The Forest Effect: nature’s therapeutic power

The original name of the Forest Effect, "Shinrin Yoku", brings a sense of poetry back into our increasingly hectic lives.

While it might seem obvious nowadays, we sometimes forget how important it is to spend quality time in nature. A number of studies remind us, explain, and advise us to step away from a performance-driven lifestyle and instead focus on personal well-being. It’s a reversal that takes us back to where we, as human beings, have always belonged: immersed in green.

Effetto Forest

Photo credit: kazuend da Unsplash

According to experts, even after our species evolved, we spent more than 99% of our history in symbiosis with nature, to which we have almost perfectly adapted. Yet, we are drifting away. Recent UN studies reveal that half of the world’s population now lives in metropolitan areas. So how can we escape a life that seems to keep moving faster and faster? Let’s discover the Forest Effect.

What is the Forest Effect?

The term was coined in Japan in the 1980s, with the goal of bringing people back to nature. The concept evolved into a lifestyle trend aimed at breaking away from the frenzy of a society increasingly shaped by urbanization. We can even see it in the Japanese characters that form the word.

森林 – "Shinrin" translates to "Forest." Even if you don’t speak Japanese, you may notice that this word is made up of repeated elements. The character 木 (ki) means “tree.” The repetition of it in "Shinrin" symbolically evokes a collection of trees—a forest. The second character reinforces this spatial idea of a place filled with trees.

Photo credit: Maksim Shutov da Unsplash

浴 – "Yoku" translates to “Bath” in all senses of the word. In this case, it supports the concept introduced by “Shinrin,” and can be understood as “Immersion.”

Shinrin Yoku: "Bathing in the Forest"

Humans are meant to live immersed in nature, in full connection with it. Yet more and more often, we forget this and spend most of our lives surrounded by concrete and asphalt, where greenery is barely noticeable. The Forest Effect is a practice—and now a viral phenomenon—that encourages people to move away from urban centers and reconnect with greener environments and, ideally, a less stressful life.

What are its benefits?

Have you ever heard of the "health bath"?

Photo credit: Shane Rounce da Unslplash

As water has a soothing and calming power, even plants give relaxation and well-being, especially when you are lucky enough to be able to 'immerse’.

And it’s not over! Recent studies have found that staying in contact with nature, even for just a few days, strengthens the immune system, improves bone health and reduces signs of skin aging. In short, a nice holiday in the green would not only be useful to rest or spend time on your hobbies, but it would be considered a real medicine against many diseases!

Walking among the trees, in fact, drastically lowers cortisol levels in the body, guilty of all the stress that blocks our neck and shoulders and makes our days heavier.

It improves the mood, driving away negative thoughts and freeing the mind from all worries that turn out to be a constant background noise.

So, there is only the chirping of birds, the noise of our steps and the natural sounds that a forest produces, to remind us that life is not just made of commitments and appointments that make us run every day.

Much more than physical, in fact, it is the psychological well-being to extract the greatest advantage from the presence of plants. Having more Green in your city helps reduce daily stress and fatigue. It is also mentioned in a study by the University of Illinois (USA) which, regarding the relationship between landscape quality and health, points out that in places where there are more green areas there are less conflicts. Even the relationship with the neighbourhood improves, because people are more sociable, open and generous.

How is the Forest Effect reflected in Glamping?

There are several studies that talk about how glamping areas should be designed, so that the landscape and the marriage with the needs of each can create a perfect harmony and activate all those beneficial processes that we saw in the last paragraph.

Let’s see together some points of interest that promote well-being during an open-air holiday:

1. Find a balanced ecosystem

Meeting an environment in which every natural and artificial element coexists in harmony with the others is a first factor that positively affects well-being. Walking in open or closed well-lit spaces, which have clear signs and accessible to people with disabilities ensures a sense of security, essential to facilitate relaxation on holiday.

1. Immerse yourself in different landscapes

Colours, scents and shapes create positive distractions that reduce stress and anxiety as a result. The presence of aquatic elements (such as artificial ponds, fountains and pools) combined with various species of plants allow you to find a quiet and serene environment where you can spend unique moments sharing.

1. Listen to the sounds of nature

Accustomed to a hectic life disturbed by all kinds of noise, when we go on vacation, breaking down this type of interference is fundamental. Let yourself be lulled by the sounds of nature, such as the wind between the leaves, the rustle of the water and the chirping of birds, allows you to restore your mental balance and greatly increase your levels of relaxation.

1. Take quality time!

Walks, sports activities or corners to take refuge in reading the book you have chosen for your stay away from home. Having several attractions during your leisure days is essential to keep your mind engaged but also relaxed. The fact of giving yourself time for your passions is always refreshing!

Finally, mental health has returned to be a trend topic in people’s lives, becoming central also in the choice of their holidays.

You are ready to choose the next destination of your dreams and experience the Forest Effect?