The basis of taking in the healing qualities of nature is to be in nature. Most of us spend greater than 90% of each day inside. While nature parks and greenspaces for sports and relaxing inspire people to visit and spend time outside, the many health benefits are increased while on a forest therapy walk.
Nature provides optimal environments for healing. Pleasant sounds, phytoncides, enriched oxygen emitted by tree’s, increased exposure to biodiversity and reduced exposure to violence gives us a preventative boost to our immunity. It no wonder we feel so good after time spent in nature
Research studying the effects of guide-led forest therapy walks indicates the following positive impacts
- boosted immunity
- reduced blood pressure
- increased heart rate variability
- faster recovery from surgery
- mood stabilization
- reduced impacts of ADD
- arrested growth of tumors
Stress
By connecting to nature using our senses; smell, touch, sight and sound our pace of life begins to slow down to match that of the natural world. Our parasympathetic system becomes engaged allowing for rest, digest and healing in our bodies. The fight or flight response we feel throughout most of our day to day activities, triggered by social media, a never ending to do list and long work days add up to overwhelm our nervous system.
Measuring stress in our bodies before and after a forest walk shows how we are able to increase our parasympathetic system to overcome our fight or flight responses. Cortisol a stress hormone is released when we are anxious or under stress and by measuring this hormone present in our bodies we can tell what best decreases cortisol. Time spent in a forest was proven to lower both adrenaline and cortisol
HRV (Heart Rate Variability) an tests and measures how our nervous system in functioning. HRV measures the variation in time between each heart beat. Increasing HRV means we have a more dynamic heart that is able to respond more quickly to both situations of rest and relaxation and fight or flight or in response to vigorous exercise. This measurement of our heart rhythms can tell us if our immune system is working great or if we are stressed and out of balance. Forest therapy walks help to regulate the HRV and resets our nervous systems.
Phytoncides
Our sense of smell is most important for taking in all the benefits of trees in a forest. To breathe in the forests natural aromatherapy of phytoncides is so beneficial to boosting our immune systems.
Phytoncides are natural oils within a plant and part of trees defense system. By releasing these oils into the air, the trees are protecting themselves from bacteria, insects and fungi. Studies measuring NK cells in our bodies has proven that exposure to phytoncides increases the amount and activity of NK cells in our bodies. Natural Killer cells a type of white blood cell are responsible for recognizing and killing stressed cells in the absence of antibodies allowing for a faster immune reaction. A possible potential for cancer therapy!
Forest therapy walks led in areas rich with phytoncides (forests with conifers and oaks in particular) for 2 hours or more exposes us to the powerful gifts we can receive from the trees. A three hour walk results in boosted immunity for seven days!
The Feel Good Microbe – Mycobacterium baccae
discovered by an oncologist, Dr. Mary O’Brien while conducting an experiment on lung cancer and the Mycobacterium microbe. This microbe found in forest soil was discovered to improve patient quality of life. Higher energy levels and better cognitive functioning. The smell of soil stimulates the immune system and improves mood. I always encourage everyone to go out in the garden or forest and get your hands dirty lean over and smell the soil, your body will thank you for it!
The Healing Soundscape
Gentle natural sounds not only lower our blood pressure and increase HRV but they help us heal. The babbling brook, waves pounding on a beach, the sweet sound of bird song, the gentle whisper of wind through the leaves all increase our overall sense of wellbeing.
Listening to bird song actively re-wires our brains, reducing blood pressure, lowering heart rate, reducing stress and improving our mood. Consistent exposure to bird song leads to being more alert and better able to concentrate. The explanation is our biology is wired to use bird song to make us aware of predators and safety.
Patterns of Sight
Fractals, natural patters occurring in nature like snowflakes, spider webs and clouds move our brain into the alpha wave state. This state is characterized by rest, relaxation and feelings of peace, helping to peal away our layers of stress.
Forest Therapy Guiding 