Forest Therapy, as a holistic and integrative approach to recovery, holds immense potential for future-oriented therapeutical programmes and treatment plans for mental health challenges. By introducing nature into the therapeutical setting and creating a supportive environment for mindfulness, stress reduction, social connection, and self-exploration, Forest Therapy empowers people to cultivate resilience, foster well-being, and embark on lasting recovery and fulfillment.
Expert Corner with Nadine Gäschlin
From Forest Bathing to Forest Therapy – how did we get there
Forest Bathing, also known as Shinrin-Yoku in Japan, its country of origin, is a mindfulness-based group practice of immersing oneself in nature and engaging with the natural environment through different senses. It has been a part of Japan’s national preventive medicine system since the 1980s. Over the last 25 years, it has gained scientific recognition worldwide for its stress-reducing, mood-boosting, immune-stimulating, and regenerating effects on the body and mind.
In addition to its increasing recognition as a preventive medicine method over all continents, Shinrin-Yoku has, in recent years, been scientifically explored as a complementary therapeutic approach for treating depression, burnout, PTSD, addiction, and substance use. When practiced in a therapeutic setting by trained facilitators, following a standardised neuroscience-based sequencing of the activities and adopting a trauma-informed approach, Shinrin-Yoku, or Forest Bathing, is called Forest Therapy. Recent scientific research indicates that Forest Therapy can improve depression, anxiety, cravings, self-regulation, self-esteem, blood pressure, pulse, and heart rate variability and reduce rumination and cortisol levels in saliva.
Nature’s impact on mental health
Regularly spending time outdoors in natural green spaces, whether doing sports or leisurely enjoying nature or practicing meditation or mindfulness, improves nearly all mental health parameters. Thus, empowering clients during their clinic stay to integrate “a mindful dose of nature” into their daily lives at home is essential for a self-empowered and balanced future. The promising research results on Forest Bathing and Forest Therapy in recent years have led to global recognition of their potential in supporting individuals of all age groups on their personal journey of prevention or recovery while fostering long-term enhanced well-being.
A step-by-step guide to Forest Therapy and its benefits for recovery
1. The “WHERE”: choosing a calming nature setting
First, it is essential for a Forest Therapy session to choose a serene natural setting that contrasts the clinical environment and the stressors of modern life. The sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the forest or another tranquil natural setting can regulate the mood and induce a state of relaxation and calmness, providing relief from many of the daily triggers. In this peaceful environment, people can find solace and a sense of inner peace, which is crucial for recovery and overall well-being. Forestscapes activate the parasympathetic nervous system: They are defined as particularly soothing through reduced light and noise reduction, the calming color scheme, and the typical soundscape of birds, wind, rustling leaves, or flowing water.
Further, the specific smellscape of forests where phytoncides and other essential oils emitted by trees and plants are acknowledged to enhance our immune system, reduce stress, and lower cortisol levels. Finally, the sense of awe inspired by nature generally has a calming and regenerative effect on the nervous system. Forest Therapy can thus be a natural and accessible way to alleviate stress and promote relaxation and recovery for patients experiencing mental health challenges, supporting the coping with cravings and avoiding relapse or managing the symptoms of suboptimal mental health in general.
2. The “HOW”: practicing mindfulness and other grounding techniques
The key element of Forest Therapy is the practice of mindfulness and meditation: the act of slowing down, becoming still and being fully present in the moment in the beginner’s mind without judgement. Forests and other natural environments naturally facilitate the practice of mindfulness. Participants easily connect to the here and now in nature through their senses by noticing the sights, sounds, and smells around them, thus connecting their bodies and minds. The heightened sensual awareness helps people ground themselves in the present, fostering a deeper connection with themselves and their surroundings. Further, elements of Qigong, breath work, somatic experiencing, land art, and ecopsychology can complement the holistic method. For participants dealing with substance use problems or other mental health challenges, practicing nature-based mindfulness can serve as a valuable coping and self-regulation mechanism, enabling them to navigate cravings and negative and intrusive thoughts by redirecting their attention.
3. The “WHY”: fostering connection to nature, the inner self, and others
Many people dealing with mental health problems have become disconnected from both themselves and nature. Forest Therapy opens clients a pathway to rekindle these lost connections. Through diverse exercises, the trained facilitators awaken the client’s curiosity and thus reintroduce a sense of awe and wonder for the natural world, achieving an effortless shift away from rumination and negative thoughts. Further dealing with mental health challenges, depression, substance use, PTSD, etc, is often a lonely and isolating experience. Forest Therapy offers an opportunity to positively connect with others who share similar struggles, fostering community and mutual support.
Group Forest Therapy sessions, guided by trained facilitators, provide a safe space for participants to share their experiences, offer encouragement, and draw strength from one another. These interpersonal connections play a crucial role in the recovery process, helping clients feel understood, accepted, and less alone in their recovery journey and providing a supportive environment where they can share their struggles and successes without fear of judgment.
Final thoughts
It is a very encouraging development that science is increasingly exploring the therapeutic potential of nature-based interventions and mindfulness practices for mental health challenges. Since introducing Forest Therapy in Spring 2023, NEOVIVA has found that it has been genuinely transformative for our clients: It enhances mental and physical recovery, fosters a more profound sense of connection with nature, and promotes self-awareness and connectedness with others. It further raises awareness among the clients about the importance of mindfulness-based self-care and regularly spending nurturing time in nature for sustainable recovery and a healthy lifestyle.
References
Greenspace Interventions, Stress and Cortisol: A Scoping Review, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8001092/
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