Evidence for Forest Therapy

View of tall trees from below, with the sky visible through the canopy in a dense forest.

History

Forest therapy - known in Japan as Shinrin-yoku - began in 1982 as preventative healthcare introduced by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

While humans have long sought forests for relaxation, forest therapy is a structured, research-based therapy. Since 1982, growing scientific evidence has helped it spread globally, validating what many cultures have known intuitively: time in nature profoundly benefits our mental and physical health.

The Science of Phytoncides

Trees release phytoncides - natural compounds that protect from disease. When we breathe forest air, these compounds boost our immune systems by increasing natural killer (NK) cells. Studies demonstrate that exposure to phytoncides supports the body’s ability to combat illness. (Park et al., 2009)

Research shows that just 2 hours in a forest significantly reduces cortisol levels, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and improves mood and emotional wellbeing. (Meneguzzo et al., 2021)

Cognitive Benefits

  • Reduced stress and anxiety via lower cortisol levels

  • Improved mood and emotional balance

  • Enhanced mental clarity and sense of calm

Physical Benefits

  • Lower blood pressure and heart rate

  • Reduced chronic stress

  • Strengthened immune response

Cognitive Benefits

  • Improved focus and attention as the brain rests and recovers

  • Enhanced creativity - one study found a 27.74% increase after a 3-day forest therapy workshop (Yu & Hsieh, 2020)

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