It’s well established that “forest bathing” offers numerous psychological benefits, like alleviating stress and anxiety, but recent studies indicate that it may also help in lowering blood pressure and reducing inflammation, thereby enhancing physical health.

This practice, known as Shinrin Yoku, entails deep breathing and immersing oneself in nature while being aware of the surrounding sights, sounds, and scents.

Iwao Uehara from Tokyo University of Agriculture and his team aimed to delve deeper into the advantages of this practice by studying 36 adults aged between 60 and 80 who had high blood pressure.

Out of these, 24 participants engaged in a soothing hike lasting about 3.5 hours each day over the course of three days and two nights in the tranquil Qianjiangyuan National Park, China. They also took part in a one-hour guided mindfulness meditation session.

Additionally, they participated in Qigong, a traditional Chinese exercise characterized by slow, deliberate movements, along with a daily hour-long tea ceremony, enhancing their overall experience of forest bathing.

The researchers assigned 12 participants to urban living conditions, where they engaged in similar walking activities near their hotel and partook in a day-long group mindfulness meditation.

Both groups adhered to the same activity and sleep schedules and consumed identical meals, while the use of electronic devices, smoking, alcohol, and caffeine was forbidden during the study.

Heart rate, blood pressure, and C-reactive protein levels—a marker of inflammation—were measured in all participants before and after the intervention.

Results showed that those in the forest bathing group exhibited significantly reduced blood pressure and C-reactive protein levels in comparison to their urban counterparts. Additionally, a marked increase in heart rate variability was observed, which is associated with heart health. Higher scores correlate with better heart health.

“Forest therapy is a cost-effective and sensible treatment option for individuals with high blood pressure,” states Uehara. Researchers theorize that forest bathing may help soothe the nervous system and improve heart and circulatory health.

The forest group also reported notable decreases in anxiety and stress, along with enhanced energy levels compared to the urban group.

However, Julia Goffke of Virginia Tech pointed out that the study did not track the number of steps taken by the groups, suggesting that greater mobility among the forest bathing participants could explain some of the improved outcomes.

Nonetheless, the findings reinforce previous evidence that “being in a forest environment lessens stress-induced physiological and emotional reactions,” adds Gohlke.