Forest bathing may boost physical health, not just mental well-being

Immersing yourself in nature has repeatedly been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, but it could also have serious benefits for your physical health

By Sara Novak

22 August 2025

Scientists have found another reason why we should spend more time in nature

Colin Anderson/Blend Images LLC/Getty Images

So-called “forest bathing” is known to have psychological benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, but now research suggests it also boosts physical health by lowering blood pressure and inflammation.

Also known as shinrin yoku, the Japanese practice of forest bathing involves spending time in nature, usually while taking deep breaths and being mindful of the sights, sounds and smells around you.

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Iwao Uehara at Tokyo University of Agriculture and his colleagues wanted to better understand the benefits of this practice, so they looked at 36 adults, aged between 60 and 80, with high blood pressure.

Twenty-four of the adults spent three days and two nights in a forest setting in Qianjiangyuan National Park, about 3.5 hours by car from Hangzhou City in China, where they participated in 3 hours of gentle hiking every day and a 1-hour group mindfulness meditation session on one of the days.

They also took part in one hour of Qigong – a traditional Chinese exercise that uses slow and precise body movements with controlled breathing – every day, along with a 1-hour tea ceremony. These were done to help the participants become more mindful so they could be more immersed in the forest bathing.