Forest bathing
A simple act of taking a walk in a forest like Kinghurst Forest (a form of preventative therapy called “forest bathing” or Shinrin-yoku) has proven to have many benefits:
Stress relief: Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress and improve overall mood.
Improved immune system: Exposure to forest environments has been linked to increased natural killer cell activity, which can boost the immune system.
Increased focus and creativity: Spending time in nature can improve cognitive function and enhance creativity.
Increased physical activity: Forest bathing often involves walking, hiking, or engaging in other light physical activity, which can have numerous health benefits.
Lee, Juyoung et al. “Effect of forest bathing on physiological and psychological responses in young Japanese male subjects.” Public health 125 2 (2011): 93-100.
Tsunetsugu, Yuko et al. “Trends in research related to “Shinrin-yoku” (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing) in Japan.” Environmental health and preventive medicine 15 1 (2010): 27-37.
Li, Qing et al. “Forest bathing enhances human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins.” International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology 20 2 Suppl 2 (2007): 3-8.
Park, Bum Jin et al. “The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan.” Environmental health and preventive medicine 15 1 (2010): 18-26 .
Hansen, Margaret M. et al. “Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review.” International journal of environmental research and public health (2017).
Cho, Kyoung Sang et al. “Terpenes from Forests and Human Health.” Toxicological research (2017).
Ohtsuka, Yoshikazu et al. “Shinrin-yoku (forest-air bathing and walking) effectively decreases blood glucose levels in diabetic patients.” International journal of biometeorology 41 3 (1998): 125-7.