Forest Therapy Proves Powerful for Mental and Physical Health
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📰 The quick summary: Forest therapy provides evidence-based health benefits including reduced stress hormones, lower blood pressure, and improved immune function, helping people reconnect with nature for better mental and physical wellbeing.
📈 One key stat: Research shows forest therapy increases natural killer (NK) cell activity, which helps fight cancer and infections in the human body.
💬 One key quote: Today, medical professionals worldwide recognize forest therapy as an evidence-based public health practice. Many doctors now “prescribe” forest time to patients suffering from stress, anxiety, and certain physical conditions.
1️⃣ The big picture: A worldwide movement is bringing people back to forests to improve their mental and physical health. Forest therapy, originating from the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, involves guided immersion in wooded environments where participants engage all five senses. Led by trained guides, these sessions help people disconnect from technology while reducing stress hormones and activating the body’s relaxation response. Scientific studies confirm numerous health benefits, including lower blood pressure, improved immune function, and better sleep quality, making this practice increasingly popular as an evidence-based health intervention.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: Forest therapy offers a medication-free approach to improving health with no negative side effects. The practice reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex, explaining why participants experience clearer thinking after sessions. Beyond individual health benefits, regular forest immersion fosters a deeper connection with nature that often inspires conservation efforts. Even brief sessions in urban parks provide measurable improvements in mood and cognition, making this therapy accessible to city dwellers. As the International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance expands training programs worldwide (with growing sessions and focus across the US), more people gain access to this evidence-based practice.
3️⃣ What’s next: The growing interest in forest therapy helps raise awareness about forest protection while offering a powerful way to reconnect with nature. As climate change concerns intensify, personal connections formed during forest therapy may inspire more conservation action. Medical professionals continue integrating nature prescriptions into treatment plans, expanding this complementary approach to wellness.
Read the full story here: Happy Eco News – The Rise of Forest Therapy
