If someone offered you a ‘forest bath’, would you accept? We’re not talking about cooling off in waterfalls or streams in the middle of the forest, but rather admiring a green area, feeling the textures of the trees, smelling the flowers, walking peacefully and being able to enjoy this moment to breathe calmly for at least one hour. This is the definition of forest therapy developed by the Japanese government 41 years ago.
Although it seems simple and may initially generate distrust regarding its results, the benefits of shinrin-yoku, as the technique is known in Japanese, are extremely important for controlling various health problems. It is scientifically proven that silence and contact with ‘green space’ promote serenity, help expand sensory perception and reduce stress.
In Brazil, a FioCruz program in partnership with the Brazilian Archeology Institute (IAB) is discussing the benefits of ‘forest bathing’ for the Brazilian population. In an interview with Terra, Guilherme Franco Netto, coordinator of the Fiocruz Health, Environment and Sustainability Program (FioPROSAS), explained that the objective of the project is to allow people to benefit from this practice, at the same time that nature also has a more appropriate interaction of human beings in their territories.
The proposal aims to expand the dissemination of ‘forest bathing’ in the country through studies and training of ecotuners [especialistas que orientam os novatos nessa técnica]. The aim is to include the practice in the future as part of the integrative and complementary practices offered by the Unified Health System (SUS).
“International scientific literature provides evidence of significant benefits to human health, both physical and mental, when practicing forest bathing. These include reducing stress hormone levels, lowering insulin and blood glucose, as well as lowering blood pressure. Furthermore, it promotes sociability and the reestablishment of feelings of well-being in people’s daily lives,” said Netto.
Although it requires guidance from a trained professional, the practice is accessible and widely carried out around the world, adapting to different forms of implementation. The therapy requires great dedication from the participant, as it consists of a meditative experience of silence, observation and interaction with nature, similar to mindfulness exercises.
