Shinrin Yoku: how the art of forest bathing can benefit your health

Ryan Carey
Aug 26, 2017 · 3 min read

森林浴 (Shinrin-yoku)

In Henry David Thoreau’s 1861 treatise “Walking” Thoreau argues that the benefit of walking does not come from the physical act of walking to a destination but instead comes from mastering the art of “sauntering”, allowing us to connect with nature.

Shinrin-yoku, a Japanese phrase literally “forest bathing” is the practice which encourages immersion within nature, disconnecting oneself from civilisation and technology for brief periods for therapeutic benefit.

From 2004 to 2013 the Japanese government invested over 4 million US dollars dedicated to research on shinrin-yoku and the results are extremely positive.

A study conducted on 280 people, by Bum Jin Park et al. in 2010 found that the average concentration of salivary cortisol — a stress hormone directly related to stress levels — in people who looked at forest scenery for 20 minutes was 13.4 percent lower than that of people in who spent time in an urban environment.

“These results will contribute to the development of a research field dedicated to forest medicine, which may be used as a strategy for preventive medicine.”

- Bum Jin Park et al., 2010

Not only are the benefits psychological, but physiological, too. Research published in the Environmental health and Preventative Medicine journal in 2009 identified that a trip to the forest can improve human immune function. In particular, forest bathing showed improvements in the number of immune cells, including NK cells and T lymphocytes. These effects lasted as long as 30 days. Additionally, mean concentrations of adrenaline, another marker of stress, were seen to be significantly lower.

As a medical student in the UK, to me it seems clear that the NHS requires a colossal shift towards preventative medicine to prevent financial collapse and to ensure sustainability. In a time where life expectancy is increasing, whilst morbidity is too, the use of preventative medicine is essential. To reduce the levels of inactivity, reduce sugar intake and address other major problems with modern western diets.

The NHS must aim to educate and encourage patients to make decisions to better their health through simple lifestyle modifications. Though perhaps forest bathing is not the number one priority, nor number two or three, forest may provide a useful tool for some. It is a two-pronged sword: not only can it contribute to stress reduction and psychological benefit, but the recommendation of getting out in nature could help the epidemic of inactivity the UK faces.

Clearer, more thorough research is needed, but there’s little to lose by getting out for a walk in nature if you have time.

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Ryan Carey

23. Medical student, living in London UK.

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