Benefits of Shinrin-yoku: Forest bathing, a natural way to lower stress, boost immunity, more

Benefits of Shinrin-Yoku: Forest bathing benefits include lower blood pressure, reduced heart rate, better lung function, and improved brain chemistry. It also helps reduce anxiety, depression, and an increased sense of well-being (Image: Canva)

Summer is the perfect time to rise with the sun and step outside, not to the gym or your usual city park, but into the peaceful trajectory of a forest. If you're planning a getaway, consider adding a nature walk or some time for forest bathing to your itinerary.

Forest bathing includes experiencing the rustle of leaves, the scent of bark and moss, the dappled sunlight, all of which are a part of the healing. They activate your parasympathetic nervous system, helping your mind rest and the  body unwind.

Also known by its Japanese name shinrin-yoku, forest bathing is a practice with real health benefits. Stepping away from our screen-saturated routines and into the calm of the woods can help you keep stress and worries away. According to a review in the National Institutes of Health (NIH), walking in forests may help improve both mental and physical well-being, especially in older adults.

Also read | From ikigai to shinrin-yoku, washoku and more, these 10 Japanese habits will help you stay energetic

The research reviewed 214 studies on forest therapy and its effects on adults over 60, whether healthy or managing medical conditions. Participants who engaged in forest walks experienced measurable benefits: lower blood pressure, reduced heart rate, better lung function, and improved brain chemistry. On the mental health front, older adults reported reduced anxiety, less depression, and an increased sense of well-being. In some cases, their outlook on life improved just from spending regular time among trees.

Mental and physical health benefits of forest bathing:

• Breathe in fresh air: When you walk through a forest and breathe deeply, your body relaxes, and stress levels gently begin to drop.

• Calm your busy mind: Nature helps slow down racing thoughts, making it easier to feel present and leave your worries behind for a while.

• Strengthen your immune system: Trees release natural oils into the air that can boost your body’s ability to fight off illness and infection.

• Lift your mood: Being around trees and birdsong naturally boosts your mood and helps ease feelings of sadness or anxiety.

• Sleep better: Spending quiet time in nature can help your body reset its sleep rhythm, so you drift off more easily at night.

• Improve focus: Taking a peaceful walk under trees gives your brain a proper break and helps you think more clearly afterwards.

• Lower blood pressure: A gentle stroll in the woods can reduce your heart rate and blood pressure, helping your heart stay healthy.

• Reduce body inflammation: Time in green spaces has been linked to lower inflammation, which helps your body feel better and stay stronger.