Spending time in forests can be healthy for us

PWPA encourages Filipinos to do “forest bathing”

Everywhere we look, there seems to be a reason for us to be stressed. Whether we’re dealing with looming deadlines at work, drama at home, or even just finding a date, there are things that weigh us down. Sometimes, all we need is to escape the hassles of everyday life.

Being a tropical country, it’s a good thing that we can always find solace in the lush greenery offered by our forests. But did you know that taking refuge, even for a short while, under the canopy can improve your life and bring plenty of benefits?

Forest bathing, or what is known in Japanese as shinrin-yoku, is a cornerstone of preventive healthcare and healing in Japanese medicine. The concept was first established in Japan in the 1980s, and since then it has been backed by multiple South Korean and Japanese studies. The studies have found direct correlation between numerous health benefits and the exposure to a living forest.