The modern world is full of fast -moving individuals who live in a metropolitan highly polluted city and hardly have any time for yourself. They do not know what Mother Nature does for them – treatment.As a pulmonologist, I have seen the effects of polluted air on the lungs and on top of it comes to the effect of chronic motionless and stable lifestyle. Let me revive with an old Japanese tradition that is still quite powerful for our lungs and immunity and it is Ishinrin-Yoku, or forest bath. It has been scientifically proved that this practice of nature therapy also has physical and psychological health benefits.
Forest bath
Forest bath does not mean jumping into a river or hiking a mountain. This simply means to spend deliberately, desired time in a forest area. You slowly move, breathe deeply, and absorb the natural surroundings with all your senses, without distraction, gadgets or goals.In the 1980s, the origin in Japan, Shinreen-Yoku was introduced as a public health intervention to combat growing stress and chronic disease. Since then, it has been done extensively – and the results are notable.Forest environments release phytonsides, organic compounds emitted by trees and plants. When breathed, phytonusides are shown to increase the natural killer (NK) cell activity, which plays an important role in infection and even fighting cancer cells.For the respiratory system, the wind of the forest is referred to, which is free from urban pollutants, allergies and harmful particles. This cleaner air supports better lung function, especially in patients with asthma, COPD or post-viral lung fatigue. People often report easy breathing and low cough after time spent in the forests.In addition, the work of forest bath naturally encourages slow, diaphragm breathing. It cools the nervous system, reduces cortisol levels, and helps expand the capacity of the lungs, especially beneficial for people with breath related to restrictive lung conditions or anxiety.This practice does not mean that you have to go and live in a forest. Any park, botanical garden or greenery can provide the same health benefits as a forest. You just have to represent 20-30 minutes two or three times a week and you will find yourself stress free with better breathing and good health. As a pulmonologist, I believe that the forest bath is not just a good ritual, but it is a preventive medicine. This is the time when we discovered this simple, side-effect-free method of treatment. In nature, we not only find peace, we breathe.Dr. Harish Bhatia, Founding Director, Senior Chest Specialist and Director and Head Department of Respiratory Medicine with MGS Hospital
