More Info
The study: “The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan”Where to find it: ncbi.nlm.nih.govLearn more: shinrin-yoku.org
It’s Saturday morning. You’ve reached the end of the workweek, and the beginning of a trail.
As you take your first step off the gravel parking lot and on the mossy, pine-covered ground, you look up at the swirling sunbeams that encompass the bare winter trees, all the while taking deep breaths of the chilly morning air. The trail promises seclusion, a chance to reset from the long week. But more than that, it promises the tantalizing possibility of revitalization, invigoration in the form of solitude as you make your way down Mother Nature’s path.
Such a simple walk in the woods may do even more good than you think.
According to recent studies from Chiba University in Japan which studied the physiological effects of time spent immersed in nature (called Shinrin-yoku in Japanese), benefits can mean lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, lower blood pressure, lower pulse rate and more.