Some people often complain that they are in constant stress, and they have absolutely no idea how to deal with it. In Japan, a method was invented - Shinrin-yoku, which is based on communication with nature and taking "forest baths". Using this method helps to quickly and effectively release the internal tension caused by stress.
What kind of "forest baths" did the Japanese come up with? How can it help combat stress?
Most people understand that nature has a beneficial effect on a person, relaxes, relieves stress, calms, restores the emotional background and psychological state. It is not for nothing that all sanatoriums, rest homes, pioneer camps were previously built on an area completely surrounded by trees, or in a forest where nothing can interfere with rest.
Taking walks in a park or forest, a person recovers strength, is saturated with new energy, begins to breathe in a completely different way and seems to move away from all the problems that could disturb his peace of mind. The power of nature is limitless and it can truly heal body and soul.
Only in Japan was it officially recognized that communication with nature, especially with trees, brings tremendous benefits to human health, has a beneficial effect on his psyche. In this country, a new therapy was invented called Shinrin-yoku, which means "bathing in the forest."
For the "forest bath" you do not need any additional skills, abilities and tools, you also do not need a towel and soap. You just need to walk between the trees, enjoy the walk and feel how you become a part of nature.
In 1982, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture coined the term Shinrin-yoku to educate people in detail about how their physiological and psychological health is improved by using natural sounds and smells.
In 2004, the Association for Forest Therapeutic Effects was established in Japan, and three years later, the Society for Forest Medicine. These are officially recognized organizations, branches of which were later established in Finland, as a country that pays the most attention to the interaction of nature and man.
Shinrin-yoku, like many practices, including yoga and meditation, came to Europe from the East. This practice differs from conventional hiking or walking. She focuses on the therapeutic aspect of contact with nature. This effect has been officially confirmed after a series of studies conducted in Japan.
Japanese scientists have published several reports on the topic of human health improvement with the help of "forest baths". Studies have shown that walking in the forest for twenty minutes lowers the stress hormone cortisol by about 20%, lowers blood pressure by 2%, and heart rate drops by about 4%. Being in the forest for three days increases the activity of cells responsible for the immune system by about 50%.
The use of "forest baths" lowers the glucose level in people with diabetes. The experiment was carried out for two years, more than a thousand people took part in it. The average age of the participants is 21 years.
In Japan and South Korea, the practice of Shinrin-yoku is recognized as official medicine. Doctors direct their patients to special walks along prepared routes laid in the forest zone.
A theory has been put forward that such an amazing effect from "forest baths" is due to the fact that plants secrete phytoncides - antimicrobial substances. A person who inhales phytoncides fills the body with these useful substances, as a result of which he relaxes and feels more relaxed. There is no proof of this theory yet, but it is of interest to many experts, although it is believed that the concentration of phytoncides is too low to affect human health.
Why Shinrin-yoku has a positive effect is not yet fully understood. However, all over the world, this practice is starting to become more popular. "Associations for nature and forest therapy" are organized in many countries, including: USA, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa.
