This post appeared as an article in the South Okanagan Naturalists’ Club newsletter, The Honker, March 2022. It has been edited for this space.
If you are someone who enjoys being in nature, you can probably name many benefits from spending time outside. Sometimes you might feel a boost of energy after a brisk walk, or you may notice that you’re happier, or feel better when you come in from being in the garden. Maybe you notice a deeper sense of peace after a walk in the woods.
Research has shown what we intuitively know, that nature has many healing qualities. While research is continuing to develop and more is always needed, preliminary studies strongly indicate that the health benefits of being outside in nature include: boosted immunity, reduced blood pressure, increased heart rate variability, mood stability and reduce impacts of Attention Deficit Disorder. These benefits come from different aspects of the natural world. For example, when we slow down and connect to our senses while we are in nature, our parasympathetic nervous system is activated, which can slow down our stress reactions, bringing us into a state where healing can occur. Naturally occurring chemicals from trees, called phytoncides, have been shown to act as a de-stressor, reducing cortisol levels and bringing us to a more relaxed state. They have also been shown to increase a type of white blood cell called NK cells, natural killer cells, and this can help boost immunity levels (Li et. Al 2009). Gentle, natural sounds from the forest can also help to lower blood pressure and increase heart-rate activity (Miyazaki 2018). While experiencing these elements individually is good, the greatest benefit occurs when the natural landscape is experienced as one. Studies suggests that the minimum time being outside for health benefits is 120 minutes, with increased benefits at three hours (White et. Al. 2019).
The experience of finding healing in the natural world has been part of many cultures and regions of the world for a long time. Recently, there has been a global movement of forest therapy, or forest bathing, inspired by shinrin-yoku, a Japanese practice of connecting with nature through all of our senses. Health bodies around the world have also begun to embrace the potential health benefits of being in nature with green prescription programs in countries such as New Zealand, Ireland and England and the United States. In November 2020, B.C. Parks Foundation started Canada’s first national nature prescription program. In January 2022, Parks Canada signed on to the initiative. Now, health-care professionals can offer patients a Parks Canada Discovery Pass — free of charge.
The next time you are out in nature, take some time to intentionally slow down, connect to your senses and experience the gift of deep nature connection.
If you’d like to learn more, here are some suggestions for further reading:
Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness book by Quing Li
Nature Prescriptions: https://www.parkprescriptions.ca
Global Institute of Forest Therapy: https://www.giftoftheforest.com
Effects of Forest bathing trips on human immune function, Quing Li, Environmental Health and Preventative Medicine https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793341/
Okanagan Forest Therapy 