The Times

Rhys Blakely, Science Correspondent

Gerry Gajadharsingh writes:

“The simple things in life can be the most effective in supporting our health. When I commute into London by train into Marylebone, I walk to my practice in Wimpole Street, about a 20-minute walk. I always take a route which takes me through one of the lovely gardens that we have in London, in this case Paddington Street gardens. The quietness, the colours, the natural sounds of the birds and the space is immensely calming, even for just a few minutes as I walk through (especially at 7am). Whilst we don’t have forests in London, the article below suggests “forest bathing” as suggested by the Japanese for stress and anxiety management, our local parks are a start at least.

A study by King’s College London last year found that being among trees and hearing birdsong improved mental wellbeing, and the effect lasted for hours. Other studies suggest that a forest environment can lower blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol. Susie, my darling wife, spends hours in our garden at home and always feels better for it.

Anxiety and stress is contributory in many of the health problems that patients have, physically as well as the obvious psychological ones. Finding ways of reducing our stress and anxiety are amazingly helpful.

As mentioned in previous blogs, this article confuses the issue when they talk about “deep breathing”. Whilst deep breathing is probably fine for a few breaths, it tends to deplete our reserves of CO2, which paradoxically we need to move oxygen into our cells. They should really say, slow breathing and “longer” breathing, it’s a long slow gentle out breath that helps support the relaxation part of our nervous system.”

 

The Japanese practice of taking contemplative walks in woodland, which has won favour with the Duchess of Cambridge, should be prescribed by the NHS to combat stress, conservationists have said.

Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, was devised 40 years ago as part of a Japanese government initiative to improve the wellbeing of stressed salarymen. It requires walkers to breathe deeply and open their senses to the environment. An estimated five million Japanese take part, spending time in the dappled sunshine, birdsong and woodland smells to revive body and spirit.

The Duchess of Cambridge is said to have been inspired by forest bathing when she co-designed a garden at Chelsea Flower Show this year.

Now the Woodland Trust has urged family doctors to prescribe it for conditions such as anxiety and depression. Stuart Dainton, the trust’s head of innovation, said that shinrin-yoku was “a route to helping the nation de-stress”. The charity is planning a series of forest bathing events, which could include touching trees and listening to wildlife.

Forestry England, the country’s largest custodian of land, has also endorsed the practice. “The simple method of being calm and quiet among the trees, observing nature while breathing deeply can help adults and children to de-stress and boost health and wellbeing in a natural way,” it said.

Mr Dainton added: “Social media is obviously driving a lot of kids into an ‘always on’ culture. Just a simple walk in the woods without your phone can really help de-stress you.”

A study by King’s College London last year found that being among trees and hearing birdsong improved mental wellbeing, and the effect lasted for hours. Other studies suggest that a forest environment can lower blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol.

Jo Barton, a “green exercise” expert at the University of Essex, found that green spaces made people talk to each other more. “When you’re outdoors, you talk for 20 per cent more of the time,” she said.

  • Employers have been encouraged to help staff take lunchtime yoga classes as part of an effort to beat obesity in the workplace. Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence also suggested that offices introduce stand-up meetings, send employees off for walks, make it easier to commute by bicycle and find ways to make lifts less attractive compared to taking the stairs.