So Forest Bathing Really Does Work?
Over this past summer, my friend Minwoo spent some time in the rural areas of Minnesota. After his month-long trip, he returned telling me that he has been “enlightened” and undergone a serious “transformation.” When I heard from him, I immediately took it as a joke and assumed that there was no way he would change so drastically. Admittedly he was mostly joking when he told me this, but upon his arrival, I couldn’t help but notice that my friend had actually become a more peaceful and rational person. Gone was my confrontational and temperamental friend, and what emerged was a man changed simply from nature.
This phenomenon is known as “forest bathing,” a practice originating in Japan called shinrin-yoku. It literally means bathing in the forest atmosphere, hence the name “forest bathing.” During this time, individuals are detached from any outside distractions and take in only the nature surrounding them. Doing so can “restore our mood, give us back our energy and vitality, refresh and rejuvenate us.” This makes it all the more important to spend some time in nature and take in what we as a society have lost in the past few decades. However, what exactly about nature makes it so refreshing for us when we are surrounded by it?
A similar activity, known as tree-hugging, shows that an increased level of the hormone oxytocin is released when we make physical contact with a tree. Oxytocin is responsible for lowering stress and anxiety due to it providing a warm or fuzzy feeling. As ridiculous as it sounds, tree-hugging has become a popular activity for those who want to feel relaxed and calm after especially stressful times. A similar effect may result from forest bathing, which acts under a similar principle, although physical contact with the trees/forest is not involved. Additionally, forest bathing has been found to “lower blood pressure, heart rate, and levels of harmful hormones–like cortisol, which your body produces when it’s stressed.” It is evident that forest bathing has positive effects on our mind and body, and this can be extended to just spending time in nature in general, not just in a forest. It appears that nature has a positive, biological effect on our minds so that we become happier people.
After asking my friend Minwoo about his personal experiences, he told me that he felt “calm,” “serene,” and most interestingly “motivated.” As a cross-country runner, Minwoo felt more motivated to run and train after spending time in nature over the summer. After months of stress from confining himself to studying, a few weeks of detachment from screens and studying allowed him to reconnect with his environment. After hearing this, I couldn’t help but think that some time in nature is exactly what we all need. Society as a whole has become too preoccupied with technology and work that we fail to acknowledge what is always around us. It is common to see people obsess over one thing that we lose track of what is more important like mental health, relationships with friends and family, and well-being. Forest bathing could potentially help remediate this issue. Additionally, this aspect of motivation could help students too, boosting productivity and focus. Studies have even shown how "just a few moments of green can perk up a tired brain." Perhaps it is time for society to recognize the value nature has. It wouldn’t hurt to take more frequent walks outside or even study outdoors instead of being holed up in the confines of your room. Maybe after some time forest bathing ourselves, we can experience the same transformation that Minwoo underwent over the past summer.