Have you ever heard about tree therapy? Tree therapy is just as it sounds – therapy in the form of spending time outside in nature surrounded by trees. This form of therapy is often referred to as forest bathing and it’s been a powerful type of therapy for many. While not all doctors would prescribe tree therapy, it’s huge in Japan. And for good reason!
Did you know that Japan has 62 healing forests? There are miles and miles of forest bathing trails. Japan was actually the first country to implement forest bathing. In order to increase the quality of life of their people, Japan made forest bathing a widespread activity.
Japan found that spending time in nature, being present, taking walks, and surrounding yourself with trees may help you unlock your full potential.
In this post, we will cover the benefits of tree therapy and a brief history of its origins.
A Brief History of Tree Therapy
We’ve called it tree therapy but you may also find that people will call this practice forest therapy or Shin-rin-yoku. Shin-rin-yoku is a japanese word for forest bathing.
The Japanese government first introduced forest bathing in 1982. By doing so, they encouraged their citizens to use the 3,000 miles of trail to experience nature and bathe in the forest. They valued spending time in nature and found lots of benefits in natural environments because they can make meaningful changes in one’s life.
In Japan, a trail must be evaluated by a professional forest therapy guide in order for it to be coined a forest therapy road. Some of the requirements include gentle slopes, wider walking paths, and a leisurely walking environment.
While we would love for everyone to experience the healing forests of Japan, we know that it might not be possible for some. Hence, we still would love for you to get out and spend time in nature!
You can create your own tree therapy ritual that involves immersing yourself in nature, and letting go of life’s challenges.
And if you want, you can even read up on forest bathing by reading one of the most well-known tree therapy books: Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness by Dr. King Li. This book highlights all the wonderful benefits of forest bathing and provides scientific evidence for the benefits.
There’s something so special about spending time in nature and it may help people reach their fullest potential. This small and simple healthy change could make a major impact on your life!
Let’s Dig into the Benefits of Forest Bathing
Below you’ll find a list of benefits. At the end of the post, we link the sources for all these wonderful benefits.
- Your blood pressure may decrease
- Your pulse rate may slow or reduce
- Your metabolism can actually speed up
- You may benefit from lowers stress hormones – cortisol and adrenaline
- Forest bathing enhances the parasympathetic system so you can rest and recover
- There’s a chance you’ll experience improved attention and focus
- When in nature, you’ll likely experience an improved mood
- Forest therapy can boost your immune system
- It can also improve sleep
- The effects of tree therapy can extend beyond the immediate experience, providing lasting benefits to mental health and well-being when done frequently
- It can also increase social connections and support. Forest therapy programs often incorporate group activities and social interactions, which can help improve social connections and support networks.
- Tree therapy can be accessible to everyone because you just need to spend time outdoors
- Tree therapy can be a fun and enjoyable experience. Forest therapy programs often incorporate activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and mindfulness exercises, which can make the experience enjoyable and engaging.
Overall, tree therapy offers a unique and effective approach to improving mental health and well-being. By spending time among trees and in nature, we can reap the numerous benefits of this therapeutic practice.
If finding your way to a healing forest isn’t in the cards, you may want to consider adding air plants to your home! You’ll still benefit from the addition of plants to your home!
Final Thoughts
We think everyone can benefit from tree therapy! You’ll be able to step away from life’s challenges and completely immerse yourself in a beautiful environment. And while we aren’t certified arborists, adults and children of all ages can benefit from this type of immersive therapy.
Note: if you are in need of therapy services, please seek help from a licensed professional counselor. Tree therapy can be a beneficial way to improve your mood but if you are in need of medical advice, please contact a medical professional.
Sources
- (https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature#:~:text=From%20a%20stroll%20through%20a,upticks%20in%20empathy%20and%20cooperation.)
- https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/nature-and-mental-health/how-nature-benefits-mental-health/)
- https://www.fo-society.jp/quarter/cn49/62forest_across_japan.html
- https://qz.com/1208959/japanese-forest-medicine-is-the-art-of-using-nature-to-heal-yourself-wherever-you-are
- ( https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/90720.html)
- https://www.fo-society.jp/therapy/cn45/index_en.html
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