The term 'forest bathing' is becoming more and more of a normal ritual as opposed to its once 'day-experience' tag. But what exactly does it mean to take a forest bath?
Well, to start, it means just being there- among trees and plants in the forest. It may be a nature trail, national park, or hidden woods (safe and familiar to you). In a moment of luck, you may also find some animals, bugs, birds or yet, find rivers, waterfalls, and clear springs where you may actually wet a toe (of course, you should have prepared your swimming gears)!
In an ideal situation, you should be able to enjoy your wellness moment at least once a week. However, if due to tight work schedules and busy daily living you are unable to make time for a stroll, then it is important to have at least one day in a month to go out there, breathe in the air, and feel elevated amidst nature.
1. Breathe In that Oxygen!
Yes, trees breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. Oxygen- which we humans need to breathe in to stay alive! For a fact, one single mature tree can release enough oxygen to support two human beings.. Now imagine being in a forest with countless mature trees!
2. Phytoncides
Trees and plants produce chemicals called phytoncides which are natural oils that they use to defend themselves against unwanted microbes and insects or bugs.
Studies show that phytoncides improve the human immune system by increasing natural killer cell activity. These cells respond quickly to virus-infected cells and tumor formation.
It is found that increased natural cell activity can last for more than 30 days after a trip to a forest, suggesting that a trip once a month would enable you to maintain a higher level of natural killer cell activity.
3. Reduced Mental Fatigue
Research shows that being exposed to natural environments restores mental energy and that nature (lakes, waterfalls, trees, flowers, plants, birds, etc), including scents from the forest gives the brain a boost.
Spending time in the natural sphere enables our brains to switch off and reboot, allowing to boost and focus better when we return to work or study.
Today, it has not only become important for us to review our impact on our natural surroundings, but it is essential for our survival. Reforestation and maintaining our trees are main issues that we can address on our own individual levels.
- Sources
- McAliney, Mike. Arguments for Land Conservation: Documentation and Information Sources for Land Resources Protection, Trust for Public Land, Sacramento, CA, December 1993.
- Nowak, David J.; Hoehn, Robert; Crane, Daniel E. Oxygen Production by Urban Trees in the United States. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 2007. 33(3):220–226.
- Stancil, Joanna Mounce. The Power of One Tree - The Very Air We Breathe. U.S. Department of Agriculture. March 17, 2015.
- Villazon, Luis. How many trees does it take to produce oxygen for one person? BBC Science Focus Magazine.
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