Island wellbeing - the benefit of forest bathing

The start of Petersons Hill Track

While the term “forest bathing” or shinrin-yoku was coined in the 1990s, the benefits of a wander in the woods have been known for centuries.  For the Japanese researchers it was seen as both an antidote to burnout from the tech-boom and as a way to encourage people to reconnect with native forests.  Seems even more relevant today.

As an eco therapy the results of forest bathing were both predictable and positive: time spent immersed in nature is good for us.  According to a recent article in National Geographic: Measurements of stress hormones, respiration, heart rate, and sweating suggest that short doses of nature—or even pictures of the natural world—can calm people down and sharpen their performance.

So, what is actually happening when you take a stroll up Petersons Hill Track or wander around Ulva Island?  According to researchers we have a physiological response including a 16% drop in the stress hormone cortisol, a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate.  They hypothesise that it is because our bodies respond more easily to an environment that we ‘evolved’ from and that we have an inherent knowledge of, compared with intensive, highly developed environments.  Additionally, being in an environment rich with smells (the translation of shinrin-yoku includes ‘taking in the forest environment’), sounds (bird song, wind rustling trees, waves lapping), and sights (the elusive mohua, inquisitive weka, or friendly robin) provides sensory distraction from screen times and scrolling.

It is my job to collect people from the ferry or flights, give them a short tour of Oban and then help them plan their stay on Stewart Island.  Without exception you can see people relax, unwind and breath.  The experience of staying on a remote island, surrounded by nature, little technology and a whole lot of fresh air is an incredible antidote to the stresses and worries of everyday life.  When guests depart they often appear different to how they arrived – more relaxed, more in control and often planning a return or further natural experiences. 

You really need to come and experience this for yourself!