How can forest bathing reduce inflammation biomarkers in the elderly?

Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is a practice of connecting with nature through all five senses to promote health and prevent disease^[15]. Research indicates that forest environments can reduce inflammation and stress by lowering levels of stress hormones such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol^[15]. In a study involving elderly patients with essential hypertension, exposure to a forest environment was shown to reduce blood pressure and decrease cardiovascular disease-related pathological factors, including inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha^[15].

The following table summarizes key findings regarding the physiological effects of forest bathing on hypertension and inflammation.

Beyond dedicated forest trips, research suggests that spending time in city parks can also provide health benefits, such as reducing negative emotions and helping to stabilize the autonomic nervous system^[15]. To incorporate these benefits into an urban lifestyle, you might consider taking short, leisurely walks in local green spaces, focusing on engaging your senses—such as listening to birds, observing the colors of the landscape, or breathing in the air—rather than treating the time as a workout^[15].

Would you be interested in learning more about how specific phytoncides, like alpha-pinene, contribute to these immune-boosting effects?