boosts Immunity
Another symptom of high stress is compromised immunity. Forest bathing actively reduces your stress load, which in turn helps promote your immune health.
3. Decreases Fatigue
Feeling sluggish, lacking energy, or constantly tired? Take a nice long stroll in the forest and let nature provide you with the energy boost you need. Our lives have plenty of distractions that drain us. Give yourself some much needed time to recoup in a
distraction-free environment.
4. Fresh Air
Our modern cities are filled with pollutants from vehicles, manufacturing, and even common household products. We need to pull ourselves out of that environment once in a while and enjoy what nature has to offer. Phytoncides, a chemical produced from pine trees, have studied benefits that increase the NK white blood cell's number and activity, aka our natural killer cells. These cells eliminate virus-infected cells in our body.
5. Decreased Blood Pressure
Once again, stress wreaks havoc on our bodies. Forest bathing promotes stress reduction, which directly relates to lowering your blood pressure. Exercising in forests and simply sitting looking at trees reduce blood pressure as well as the stress-related
hormones cortisol and adrenaline.
Nature clearly has a long-lasting effect on us. Will you try forest bathing in the near future and where would you like to go visit?
Sources:
[1.] Nature calms the brain and heals the body
[2.] Immerse Yourself in a Forest for Better Health
[3.] Science Agrees: Nature is Good For You
[4.] Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review