Nature's Reset Button: How Forest Bathing Revives Mind & Body

Spring is finally here, which means the birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and the weather is oh-so-nice for spending time outdoors. And at a time of year synonymous with a fresh start, it also means you can reap the wellness benefits of forest bathing.

So what exactly is "forest bathing," and what kind of scientifically-backed benefits can it bring to your life? The answers may surprise you. Read below to learn about this simple, easy-to-do practice that can help you start feeling and living better.

Let's journey through place and time to Japan in the 1970s and 1980s. During this time, economic growth around the world was slowing down while the Japanese economy made a major leap from light manufacturing and materials-intensive manufacturing to skill-intensive and research and development-intensive manufacturing industries.

Or...in plain English, they were becoming a powerhouse of high-tech, with brands like Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, Nintendo, and others leading the way with innovative products such as the Walkman, Nintendo Entertainment System, mass-produced laptops, and more.

However, a massive burnout came with this enormous embrace of technology and increased urbanization. So, what was the proposed remedy for it?

In response to this burnout and growing need to protect the nation's forests, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries developed the concept of "shinrin-yoku," which roughly translates to "forest bathing" or "taking in the forest atmosphere." It's a practice of ecotherapy that emphasizes a mindful and intentional approach to spending time in nature to enhance mental, emotional, and physical health.

So, just like how people take time out of their day to "hit the gym," people in Japan eventually took time out of their day to "hit the woods" for their health and wellbeing. Simply put, forest bathing is just spending time in the woods and being mindful of the scenery. That's it.

But what does science say about its benefits?

There are several physical and mental benefits you can reap just by spending time in the woods. Below are just a few of them. 

According to the Cultivating Health blog of UC Davis, spending time in nature can decrease anxiety, alleviate stress, and even muffle feelings of anger.

"Relaxing in nature causes increases in parasympathetic nerve activity. The parasympathetic nervous system activates when your body is at rest," said Dr. Carrie Lam (Fellowship in Anti-Aging, Metabolic, and Functional Medicine) in an interview with DailyOM. "The trees themselves might also directly cause some of these health benefits. Trees release compounds into the air known as phytoncides, which can help reduce stress levels."

In one study on forest bathing and immune support, 12 men aged 37 and 55 spent three days forest bathing in three different forests. After the forest bathing sessions, there was a 50% increase in natural killer cells (immune cells that terminate tumor cells or cells infected with a virus) and anti-cancer proteins, including perforin, granzymes, and granulysin. 

Another forest bathing study done in Japan showed a similar uptick in natural killer cells as well.

A 2005 study done with 71 volunteers (43 men and 28 women) found that two hours of walking through a forest on eight different weekend days improved sleep quality. Furthermore, subjects who took afternoon walks instead of morning walks showed a more significant improvement in sleep duration.

Research conducted by the University of Utah found that backpackers who spent four days in nature, disconnected from electronic devices, scored roughly 50% higher on a creative, problem-solving assessment.  

In a study by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, subjects who participated in forest bathing displayed lower blood pressure and heart rates than their counterparts in urban environments.

Forest bathing arose in Japan in the 1980s to counter the growing influence of technology and its associated effects on well-being. However, in the United States, there may have never been a greater need for forest bathing than right now.

Can you guess the average daily screen time for an American in 2023? It's approximately 7 hours and 3 minutes.

And what is the average time we spend awake per day? Approximately 14.10 hours. Yes, we spend almost half our time awake staring at a screen.

According to Medical News Today, some of the negative health effects of the overuse of mobile devices and social media include:

We're not saying you should live under a rock, shun all technology, and only read books by candlelight. Modern tech provides us with a wide range of information and communication. But if there's ever been a time that we need to integrate more outdoor time into our lives, it's now.

But we also understand cultivating an unfamiliar habit is easier said than done. That's why we have curated some practical tips for spending more time outside.

Forest bathing is about disconnecting from the grind, feeling in tune with yourself, and focusing on your senses. For this reason, we recommend products with an energizing edge, which may be strains or specific formulations (with caffeine or B12) that offer a stimulating jolt.

Sativas have a terpene profile that helps promote energizing and stimulating effects. The following edibles feature live rosin from sativa strains that can help you get the most out of forest bathing:

We have various options for vapes that contain a sativa profile with live resin concentrate. Consider bringing one of these in your pocket the next time you go on a hike:

Who doesn't like a cool beverage when spending time outdoors? With vitamin B12, our drinks offer a refreshing way to enjoy cannabis when you're outdoors. And if you don't have the capacity for a cooler, our drink packets make for an excellent portable option:

We formulated our ORCA line to optimize physical performance, recovery, and rest. Our ORCA Energy pills contain a microdose of nano THC with caffeine and other ingredients to give you a nice boost for physical activity outside:

With so much time spent on screens, there has never been a greater necessity for us to embrace forest bathing. It's easy to do (just spend time in the woods) and greatly benefits our physical and mental well-being. Overall, we hope this blog inspired you to find ways to disconnect, tune into yourself, and spend more time outside with the perfect cannabis accompaniment.

Until next time, happy exploring and Mind Your Mind.