A WALK IN THE PARK Proof of what we knew all along: Forest bathing is good for you

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Recently I read about something called “forest therapy” in a newspaper article. This was my first introduction to the fairly new term, but obviously this particular kind of “therapy” is nothing new. I would venture to say it has been around forever. I mean, really forever.

The crazy thing is that some professor from the University of Agriculture in Tokyo seems to be regarding this as a brand new thought. Earlier this year he established the Society of Forest Amenity and Human Health Promotion to support the idea that time spent with nature can make people feel better. Well, duh!

From what I can gather, this professor has decided that spending leisurely time around trees can have “revitalizing effects” for those with physical and psychological illnesses. He is so convinced that he now takes groups to the forest to sit under trees and relax as a form of treatment. Count me in!

The newspaper article recounted the writer’s experience as a member of one of these treatment sessions. Each person in the group chose a tree of his or her liking and sat quietly at the base of it for a half hour or so. Not surprisingly, participants in these “forest bathing” activities - seriously, that’s what it is called - reported benefits such as “exhilaration and overall reduction of feelings of tension, fatigue and depression.” Imagine that!

OK, I am being a little sarcastic here, but I do find it somewhat comical when somebody with a Ph.D. gets attention for figuring out something as obvious as this. My mother, with her GED knew that stretching an old quilt out on the ground and sitting under a big old oak tree was a good way to relieve the stress brought on by the overwhelming duties of raising six kids. Maybe Mom’s all natural stress-busting, antianxiety treatment would have gained worldwide attention if she had given it an intriguing name like “forest bathing.”

But the idea, of course, goes way back before my mother’s time. In fact, I can’t help but think it was God’s idea from the very beginning with the whole Garden of Eden setting. If the plan hadn’t been derailed by the first inhabitants, maybe all of us would be taking peaceful walks underneath the trees on a daily basis. Sounds good to me.

With a little research, I found what I suspected. Yes, at least one study has been conducted to confirm the therapeutic effects of “forest bathing.”

This research project,completed back in 2005 sent one small group of young men to live in a forested area for two days - think college boys on the Elk River - and another to live in an urban area. Each group was provided similar lodging and meals, so the main difference in their experiences was their environments. Afterwards, the study team measured the stress levels of all the participants. They tested chemical composition of saliva, measured brain activity and gathered pulse and blood pressure readings. I don’t have to tell you what they concluded.

Results led to the decision to work with other organizations to develop “Therapeutic Forest Centers” in Japan.

This is all fine and dandy, but this research group could have saved a lot oftime and, I am guessing, a hefty sum of money while drawing the same conclusion by simply talking to somebody like my mother. It wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun for the boys who got to spend two days in the woods, I know, but it would have confirmed the obvious.

I guess the main thing to remember in all of this is to take time to get out and spend some time under the trees. Take a hike every chance you get and do a little “forest bathing.” Especially now that we know it is good for us!

Annette Rowe is a freelance writer and a speech/language pathologist at Siloam Springs High School. She may be reached by email at awalkinthepark50 @ yahoo.com.

Opinion, Pages 6 on 10/27/2010