Spending time in nature—also known as forest bathing—is a practice that has been around for centuries, but is only now being studied by scientists. The evidence of its benefits to physical and mental health are becoming increasingly clear.
From reducing stress levels to boosting the immune system, there are numerous ways that spending time in nature can improve your wellbeing. In this article, we’ll explore some of these benefits and discuss how you can incorporate forest bathing into your life.
So if you’re looking for a way to relax and de-stress, or just want to reap the many other rewards of spending more time outdoors, read on!
Studies have shown that spending time in nature can reduce stress levels and improve overall wellbeing. This may be due to the calming effect of natural surroundings, as well as reducing exposure to environmental pollutants that can increase stress hormones. Forest bathing has also been associated with improved mood and better sleep quality, which are both important for a healthy lifestyle.
Immune system benefits are another advantage of forest bathing. Spending time in nature increases the activity of anti-cancer proteins, stimulates the production of white blood cells, and boosts levels of ‘natural killer’ cells that fight against viruses and bacteria. It is thought that these changes could potentially help protect us from illnesses like colds or even cancer.
In order to reap the rewards of forest bathing, it is important to take the time to properly engage and appreciate your natural surroundings. A walk in the woods can be a great way of doing this, as you’ll be able to focus on the sights, smells, and sounds of nature. If you’re short on time or unable to get outdoors, simply looking at photos of nature can have a similar calming effect.
By making an effort to spend more time in nature and really connect with your environment, you’ll be able to reap all the amazing benefits that forest bathing has to offer!