Forest bathing to nature walks: Tips to improve psychological health

Are you stressed out? Just take a forest bath or walk in nature

Do you know spending time amidst nature can help improve both your psychological and physical health?

From lowering stress, anxiety, and depression to generating happy feelings and improving concentration, cognitive abilities, and inculcation of eco-friendly habits, nature can be nurturing. This has been corroborated in several scientific researches.

And that is the reason activities around the green (forests and areas of greenery) and blue (aquatic or around seas and water bodies) environments like hiking in the forest path, bird watching in greenery, sitting by a river or even walking in your colony park can be beneficial.

On World Environment Day, head of the department of neurosurgery and director, Pinnacle Institute of Neurosciences at Pinnacle Hospital Dr P V Ramana explains the positive impact of nature on the human brain and how it boosts psychological and physical health.

“Scientific research has shown some fascinating effects of spending time in nature on the brain. There is scientifically backed proof behind the positive influence of nature on our brains. Studies have consistently shown that spending time in nature has a profound impact on our mental well-being,” he says.

Reduces stress and anxiety

One of the key benefits is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. Research published in ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences’ found that spending time in the natural environment can reduce activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is associated with repetitive negative thinking and anxiety.

Forest Bathing or Shinrin-Yoku

Japanese term for soaking in the natural atmosphere and fresh air is called ‘Shinrin-Yoku’ or Forest Bathing’. It gained popularity in recent years for its stress-reducing effects. It combines meditative mindfulness practice and also walking amidst nature for fitness. A study published in the ‘Frontiers in Psychology’ demonstrated that participants in a forest bathing program experienced significant reductions in stress markers, such as cortisol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Improve cognition and focus

“Nature has a remarkable ability to improve mental clarity and focus. A study published in the ‘Journal of Environmental Psychology’ showed that exposure to the natural environment enhances attention and cognitive performance. People who spend time in natural surroundings performed better on tasks requiring attention and working memory compared to those in urban environments,” adds Dr. Ramana.

Nature enhances mood and happiness

Spending time in nature has also been linked to enhanced mood and happiness.

“Nature has the power to uplift our spirits and improve our overall well-being. A study published in the ‘Journal of Natural Environmental Psychology’ showed that exposure to nature could lead to mental restoration and reduced mental fatigue. Even a brief interaction with nature, such as viewing pictures of natural scenery can improve cognitive performance and increase mental clarity. So, whether it’s a walk in the woods or a day at the beach, or simply spending time in a local park and immersing ourselves in nature can have profound effects on our brain,” avers Dr. Ramana and concludes, “Next time you feel stressed or in need of a mental boost, remember to step outside and embrace the healing power of nature.”