Shinrin-yoku is the term used in Japan to refer to the act of delcouing into a forest environment, it represents a therapy to get rid of the tensions involved in urban life today, nature can be a good ally to restore the health and quality of life of people suffering from professional or personal stress.
Does the term Shinrin-yoku mean,absorbing the forest environment ?, to avoid diseases related to the tension of large cities. Considering that being in contact with unpleasant situations is one of the factors that can lead to long-term illnesses.
- Forest therapy.
- Or Shinrin-yoku.
- Appeared in 1982 at the Japanese Forestry Agency as an alternative to reducing stress levels; precisely.
- It is a therapy based on Buddhist and Phytotic principles that proclaim integral contact with nature.
- Through the senses.
- The person.
- Establish feedback with the entire natural environment to restore your inner peace.
Although it is a therapy originating in Japan, it is gaining more and more followers in the world. In some countries it is called “forest bath” and consists, as the name suggests, of resorting to nature. Thus, the individual reaches a state of relaxation without having taken any medications.
Researchers at Chiba University, led by Yoshifumi Miyazaki, have studied the benefits of being in full contact with the forest and, using a stress biomarker, determined that people in contact with urban environments had higher levels of cortisol than those in contact with a natural environment. .
Applying neurobiology techniques, they observed that the forest decreases cognitive activity and increases those related to pleasure, since trees release volatile compounds beneficial to the immune system, called phytotonides, alledyctic antimicrobials very beneficial for health, widely used in holistic medicine.
“It’s about taking time to perceive what you see, take a deep breath, feel the contact with the air, the textures of the leaves, listen to the wind between the trees, listen to the birds. “Love Clifford-
Millions of Japanese affected by stress undergo forest therapy each year; In addition, thanks to the various official centres designated by the Japanese Forestry Agency, it is very accessible; Shinrin-yoku therapy involves going into the forest and performing various breathing techniques during this period for two hours.
Participants are monitored before and after therapy to see if there has been any improvement, so the effectiveness of treatment is tested immediately, with substantial changes in well-being observed. In short, the importance of Shinrin-yoku can be harnessed, in our emotional lives.
Being exposed to nature not only improves the body’s mental balance and overall well-being, but also stimulates changes in the nervous system, so it has a positive influence on irritability, anger, depression, anxiety and tension.
In conclusion, it is a natural treatment that can be performed at any time of life, with good practice helps to achieve an ideal state of relaxation, in addition, contact with nature improves quality of life and emotional state, so breathe, feel the wind in your face and move forward without worrying too much about anything are the pillars that make Shinrin-yoku a global success.
“We spent 99. 9% of our evolution in the natural environment (?). Our physiological functions are always adapted to these environments and, in the day to day, can we achieve a sense of well-being if we synchronize our rhythms with those of the environment?. – Yoshifumi Miyazaki-