Learn from the Japanese how to "heal" with the forest

(Dan Tri) - A Japanese therapy called Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is increasingly recognized by Western science as a "medicine" for modern health problems.

Being close to nature helps lower blood pressure and reduce stress

Shinrin-yoku is a slow, meditative, intentional practice in which we disconnect from the hustle and bustle of life and digital devices to immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of the forest, using all five senses.

What matters here is not the distance covered but the quality of the connection, watching the sunlight through the leaves, listening to the birdsong, breathing in the scent of the damp soil and touching the rough bark of the trees.

"We are part of the natural world , but our modern lifestyle has pulled us away from it. Forest bathing simply brings us back home," explains Dr. Qing Li, one of the world's leading experts on forest therapy from Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, Japan.

More and more studies are proving the benefits of natural healing therapies (Photo: Scmp).

A meta-analysis in the journal Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine looked at 28 studies over a five-year period. The results showed that this therapy provides a comprehensive "prescription" for the body.

Specifically, this therapy can significantly lower blood pressure. For the nervous system, it reduces the concentration of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol in the blood. These are major factors causing chronic health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and immune system failure.

The biological mechanisms behind these benefits are slowly being elucidated, according to a recent study in the journal Forests.

Scientists explain that exposure to nature helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, increasing the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for rest and digestion) and reducing oxidative stress, two key factors in protecting cardiovascular health.

In addition to the physical benefits, the impact of forest bathing on mental health is also profound, especially in the context of modern society facing an "epidemic" of burnout.

For people working in high-pressure professions such as medicine , this therapy also brings surprising results.

A randomized controlled trial published in the medical information portal PubMed followed physicians and healthcare workers. Results showed that after just one three-hour guided forest bathing session, participants experienced significant reductions in signs of occupational burnout and emotional fatigue, as well as improved mood and reduced anxiety.

The impact of naturopathy goes beyond healing adults. When practiced early, it has the potential to shape the future.

A study in the journal Ecopsychology focused on high school students and found promising results. After just three forest bathing sessions over three weeks, students’ sense of connection to nature, gratitude, and concern for the environment all increased significantly.

"Prescribe" natural remedies

Living near green spaces brings many health benefits (Photo: TH).

According to Pubmed, it is these benefits of nature therapy that are prompting a new dialogue about public health policy. Doctors in Scotland can now "prescribe" patients to go for walks in nature.

In South Korea and Japan, government-certified forest healing centers have become part of the national health care system.

You don't have to go to a pristine forest to reap these benefits, though. Even urban green spaces serve as essential "public health infrastructure."

The World Health Organization (WHO) has long recognized the link between access to green space and lower rates of diseases, from heart disease to obesity to respiratory problems.

A 2023 study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that living near green space can reduce the risk of needing medication for psychiatric disorders. Urban parks help cool neighborhoods, filter polluted air, and more.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/hoc-nguoi-nhat-cach-chua-benh-bang-rung-20251022204554586.htm