Some have defined them as a passing fad, but scientifically, it has been proven that forest baths, forest therapy, or Shinrin Yoku (the technique’s original name, since it is of Japanese origin) provide many wonderful health benefits. At La Posada de Boimouro, we have recently implemented this activity, and we are going to tell you about it, but first, for those who do not know it, we are going to explain what it consists of.
What are forest baths?
Forest bathing or Forest therapy is a wellness practice that transports people to a deeper intimacy with nature. Of Japanese origin (the translation of its original name, Shinrin Yoku, literally means absorbing the atmosphere of the forest), it has a marked sensorial character since, through the senses, we can hear, touch, and feel the natural environment surrounding us.
One of its objectives is the possibility of connecting with the environment and, in turn, with ourselves, providing us with a multisensory connection with nature. Forest therapy has many excellent health benefits, which we will discuss below.
1- Improves mental health
The first effect of forest bathing is the improvement of perceived health and well-being, which is called the co-therapeutic effect and has to do with improving mental health. In this sense, we are talking about an increase in positive mood, decreasing the amount of stress hormones, increasing the activation of the parasympathetic system, resulting in better sleep quality, restoration of attention, stimulation of creativity, and less cognitive impairment.
2- Reduces stress
In Japan, forest therapies are already included in traditional medicine to help reduce stress, as they have been shown to reduce the concentration of the hormone that causes this state, cortisol.
An excess of this hormone over a prolonged period can cause depression, anxiety, lack of concentration, and even heart or digestive problems. Hence, the importance of this therapy is that it helps reduce cortisol levels in the blood.
3- Improves cognitive ability
When we talk about cognitive abilities, we are referring to the skills through which we learn, memorize, or pay attention. Contact with nature improves concentration, attention, and creativity, as well as enhancing the ability to perform tasks and productivity.
4- Strengthens the immune system
This therapy improves the immune system and our body’s defenses and cleanses and replenishes the cells with oxygen. In addition, breathing the essential oils emitted by trees increases Natural Killer or NK cells, which protect us from cancer and infections.
5- Protects heart health
Calmly walking through a natural environment, contemplating the surroundings, and perceiving the smells and sounds it offers slows the heart rate and reduces blood pressure, contributing to the cardiovascular system’s well-being.
6- Relieves pain
Another benefit of forest bathing is that it helps strengthen bones and muscles, relieves joint pain, and improves mobility. There are even studies that prove that these baths, along with other therapies, help reduce pain in patients with chronic pain or fatigue.
7- Helps combat sleep disorders
The practice of Shinrin Yoku improves the quality of sleep. It has been proven that if practiced at dusk, it helps relaxation and produces a feeling of well-being that promotes rest in those with difficulty sleeping.
8- Purifies the respiratory system
Bathing like a forest and breathing its atmosphere provides better oxygenation to our body, eliminating toxins thanks to the absence of irritating agents and pollutants. It also purifies our lungs due to the high concentration of oxygen and the humidity of the air we breathe.
9- Reduces diabetes and helps to lose weight
Walking in the woods helps burn calories and reduces obesity, allowing us to walk twice as many steps as when jogging over a distance of no more than 5 km.
So-called forest medicine also contributes to reducing blood glucose levels or type 2 diabetes and lowering the mortality rate.
10- It causes a feeling of happiness
Working life, the city, and spending much of our time indoors or glued to a screen cause us stress and physical and mental fatigue. Forest baths are the best solution to these problems since contact with nature brings us calm, serenity, and inner peace.
Trees have positive effects that provide physical and mental well-being, making us happier.
This therapy allows you to connect with nature and travel towards calm, interacting with the environment according to your personality.
