Relaxation Effect of a 2-Hour Walk in Kumano-Kodo Forest

Komori, Teruhisa; Mitsui, Masayuki; Togashi, Kenji; Matsui, Jun; Kato, T.; Uei, Daisuke; Shibayama, Aritomo; Yamato, Katsuhiro; Okumura, Hidehito; Kinoshita, F

doi:10.21767/2171-6625.1000174

Cited by 18 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Both Yamaguchi et al [19] and Hohashi & Kobayashi [44] claim that, although the SAA concentration did not have a significant change after visiting forests, the tendency toward a decline of SAA suggests its potential effects on relaxation. Positive effects of forest bathing on relaxation have been confirmed in other studies with different experimental designs [18]. Komori et al [18] compared participants' SAA in two different environmental settings.…”

Section: Response Of Saamentioning

confidence: 85%

“…Positive effects of forest bathing on relaxation have been confirmed in other studies with different experimental designs [18]. Komori et al [18] compared participants' SAA in two different environmental settings. They found that participants in a forest setting had a significant lower SAA than those in an urban setting, proving the function of forests in reducing stress.…”

Section: Response Of Saamentioning

confidence: 85%

“…SAA has been used as an indicator of the activity of sympathetic nervous system [18,19,44]. A lower concentration of SAA represents the inhibition of sympathetic nervous activity, indicating a relaxed status.…”

Section: Response Of Saamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Park et al and Lee et al also observed higher HF in those immersing in forest environments [16,17]. Komori et al [18] used salivary α-amylase (SAA) to investigate the activity of the autonomic (sympathetic) nervous system. They found that SAA was significantly lower in forest environments than in urban environments, providing evidence for the restorative effect of forest environments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Effects of Forest Bathing on Stress Recovery: Evidence from Middle-Aged Females of Taiwan

Chen

Lee

2018

Forests

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Previous literature highlights the effects of forests on reviving psychological and physiological health. Given that middle-aged women are vulnerable to stress due to the transition in their lives, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of forest bathing on their stress recovery using a field experiment design. This study examined both psychological and physiological responses after a forest therapy program among a middle-aged female group. Sixteen middle-aged (46.88 ± 7.83 years) women were recruited for a two-day (one-night) forest therapy program in the Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area (Nantou, Taiwan). Psychological indices were measured by Profile of Mood States (POMS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Physiological indicators included pulse rate, systolic or diastolic blood pressure, and salivary α-amylase. Both psychological and physiological measurements were collected before and after the program. The results showed that negative mood states (i.e., confusion, fatigue, anger-hostility, and tension) and anxiety levels were significantly reduced after visiting forests. In contrast, positive mood state (vigor) was improved after the program. Regarding the physiological responses, a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure response was found after the program. In sum, the two-day forest therapy program benefited to mental health and systolic blood pressure among the middle-aged female group.

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Section: Response Of Saamentioning

confidence: 85%

Section: Response Of Saamentioning

confidence: 85%

Section: Response Of Saamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The Effects of Forest Bathing on Stress Recovery: Evidence from Middle-Aged Females of Taiwan

Chen

Lee

2018

Forests

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“…Of course there are many limitations to this study and thus future directions for research indicated by these results. Others have found within-individual effects of walking in nature versus urban areas, with greater decreases in salivary cortisol following exposure to natural areas 16 , 17 indicating that self-selection for outdoor recreation is unlikely to be driving the observed effects. Urban dwellers prescribed a ‘nature pill’ also showed decreases in salivary cortisol following exposures to natural areas 18 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Decreased cortisol among hikers who preferentially visit and value biodiverse riparian zones

Opdahl

Demps

Heath

2021

Sci Rep

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While outdoor recreationists often report increases to their well-being for time spent in nature, the mechanisms through which local ecologies affect human health have been difficult to quantify, and thus to manage. We combine data from pre-post salivary cortisol measures, GPS tracks, visitor photos, and surveys from 88 hikers traversing several types of landscape within peri-urban public lands in southwest Idaho, USA. We find that time in biodiverse riparian areas and areas of perceived aesthetic value correlates with decreases in salivary cortisol and improved well-being for hikers. Wildlife sightings were not associated with changes in salivary cortisol, but were associated with riparian travel and aesthetic preferences, indicating an indirect pathway for ecosystem services. Additionally, wildlife sightings decreased on high-use days, even though hikers did not perceive a negative impact of their recreational activity. These results suggest that cultural and physiological ecosystem services of nature depend on the ecological community of the area. Preferential visitation and high service value of riparian areas by hikers and wildlife alike target shared riparian areas as hot spots for management efforts to promote both ecological and human health within an increasingly urbanizing world.

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Effects of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) on levels of cortisol as a stress biomarker: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Antonelli¹,

Barbieri

Donelli³

2019

Int J Biometeorol

177

106

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Relaxation Effect of a 2-Hour Walk in Kumano-Kodo Forest

Abstract: Background: Studies have shown that walking in forests can have a relaxation effect, but the participants only walked for about 15 minutes.

Cited by 18 publications

References 22 publications

The Effects of Forest Bathing on Stress Recovery: Evidence from Middle-Aged Females of Taiwan

The Effects of Forest Bathing on Stress Recovery: Evidence from Middle-Aged Females of Taiwan

Decreased cortisol among hikers who preferentially visit and value biodiverse riparian zones

Effects of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) on levels of cortisol as a stress biomarker: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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