Forest bathing (FB), also called Shinrin-Yoku (SY), is “a traditional Japanese practice of immersing oneself in nature by mindfully using all five senses.”
Known therapeutic effects are:
- Immune system function (increase in natural killer cells/cancer prevention)
- Cardiovascular system (hypertension/coronary artery disease)
- Respiratory system (allergies and respiratory disease)
- Depression and anxiety (mood disorders and stress)
- Mental relaxation (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
- Human feelings of “awe” (increase in gratitude and selflessness)
The concept of Nature Therapy (NT) is shown through the flow chart below:
Report says that “individuals living and interacting in green spaces (GS) report being more energetic, in good overall health and, have more of a sense of meaningful purpose in life.” The practice of installing GS in cities has “increased human health and promoted a sense of “calm” in a busy city.”
Reference
M. Hansen, Margaret & Jones, Reo & Tocchini, Kirsten. (2017). Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 14. 851. 10.3390/ijerph14080851.
I cannot agree more with the statement that GS in cities promote “calm” in a busy city filled with “technostress”. In a way, GS provides a retreat from the bustling city. I tend to make visits to the downtown harbour area for a walk after a busy day. Places I visit in central city overall lacks green, apart from the Albert Park or the Victoria Park area, but the harbour in a way provides an element of nature. I can perhaps bring in this experience in not only the forest bathing experience but also the bathhouse design.
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