ENCHANTED ECO-THERAPY: THE PHENOMENA OF FOREST BATHING

“Between every two pine trees, there is a door leading to a new way of life.”

Many of us enjoy going out in nature for a walk among the streams, flowers, and trees because of the soothing sounds, fresh smells, and beautiful sights that we encounter. Yet we don’t often give a lot of thought to why our jaunts through the great outdoors make us feel more relaxed and vibrant. Luckily, a team of investigators in Japan was curious to discover if there are real, measurable health benefits to living a life inclusive of nature. The astonishing findings from their groundbreaking studies over the last 14 years have helped move a day at the park from a fun recreational event to a top-notch healthcare tool.

RESEARCHING A REMEDY

It all began in 2004 when researchers from the University of Chiba and Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, Japan were asked by officials to administer a revolutionary idea. Rather than create a traditional study, the Forestry Agency decided to have them bring the tools of their trade to 48 parks located throughout the country to find out more about the health of hikers in their area woods. Trekkers could voluntarily choose to have their vital statistics, such as blood pressure and hormone levels, checked at tents set up throughout the green spaces.

What the scientists found over their 14 years of research is that there are endless remedies all around us in the natural world that allow a simple walk among the trees to double as a healthcare treatment. The remedies inherent in the great outdoors are contained within the essential oils found in plants and wood, collectively known as phytoncides. These organic compounds have immune-boosting abilities that provide a whole host of positive health effects that include:

–  Reducing cortisol levels to ease stress
–  Lowering blood pressure
–  Improving sleep patterns and aiding digestion
–  Improving cognition levels
–  Reducing the risk of cancer
–  Increasing the ability to feel empathy

The phytoncides found in trees and greenery work by increasing the activity in NK cells, which are white blood cells responsible for stopping viruses, tumor growth, and the metastasis of cancer. Scientists also measured neuron responses after phytoncide exposure and found that the fight-or-flight response in the sympathetic nervous system is greatly reduced, while the parasympathetic nervous system that regulates rest and digestion is given a boost.

FOREST THERAPY GUIDED WALKS

One of the secrets that make forest bathing such a successful form of therapy is that it asks us to ‘let go’ of our goals in favor of just being for a while. Science has shown that the people who are the most accomplished in life structure their days to include taking breaks from their responsibilities. This syncs with the Japanese research: being amidst nature without getting caught up in counting miles or calories is the most effective method for boosting our energy and allows us to accomplish more later on.

The Japanese practice of forest bathing is not only spreading throughout their country, where 100 new forest therapy sites are planned over the next 10 years, but it has caught on in the U.S. as well.  The Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) is leading the way. This organization offers resources to find certified guides in your area, along with a 6-month training program for those interested in becoming forest bathing leaders. They have also gathered together some of the top research from both the ongoing studies in Japan and sister studies worldwide, to help better explain the healing benefits of this innovative and promising approach to wellness.

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