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Nature’s therapeutic effects have always been known empirically, and especially in countries like Japan, this knowledge has always been valued1. However, scientific data to support this “knowing” was lacking. Fortunately, in recent decades much research has been performed and data has surfaced to back up the ancient wisdom of what is called “nature therapy.”
Nature therapy is defined as “a set of practices aimed at achieving ‘preventive medical effects’ through exposure to natural stimuli that render a state of physiological relaxation and boost the weakened immune functions2.”
However, nature therapy cannot be considered another medical or pharmacological intervention, since its effects are not specific. Immersing oneself in nature helps induce a state of relaxation, and the aim is to help improve the function of the immune system, prevent diverse illnesses, and maintain and promote health1.
Since its inception in the 1980s in Japan, the concept of nature therapy has attracted public interest, and its implementation has spread across the world. With this increased interest, research in this field has grown exponentially, to investigate the physiological effects of being in nature, and especially in forest environments. The goal is to back up ancient wisdom with scientific data and to gain insight into exactly what happens in the body and brain when we are in natural environments that benefit our health. The effects mostly studied as a result of physiological relaxation include “activities in the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system1.”
Research studies have been conducted in several forests across Japan to evaluate the physiological effects of forest bathing. The results show that forest environments promote3,4:
The findings of these and other studies, conducted both in males and females, show that forest therapy, whether through viewing or walking around a forest environment, contributes to a state of psychological and physiological relaxation1,3,4,5,6,7.
However, forest therapy seems to exert other beneficial effects, such as weight management, insulin sensitivity, diabetes prevention, and improved immune function. Studies show that walking in forests increases calorie consumption, improves insulin sensitivity, and decreases blood glucose levels8. Immune function shows marked improvements with forest therapy, with augmented natural killer (NK) cell activity, increased number of NK cells, and expression of anti-cancer proteins both in males and females9,10,11,12,13.
Developing zones with vegetation and water bodies within urban areas, also known as green and blue spaces, may be an alternative to access the benefits of nature for those who live in big cities. Green and blue spaces in urban areas “have the potential to affect health and behavior through the provision of aesthetic spaces for relaxation, socialization and physical activity13,” say the authors of a study that looked into the relationship between green and blue spaces with mental and physical health14.
For example, there seems to be a positive association between exposure to urban green space and the health of its residents. A study conducted in Tokyo, which is considered a “megacity,” showed that “living in areas with walkable green spaces positively influenced the longevity of urban senior citizens15.”
Furthermore, walking in urban parks was found to be beneficial by inducing physiological relaxation. Researchers have asked subjects to walk in urban park areas in the spring16, autumn17, and winter18, and the findings provide evidence for the physiological and psychological relaxation effects of walking in urban parks. These effects included:
Even just viewing nature, when compared to viewing buildings or parking lots, has been shown to promote a state of physiological relaxation by increasing parasympathetic nervous activity19,20, decreasing sympathetic nervous activity20, and improving mood states19.
A review of the research in Japan has found that some of the relaxation properties of nature therapy can also be observed when studying flowers and foliage plants, images of nature, plant and tree essential oils, and even in the use of wood, versus other materials, like metal and steel1.
Although many of these studies have some limitations, such as the short duration of the period of stimulation, small sample size, using only certain age groups, or the need to better understand the evaluation parameters utilized, the results are overall positive and supportive of the benefits of nature therapy1. And in our modern era, those benefits are now, more than ever, essential for quality of life!
Developing more urban green and blue spaces, especially in big cities, contributes to making the beneficial effects of nature more accessible to everyone.
Following Japan’s lead, and considering the growing disconnect from nature and less time spent in outdoor activities worldwide, many other scientists have dedicated their work to studying the benefits of spending time in nature for human health and well-being21.
A paper published in 2017 analyzed dozens of published articles and summarized the evidence-based health benefits of nature contact21:
The authors of this paper concluded that based on the evidence available to date, “nature contact offers considerable promise in addressing a range of health challenges, including many, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression, and anxiety, that are public health priorities21.” The benefits of nature contact are beneficial in the prevention and treatment of different health conditions, and provide a low-cost, practical, and safe approach to better health outcomes, among many other related benefits21. As stated by the authors of the above-mentioned article, “few medications can boast these attributes21.”
A review of the evidence on “Associations between Nature Exposure and Health,” published in 2021, “found evidence for associations between exposure to nature and improved cognitive function, brain activity, blood pressure, mental health, physical activity, and sleep22.”
Research is growing in the field of nature exposure and health, and the evidence to support the benefits of nature therapy is compelling and increasingly undeniable. One of the questions that arise is why we witness these improved health outcomes.
In 2016 the World Health Organization published a report titled “Urban green spaces and health: A review of evidence23” which suggested nine possible ways in which urban green and blue infrastructure can be related to better health outcomes. These included23:
These possible pathways may explain the positive impact of “urban nature” on human health and can help guide and better inform decision-makers, especially in what pertains to the development of city infrastructures and the implementation of more natural and health-friendly green and blue spaces.
At An Oasis of Healing, we believe that nature and movement play integral roles in healing. Our holistic program encourages patients to connect with the natural world, whether it’s through outdoor activities, mindful walks, or nature-based therapies like forest bathing.
These practices, combined with movement, such as yoga and gentle exercise, promote relaxation, boost the immune system, and support overall well-being. We understand that the healing process is deeply personal, and fostering this connection to nature and movement creates a space where individuals can truly thrive, both physically and emotionally.
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