Benefits of the Forest: What If Well-Being Were Hiding Among the Trees?
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You have probably already heard of tree therapy. No? Oh yes you have, it’s that approach that involves hugging trees to better reconnect with yourself! Far from being a New Age fad or an esoteric concept, tree therapy rests on solid scientific foundations. In Japan, it’s known as shinrin-yoku (literally «forest bathing»), a practice formally adopted by the government back in 1982, which encouraged its citizens to relax in nature to fight urban stress. But even without becoming a die-hard tree-hugger, a simple walk in the forest is enough to trigger powerful benefits for body and mind. Curious to know which ones? Follow us, we’ll explain it all!
The Benefits of Walking in the Woods
The benefits of the forest are so numerous that it would be a shame to miss out. Don’t have a forest near your home? No worries! Nothing stops you from enjoying such surroundings on holiday. Why not choose a nature campsite, ideally located near a forest? That will let you make the most of everything this setting has to offer!
What Are the Benefits of the Forest for Physical Health?
Our body is wired for nature. A simple walk in the forest reactivates mechanisms beneficial to our vitality. This is one of the greatest benefits of the forest: reconnecting us to our fundamental biology.
A Boost of Vital Energy
The forest environment is a fantastic playground! It encourages gentle, regular physical activity, essential for cardiovascular health, according to the scientific article by Nilsson and colleagues (2010)¹. Every step on the soft ground, every change in elevation, gently engages our muscular and joint systems. Forget the gym routine, the forest energises your body while stimulating your senses. This is one of the most immediate benefits of the forest for anyone seeking an energy boost.
A Strengthened Immune System
Have you ever noticed that distinctive scent of wood and conifers? You were right in the middle of a powerful defence mechanism! Trees release volatile molecules called phytoncides. Compounds such as alpha-pinene or d-limonene don’t just scent the air. They actively help boost your immunity. How? According to Li’s (2019)² literature review, they increase the number and activity of NK cells, our best allies against infection. The benefits of the forest thus act as a genuine shield for our health.
Note, moreover, that phytoncides also give us other considerable benefits:
- Stress reduction: lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone.
- Better sleep: promotes deeper, more restorative rest.
- Lower blood pressure and heart rate.
A Breath of Fresh Air for Your Lungs
Far from urban pollution, the air we breathe in the forest is of incomparable quality.
Filtered by billions of leaves, purified by moss and fungi that capture polluting particles, it’s richer in oxygen. This healthy atmosphere is a gift for our respiratory system and our metabolism! So what are you waiting for to plan a walk in the woods and reap its benefits?
What Are the Psychological Benefits of a Walk in the Forest?
The close link between forests and mental health no longer needs proving. The simple act of immersing yourself in the green of the trees triggers a cascade of positive psychological reactions. The benefits of the forest for our mind are a blessing in the face of modern cognitive overload.
Stress Reduction
Need to switch off? Forests are known for their remarkable ability to help us withstand stress. Finnish researchers, including Tyrväinen (2019)³, confirm that simple visual contact with trees lowers tension. Walking without a destination, just for the pleasure of discovery, lets the mind hit pause. These soothing effects are at the heart of the benefits of the forest for anyone looking to escape pressure.
Mood Improvement
Natural spaces boost our emotional well-being. Joy, calm, energy: positive feelings intensify after time immersed in the forest. Just a few hours a month are enough to feel a marked improvement, according to scientific studies such as that of Korpela and colleagues (2010)⁴.
Boosting Concentration and Motivation
Nature also improves our cognitive functions. Tyrväinen and colleagues (2014)⁵ state that a 30-minute walk preceded by 15 minutes of contemplation can reduce stress, but also boost attentional abilities and motivation. A simple ritual to weave into daily life or your holidays! These same researchers recommend more than 5 hours a month, or 2 to 3 outings a month in nature, to markedly improve emotional well-being.
Summary Table of the Benefits of the Forest
Mental & emotionalPsychological stress: immediate relaxation from contact with trees
| Domain | Positive effects |
| Physical |
|
| Mental & emotional |
|
| Overall |
|
Fancy a refreshing break? Choose an eco-friendly campsite on the edge of a forest for your next getaway. The trees filter the noise and the wind soothes, creating a cocoon of calm. Enjoy a stay as close to nature as possible to recharge your batteries.
Sources :
¹ Nilsson, K., Sangster, M., Gallis, C., Hartig, T., de Vries, S., Seeland, K., & Schipperijn, J. (Eds.). (2010). Forest, trees and human health & wellbeing. Springer Science.
² Li, Q. (2019). Effets des forêts et des bains de forêt (shinrin-yoku) sur la santé humaine : une revue de la littérature. Santé Publique, S1(HS1), 135-143. https://doi.org/10.3917/spub.190.0135
³ Tyrväinen, L., Ojala, A., Neuvonen, M., Borodulin, K., & Lanki, T. (2019). Effets bénéfiques de la forêt sur la santé et le bien-être : L’expérience de la recherche finlandaise. Santé publique, HS1(1), 249–256.
⁴ Korpela, K., Ylén, M., Tyrväinen, L., & Silvennoinen, H. (2010). Favorite green, waterside and urban environments, restorative experiences and perceived health in Finland. Health Promotion International, 25(2), 200–209.
⁵ Tyrväinen, L., Ojala, A., Korpela, K., Tsunetsugu, Y., Kagawa, T., & Lanki, T. (2014). The influence of urban green environments on stress relief measures: A field experiment. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 38, 1–9.
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