How 'forest bathing' keeps lungs healthy

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, Italian scientists documented something interesting: in areas with more trees per capita, the number and severity of COVID-19 cases were lower than in places with fewer trees, even when accounting for differences in human population density. This work is part of a growing body of research around the world investigating whether time spent in forests and nature can provide protection from infections, such as COVID-19 and pneumonia; inflammatory conditions, such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis; and even cancer."

"'Touch grass' has become the rejoinder to stop using electronic devices and to go outside. It's part of a long-held belief that nature is good for us. The ancient Celts prescribed time sitting next to certain plants as medicine for particular ailments, says conservationist Melinda Gilhen-Baker at the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society in Ottawa. In Japan, forest bathing ( shinrin-yoku) is the traditional practice of spending time in the woods for one's health."

"That culture spurred a Tokyo-based research team to establish the field of forest medicine. Now Japan has adopted it as a national health strategy, with therapy bases in forests across the country. South Korea also operates at least 76 'healing forests', and integrates forest therapy - guided slow walking, deep breathing or meditation in forests - into its National Health Insurance Service. Physicians in other countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, are also prescribing forest time."

Areas with more trees per capita experienced fewer and less severe COVID-19 cases, even after accounting for population density. Time spent in forests and nature may protect against infections including COVID-19 and pneumonia, reduce inflammatory lung conditions such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, and possibly lower cancer risk. Longstanding cultural practices such as forest bathing and plant-based rest have been used for health. Japan established forest medicine and adopted forest therapy nationally; South Korea runs healing forests and integrates forest therapy into insurance. Forests intercept urban pollution and are cooler than cities due to water vapour released by plants.

Read at Nature