Adding this to your life can increase your lifespan, and it won't cost you anything.

“After working hard in Tokyo and experiencing backaches and stiff shoulders, those issues have disappeared. I am no longer anxious and feel very happy,” said Yasuyo Nishiura, a youthful 57-year-old who now exudes good health.

Yasuyo, a forest therapist in Japan, attributes her well-being to surrounding herself with forests. She guides people through woodlands to improve their mental and physical health.

Forest therapy, also known as forest bathing or Shinrin-yoku, is a practice that aims to enhance health, happiness, and overall well-being by spending time in nature.

According to some scientists, spending time in natural environments can help reduce stress levels, as our species has spent less than 0.01% of its history in urban settings, causing potential stress from artificial environments.

Studies conducted since 1990 have consistently shown the benefits of spending time in a forest environment, including stress reduction, decreased depression, improved physiological relaxation, lower pulse rate, reduced blood pressure, increased vitality, enhanced working memory, decreased blood sugar in diabetics, strengthened immune system, and reduced cancer mortality.

Forest therapy aims to engage all five senses—sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste—encouraging healing and connection with nature. It involves slow walks through nature, allowing participants to appreciate their surroundings and take a break from daily stress.

Research by Li Qing, an assistant professor of forest medicine, showed that spending time in forests can boost the immune system, attributed in part to phytoncides released by evergreen trees. Historical studies have also suggested the healing benefits of tree scents on immunity and relaxation.

If you are interested in joining a forest therapy walk, you can find a guide near you on the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy website: https://www.natureandforesttherapy.earth/worldwide-member-map