How Does Forest Therapy Work?
Our culture of connection has evolved to become information in seconds, purchases delivered in hours, and shorter distances from our workloads. Staying connected is important but finding the right connection is an increasing struggle as everyone seems to be fighting for our attention. Processing, slowing, and pausing can be so pivotal for our growth and well being. We need to give ourselves this time to just be.
Along the way, most of us forgot how liberating play can be. Real play. No agenda, being led moment to moment through curiosities kind of play. Our days can be so tech centered we forget to nourish the human vessels behind the screens that make it all possible.
Whether you consider yourself an avid outdoor adventurer or a home body, the benefits of forest therapy benefit all. The sense of self is heightened, personal and professional pursuits function at higher levels, and you come back to yourself.
Forest therapy walks provide the space for our senses to stretch and breathe, to cultivate relationships with our natural world, and remember ourselves.
History of Forest Therapy
In the 1980s, the rapid urbanization and increase in stress associated with the transition to a tech-based economy led to Japanese researchers taking action to address this ever growing health concern. People were spending more time inside which they believed led to the spikes in cancer and autoimmune diseases.
One component of the research findings was the concept of phytoncides. When trees are attacked by fungus or other organisms, phytoncides are released to seek out or kill the attacking entity. As humans evolved alongside the forest, our bodies benefit from the inhalation of the natural diffusion of these chemicals. Upon inhalation, our body creates a white blood cell called a natural killer or NK cell. These NK-cells roam the body looking for cancer and destroying it. Identifying significance in these findings, the preventative treatment of Shinrin-yoku, “forest bathing” in phytoncides originated.
Other countries followed suit to adapt their own practices, America being one of them. Our scope of practice at the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy embodies the ideologies of preventative health benefits of forest bathing, mending the relationships with ourselves, the More-Than-Human World, and each other in an approachable and adaptable 2-3 hour in person or 90 minute virtual experience.
Research has been conducted for over 30 years to prove the benefits of forest therapy.
Proven Benefits
Reduced stress levels
Reduced blood pressure and lower heart rate
Increased clarity, critical thinking and problem-solving
Heightened decision-making abilities
Improvement to a sedentary lifestyle
An overall sense of connection and well-being
These benefits don’t take long to take effect, studies have shown that:
15 min in nature reduces your cortisol (stress hormone) levels by 12%
2 hours in nature increases your memory and attention span by 20%
3 days in nature increases your cancer-fighting blood cells by 56%
The Benefit of Taking a Guide
Given the fast paced nature of our lives and screen oriented outlets of connection, our minds will wander and get distracted. In order to reap the full benefits of forest therapy, a guide helps to focus and deepen the connection through the senses.
Because this way of being in the forest is new for many, it’s helpful to take a guide and learn techniques from an expert.
