Forest guides support and assist with this process.

It is necessary to breathe deeply to achieve a state of relaxation.

The process of forest bathing is more effective than meditating.

The colors and sights of the forest change when forest bathing.

It took me a few minutes to clear out the clutter in my brain, and

tune in to the natural world. (paragraph 9)

The Association of Nature & Forest Therapy plans to train and

certify about 250 new guides next year. (paragraph 16)

There’s a growing body of evidence that the practice can help boost

immunity and mood and help reduce stress. (paragraph 17)

Most doctors these days agree that people younger than 60 should

aim to keep their blood pressure under 140. (paragraph 20)

By presenting a personal experience with forest bathing and

reporting on studies that support the reasons for the effectiveness

of that experience

By explaining why people, from participants to practice providers,

support further research to confirm the importance of forest

bathing

By providing the reader with step-by-step instructions on how to

achieve the objectives of forest bathing

By describing how the practice of forest bathing began and has

expanded to new areas in hopes that its results can be repeated

and confirmed

“When you open your eyes, imagine you’re seeing the world for the

very first time,” Choukas-Bradley told us. (paragraph 10)

“It’s my hope that the health care system will include [forest

therapy] into the range of services they reimburse for,” Clifford

says. (paragraph 14)

“Medical researchers in Japan have studied forest bathing and have

demonstrated several benefits to our health,” says Philip Barr. . . .

(paragraph 17)

“I’m very impressed with the primary research done in Japan,” Barr

says. (paragraph 21)

To elaborate on the skills that are developed through the

experience of forest bathing

To explain the ways forest bathing can be useful

To provide reasons that forest bathing is essential

To illustrate the process of forest bathing and how the author’s view

of it evolves

To emphasize the need for frequent forest bathing

To describe the positive effects of forest bathing

To explain the history of forest bathing

To persuade people to try forest bathing

People seeking stress-relieving practices

Physicians who treat high blood pressure

Outdoor athletes who enjoy nature

Wilderness guides with degrees in counseling

Many doctors agree that young people should keep their blood

pressure lower than 140. A study showed that people who walk in

the forest are healthier than those who walk in the city.

Research shows that there are health benefits associated with

forest bathing. Walking in a forest can help reduce blood pressure and stress hormones. People who have significant stress in their lives may especially benefit from forest bathing.

Philip Barr, a doctor at Duke University, notes that research

conducted in Japan shows that forest bathing can improve one’s

health. One study that focused on ways forest bathing is beneficial looked at walking in the forest compared to walking in a city.

Research suggests that forest bathing can lower blood pressure,

reduce stress hormones, and help people relax more. Medical

researchers in Japan have conducted these studies.