FOREST BATHING VS FOREST THERAPY

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In 1981, Tomohide Akiyama was appointed Director of the Forestry Agency of Japan. He was

disappointed in the abandonment of Japan's forests by his countrymen. Preferring to live in the

cities, they no longer considered contact with nature necessary. Akiyama created and developed

the concept of shinrin yoku, or forest bathing, to encourage the rediscovery of Japan's forests

and revive traditions that were fast disappearing.

The program wasn't officially launched until July of 1982. The first forest bath was held in the

Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest in Japan. Since then, there have been major scientific

studies regarding the mental and physical health benefits of forest bathing - both in Japan and

abroad. It is now a prescribed therapeutic treatment, and there are 24 government protected

spaces for communing with Nature.

Forest bathing is the slow, mindful experience of observing Nature on foot. It is a very poetic way of  saying 'taking a walk in the woods.'

Also known as Sylvotherapy (from the Greek silva, meaning forest, and therapeia, meaning cure), Forest Therapy is a reviving  ancestral practice, based on a simple principle: being near trees is beneficial for our balance and health. This discipline helps to ground the body from a mental, emotional, and physical perspective. It involves treating the body and mind through a variety of sensory approaches using the energies of trees, shrubs and plants, which have a healing power with countless positive repercussions. 

Forest Bathing is just one of the many guided, Nature immersion exercises utilized in Forest Therapy. 

Forest Therapy encompasses a broader, more structured approach, integrating nature-based interventions designed to improve mental, physical, and social health. This practice is grounded in a multidisciplinary framework, drawing from fields such as ecology, psychology, social work, and forestry to create a holistic therapeutic experience. Forest Therapy Practitioners, who are often allied with healthcare professionals, conduct targeted interventions that address specific health conditions or social vulnerabilities. These practitioners employ a range of techniques, including expressive arts  and nature connection activities, tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals or groups.

The distinction between Forest Bathing and Forest Therapy lies in their scope, intent, and application. Forest Bathing primarily focuses on enhancing general well-being and stress reduction through mindful nature engagement. It is a non-clinical practice aimed at fostering a serene and contemplative experience within the natural environment. Forest Therapy is a therapeutic intervention that seeks to address specific health and social issues. It operates on a deeper level, involving s a comprehensive assessment of the participants’ needs, followed by the implementation of structured interventions to promote recovery.