By Penelope A. Domogo, MD“In Qing Li’s study, the participants did a 2.5 kilometers walk through a forested area, in their usual pace. The beneficial effects on their health was still there after 1 week and even after a month, suggesting that one can do forest bathing once a month but better once a week. Of course, you still have to have physical activities every day. ”
Trust the Japanese to harness the potentials of nature for health and wellness. “Shinrin” is a Japanese word meaning “forest” and “yoku” means “bath” so “Shinrin-yoku” means “forest bathing”. “People in Japan started to practice forest bathing in the early 1980s out of the intuitive notion that spending time surrounded by greenery was good for them.” (morethantokyo.com). This was to counter the stresses of urban life there. “The practice was christened “shinrin-yoku” in 1982 by the Director General of the Agency of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in a dual campaign to encourage people to visit forests for their health and also as a means of protecting the forests. If people spent time in forests,… they would be more likely to want to protect them”. True true.
This forest bathing is not about literally taking a bath in the forest. It is not exercise, hiking or jogging. It is simply connecting with the forest using our 5 senses- sight, sound, smell, touch and taste.
Sense of sight – the forest scene with tall trees, green colors of the leaves, brown color of the
earth, orange color of the lichens
Sense of sound – different bird sounds, rustling of the leaves, rushing of water in streams
Sense of smell – it’s amazing, but you can smell the pleasant aroma of fresh air! This is aromatherapy! In Yellow Trail, we smelled freshly cut grass! Trees and plants also emit volatile healing essential oils called phytoncides which boost increase our immune system.
Sense of touch – hug a pine tree and feel the bark, touch the dewy leaf (if you are early enough)
Sense of taste – there are a lot edible forest products in the tropics- wild berries (agubangbang)
edible leaves like pongpong or teas, you can taste resin in the pine needle.
In short, forest bathing is immersing our whole being in the forest and this is what promotes health, prevents and heals disease.
Thank you to modern technology, Qing Li, MD, PhD, clinical professor in Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, Japan did a very interesting research entitled “Effects of Forest Environment (Shinrin-yoku/Forest Bathing) on health promotion and disease prevention- the Establishment of Forest Medicine” (published in Environmental Health & Preventive Medicine Nov. 2022) and measured levels of our immune cells and other parameters. This study showed that forest bathing increases our immune cells which are important in defending us from bacteria, viruses and tumors. He was also able to measure phytoncides, essential oils emitted by trees that when smelled reduce blood levels of stress hormones! With less stress hormones, we feel more relaxed and calm and even blood pressure and heart rate can go down. Forest bathing increases vigor and reduces negative emotions such as anxiety, anger, depression, fatigue and confusion. It can facilitate rehabilitation of stroke or injury patients. This is the importance of parks with good wheelchair access.
In Qing Li’s study, the participants did a 2.5 kilometers walk through a forested area, in their usual pace. The beneficial effects on their health was still there after 1 week and even after a month, suggesting that one can do forest bathing once a month but better once a week. Of course, you still have to have physical activities every day.
What if there is no forest in your city? Studies show you can have a virtual forest bathing with the screen. Or plant some trees in your garden. But best if we can have the big trees. Calling on our political leaders to invest in public health by maximizing available space for tree-lined parks and walkways and bike lanes. Never mind those huge play equipment & huge statues or commercial buildings. And let us protect our remaining forests.***
================================
“For the spirit that God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7**
