The Secret of Forest Therapy for the Well-Being of Body and Soul

by Osvaldo Bevilacqua 22 May 2025

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By Francesca Gorini

Have you ever heard of “forest bathing”? Known in Japan as Shinrin-Yoku, this practice is rooted in ancient Eastern traditions and offers an accessible way for everyone to improve their physical and mental well-being.

What is it exactly? Essentially, it involves peaceful walks and moments of mindful relaxation immersed in nature. To experience its benefits, all you need to do is head into a forest—perhaps in the mountains—and allow yourself to be enveloped by the sounds, smells, and colors of the woods. This immersion in nature produces concrete, measurable effects on our well-being, positively influencing aspects such as psychological, respiratory, cardiac, and immune health. The magic of the forest lies in the synergy of all the sensory stimuli it offers: sight, hearing, touch, and smell. Every natural element contributes to our inner balance, creating a multisensory experience that helps calm the mind and invigorate the body.

In recent years, several studies have confirmed the health benefits of these “immersions.” So much so that in some Asian countries like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China—and more recently in Germany—forest therapy is officially recognized in the field of medical prevention, with results supported by a growing body of scientific research.

We discussed this with Francesco Meneguzzo and Federica Zabini, researchers at the Institute for BioEconomy of the National Research Council (CNR-Ibe), authors of numerous texts, including two notable volumes published by the CNR and the Italian Alpine Club (CAI). These volumes describe the joint experiences of CNR and CAI related to the beneficial properties of forests and practical forest therapy activities.

“In light of recent discoveries, the concepts of forest therapy and forest medicine have been defined. These disciplines explore the preventive and therapeutic effects of forests on health, grounded not only in tradition but also in solid scientific evidence,” explains Dr. Zabini. “To speak strictly of forest therapy, one must consider the effects in relation to personal and environmental characteristics and the type of activities involved, with sessions led by clinical professionals.”

The benefits of connecting with nature are deep and tangible, for both body and mind. “According to the theory of biophilia, we instinctively prefer natural landscapes over urban ones because our brain, conditioned for millennia by wild environments, finds it easier and more balancing to process the sounds and shapes of forests,” adds Francesco Meneguzzo.

Around the world, scientific studies have confirmed the positive effects of forests on health—findings also supported by CNR and CAI research. Walking among the trees, for example, reduces stress and anxiety and improves our cognitive and social skills. But the benefits go even further: forests help combat oxidative stress, enhance cardiovascular functions, and strengthen the immune system, also protecting the respiratory system. Even simple walks in a park can strengthen immunity, lower blood pressure, and boost mood. “Just 120 minutes per week in nature—even split across several days—can yield significant results, regardless of age or health status. Studies have shown that after just 15 minutes of walking in the forest, beta brainwaves—associated with relaxation—increase more than after a walk in the city,” continues Federica Zabini.

So, “forest bathing” is not just a walk in the woods, but a true natural therapy for psychophysical well-being, with benefits backed by science. A simple yet powerful practice that can easily be incorporated into daily life to improve health.

Among the most remarkable benefits of forest immersion is the strengthening of the immune system. Forests increase the number of natural killer (NK) cells, which play a key role in fighting tumors and viral infections. “A significant portion of the benefits is linked to inhaling Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted by trees. For the first time in the field and with hundreds of volunteers, we have demonstrated that inhaling these compounds significantly reduces anxiety symptoms and, in children and adolescents with asthma, improves respiratory function—always in proportion to the dose of VOCs inhaled,” says Francesco Meneguzzo.

Italy has an extraordinary opportunity in this regard, as many forest species—especially in the Apennines—find an ideal refuge here, preserving levels of genetic richness and biodiversity unmatched in the rest of Europe. Since 2021, several shelters and trails—mostly part of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI)—have been designated as Forest Therapy Stations, helping to establish a widespread offering across much of the national territory.

One of the goals of the agreement with CREA (Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, part of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests), the National Institute of Health (ISS), and various Italian universities is to make forest bathing a medically prescribable activity—just like spa treatments. “We hope to see it recognized by the National Health Service as a preventive and complementary medical therapy,” concludes Federica Zabini. Regular forest walks—especially on certified trails and accompanied by an experienced psychologist—are, therefore, a valuable practice for health promotion.

So what are you waiting for? Lace up your hiking boots and go!

To learn more, you can find two volumes published by CNR Edizioni, curated by Francesco Meneguzzo and Federica Zabini, along with numerous scientific articles at:

🔗 https://www.reterurale.it/terapiaforestale/pubblicazioniedeventi

Credits: CNR