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Mental Health and Healthy Aging – Prevention and Management
Published in Goh Cheng Soon, Gerard Bodeker, Kishan Kariippanon, Healthy Ageing in Asia, 2022
In Japan, there is the tradition of shinrin-yoku, a term that means “taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing.” The group Shinrin-Yoku.org lists the effects of shinrin yoku as:
Horticultural therapy, related people–plant programs, and other therapeutic disciplines
Published in Rebecca L. Haller, Karen L. Kennedy, Christine L. Capra, The Profession and Practice of Horticultural Therapy, 2019
Rebecca L. Haller, Karen L. Kennedy
Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” is a practice that occurs in an undisturbed natural place—specifically a forest—although the forest may be adjacent to an urban area, it may be one step away from wilderness on the continuum. Walking in a forest environment has been shown to boost mood, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and be more effective in producing these outcomes than walking in an urban area (Li et al. 2011). There appears to be significance in the place of the activity. Researchers have looked not only at the restorative qualities of this environment but also at the effect of inhaling the aromatic compounds that are released by trees, which may reduce stress and blood pressure (Li et al. 2009). Forest therapy guides use mindfulness approaches to promote wellness. The practice typically serves the general population but may be integrated into psychotherapy or other practices.
Anxiety
Published in Carolyn Torkelson, Catherine Marienau, Beyond Menopause, 2023
Carolyn Torkelson, Catherine Marienau
We can all relate to the beauty and healing nature of the outdoors, whether it be turquoise ocean waters, a snowcapped mountain range, or a birch tree forest. Forest therapy, also known as “Shinrin-Yoku” or Japanese forest bathing, is the practice of spending time in forested areas for the purpose of enhancing health, wellness, and happiness. In The Outdoor Adventurer’s Guide to Forest Bathing, Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller, MD, describes ways of spending time in nature that invite healing interactions.11 A framework for the practice requires the following elements: Your intention to connect with nature in a healing wayYour patience to not rush through the experienceYour focused and generous attentionYour commitment to going beyond a one-time eventYour mindset that the experience is not just about taking a walk but about deepening a relationship with nature by incorporating certain practicesGuides certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy lead outdoor adventures and forest bathing experiences. Even without a guide, simply taking a mindful walk in a natural setting can do wonders for the soul. The power of the earth’s resources to lighten your spirit and calm anxious thoughts is available to all of us.
Campus community gardens and student health: A case study of a campus garden and student well-being
Published in Journal of American College Health, 2022
This case study sought to explore a relationship between a feeling of connection to nature and student wellness among campus garden volunteers. Our analysis revealed that a sense of connection to nature was a significant predictor of general wellness. The human-nature connection is recognized for its restorative quality in many cultures. For example, in Japan, Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) has been studied and found to be associated with lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate, lower blood pressure, greater parasympathetic nerve activity, and lower sympathetic nerve activity.76 Other studies have found similarly positive results of spending time in natural settings, which can be, at least in part, attributed to feeling connected to the natural world. Such feelings of connection to nature, to something larger than ourselves is also central to spiritual experiences that are commonly reported among outdoor recreationists.77