December 15, 2009
Forest therapy (1)
We face the strong stress under historical great depression. Excessive stress gives us negative impact mentally and physically, and might cause psychosomatic disorders and lifestyle diseases. We now live stressful lives surrounded by artificial materials and almost lose the benefit derived from great nature. In the second half of the last century, we found that forest bath and some plant components have the relaxing effect. Let us introduce the relaxing effect of forest therapy.
The word “forest therapy” was suggested by the chief of Forest Agency, Mr. Akiyama in 1982. He had promoted the forest therapy under the catch-phrase” Use the forest for our health”. We found the forest bath has the effects to health like blood pressure reduction, cortisol level reduction, the relaxing effect, activation of NK-cell and so on. Forest therapy has preventive effects to increase the immunity level instead of direct effects to particular diseases.
