Forest bathing benefit: More energy and better sleep
Many of us notice the refreshed feeling we get from taking deep breaths in a natural setting. It’s not just your imagination. Forest bathing has been proven to fight fatigue and increase vigor.
Likewise, it triggers hormones and functions in our body that enhance sleep. It’s also been shown to reduce cortisol and dopamine levels, reducing stress and calming the body and mind.
Forest bathing benefit: Decreased inflammation
The air in forests is noticeably fresher than city air or other natural environments since the trees are busy transforming CO2 into fresh oxygen for our lungs. Not only that, but it turns out that the compounds naturally released by the trees decrease inflammation.
The D-limonene found in forest air specifically reduces lung inflammation. Those with breathing problems like COPD and asthma have shown signs of improvement after forest bathing because the oxygen increases and inflammation subsides.