Forest bathing, or shinrin yoku as it is called in Japan, is more than just a walk in the woods, it is a mindful immersion with nature that has measurable benefits for body and mind alike. Just spending 20-30 minutes surrounded by trees and greenery has shown impressive results for the immune system, by increasing the activity and number of natural killer (NK) cells, which help fight viruses. Forest bathing is known to reduce cortisol, the stress hormone, which leads to profound implications on the body as well as the mind. But, it goes beyond just physical health, regular forest exposure improves mood, sharpens mental clarity and helps to regulate blood pressure.
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