If you go into the woods today ...

Walking in the forests, amongst nature, has a positive effect on the mind – it can calm and invigorate at the same time. It’s also great for contemplation. Psychologists have coined terms for walking into the woods, such as ‘forest bathing’ or biophilia or mood enhancer (The Guardian, October 25, 2015).

American biologist EO Wilson introduced the term, biophilia, in the mid-1980s, which is defined as humans having a deep affiliation with nature that is instinctive and rooted in our biology. In other words, we are naturally drawn to nature.

Psychologist Roger Ulrich found that patients recovering from surgery took less medicine for pain relief when their windows had a view of nature instead of a brick wall. He invented the term, environmental pyschology. This study has been replicated in many hospitals in many countries. While the research results are not yet conclusive, it does seem as though humans react positively to woods and forests both psychologically and physiologically. Other research has shown that spending time in nature improves cognition, reduces anxiety and depression, and enhances human empathy.

The term, forest bathing, originated from the Japanese word shinrin-yoku – meaning to go for a stroll in the ancient forest. There is also a study on how the magic of trees works on humans at a molecular level in our cells and neurons. Leisurely forest walks reduce heart rate and blood pressure, decrease sympathetic nerve activity, and lower levels of the stress hormone called cortisol.

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/oct/25/mood-enhancer-go-down-to-the-woods-today-depression

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