At The Forest Bathing Institute (TFBI), we have always believed that nature is the ultimate pharmacy. However, believing it and proving it are two different things. Over the last few years, our team, led by Gary Evans, has worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern clinical science. We aren’t just talking about a pleasant stroll in the park; we are talking about a specific, structured intervention known as Forest Bathing+ (FB+).
Forest World Economic Forum Top Innovator in Forest Therapy
The global community is starting to take notice. We are incredibly proud to share that The Forest Bathing Institute has been recognised by the World Economic Forum as a ‘Top Innovator’ via their UpLink platform. This recognition highlights our commitment to nature-based solutions for global health challenges, specifically our work in developing Forest Bathing+ as a credible mental health intervention.
Forest Bathing & Forest Therapy TFBI Evidence Summary
- Anxiety Reduction: Identified in 3+ independent studies, including controlled trials and applied programmes.
- Depressive Symptom Improvement: Demonstrated in 3+ studies, including controlled trials and student population research.
- Negative Mood Reduction: Evidenced in 4+ studies, showing significant reductions in tension, anger, fatigue, confusion, and depressive affect.
- Positive Mood Increase: Identified in 3+ studies, including increases in vigour, esteem-related affect, and positive emotional state.
- Stress Reduction: Observed across controlled trials, psychometric profiling, and emerging psychophysiological research.
- Wellbeing & Social Connection: Validated in both controlled research and real-world implementation with vulnerable and underserved populations (asylum seekers, individuals at risk of homelessness).
- Nature Connectedness: Supported by environmental mechanism studies highlighting biologically plausible pathways (NVOCs).
Summary Conclusion: The accumulated evidence demonstrates that Forest Bathing+ is not a recreational activity, but a structured, evidence-informed mental health intervention with academic validation, biological plausibility, and translational readiness for national health infrastructure.
What Makes Forest Bathing+ Different?
It is a common misconception that “forest bathing” is simply a synonym for hiking or walking the dog. While any time spent outdoors is beneficial, Forest Bathing+ is a distinct, evidence-led practice. Traditional forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, originated in Japan in the 1980s. Our refined “plus” version incorporates the most widely tested UK outdoor wellbeing intervention designed specifically for the UK’s unique woodland environments and population needs.
Forest Bathing+ is a structured mental health intervention that uses specific sensory exercises to slow the heart rate, lower cortisol levels, and transition the nervous system from a state of ‘fight or flight’ (sympathetic) to one of ‘rest and digest’ (parasympathetic). It is the difference between passing through nature and truly connecting with it.
The Landmark Evidence: McEwan et al. (2021)
Our journey toward clinical legitimacy reached a major milestone with the publication of the McEwan et al. (2021) study, conducted in collaboration with the University of Derby. This research didn’t just suggest that people felt better; it provided statistically significant data on how effective FB+ can be for mental health.
The study followed participants through a structured FB+ programme and recorded some staggering results. Most notably, the research found a significant reduction in anxiety levels among participants. Furthermore, there were marked improvements in mood, a significant reduction in stress, and an increased sense of social connection.
For a healthcare system like the NHS, which is currently grappling with a mental health crisis, these figures are revolutionary. A non-pharmacological intervention that can reduce anxiety levels is not just a “nice to have”, it is a clinical necessity.
Global Validation: The Li et al. (2024) Replication
Science relies on replication. To ensure our UK findings weren’t an anomaly, we participated in an international collaboration led by Dr. Qing Li, the world’s leading expert in forest medicine. The 2024 study (Li et al.) successfully replicated the positive outcomes of forest bathing in UK woodlands, confirming that our native broadleaf and coniferous forests possess similar therapeutic potential as the famous forests of Japan.
This international validation proves that Forest Bathing+ is a universal human remedy. Whether you are in the foothills of Mount Fuji or the Surrey Hills, the physiological response remains consistent.
The Chemistry of the Woods: NVOCs and Phytoncides
Why does this happen? The answer lies in the air itself. Trees emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), often referred to as phytoncides. These are natural antimicrobial allelochemicals that protect trees from rotting and pests. When humans breathe in these Nature Volatile Organic Compounds (NVOCs), our bodies react.
Research indicates that exposure to NVOCs:
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- Boosts the activity of Natural Killer (NK) cells, which help fight off infections and even tumours.
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- Lowers blood pressure and heart rate.
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- Reduces the production of stress hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline.
By staying in the forest for an extended, structured session, we are essentially “marinating” in a biological soup that actively repairs our physiological systems.
Real-World Impact: Green Social Prescribing
We are no longer confined to the laboratory. Forest Bathing+ is being implemented across the UK through various pioneering projects:
1. Surrey Heartlands Green Social Prescribing
We have worked closely with the NHS Surrey Heartlands to integrate FB+ into their social prescribing pathways. This allows GPs to “prescribe” nature to patients suffering from mild to moderate depression and anxiety, providing a holistic alternative or supplement to traditional talking therapies or medication.
2. 2026 The Mother Nature Project
Maternal mental health is a critical area where we’ve seen incredible results. The Mother Nature Project specifically focuses on mothers experiencing postnatal depression or anxiety. By providing a safe, guided space in nature, we help these women reconnect with themselves and find a supportive community of peers.
3. Student Wellbeing
University life can be a pressure cooker of stress. Our work with academic institutions has shown that introducing students to FB+ can significantly improve their resilience and focus, helping them manage the transition into adulthood and higher education.
The Economic Argument: Saving the NHS £141 Million
At TFBI, we understand that for nature-based therapy to be adopted at scale, it must make economic sense. Our comprehensive evidence summary includes an economic analysis that should make every policymaker take notice.
Based on the reduction in GP visits, reduced reliance on antidepressants, and the overall improvement in Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALY), it is estimated that the widespread adoption of Forest Bathing+ could potentially save the NHS millions per year. Investing in our woodlands isn’t just an environmental priority; it is a financial one.
Our research and its economic implications have been featured in major publications like The Telegraph and Metro, highlighting the growing national interest in our work.
Future Focus: Digital Therapeutics and the NHS Long Term Plan
We are always looking forward. While nothing replaces the physical experience of being in a forest, we recognise that not everyone has immediate access to woodland, especially those in hospitals or urban high-rises.
To solve this, TFBI is exploring Digital Therapeutics (VR). By using high-fidelity 360-degree video and spatial audio, we are bringing the forest to the patient. Early trials suggest that “Digital Forest Bathing” can still trigger significant relaxation responses, making it a powerful tool for palliative care and recovery wards.
This aligns perfectly with the NHS Long Term Plan, which emphasises personalised care and a move toward community-based, preventative health measures.
Looking Ahead: A Call to Collaboration
The evidence is clear: Forest Bathing+ works. It is a cost-effective, scientifically validated, and deeply human way to address the modern epidemic of stress and mental ill-health.
We invite NHS Trusts, academic institutions, and wellness organisations to join us. We are looking for partners to help us expand our research, train more guides, and ultimately make the healing power of the forest accessible to everyone in the UK.
If you are interested in learning more about our training programmes or how to integrate FB+ into your healthcare pathway, please visit our website at www.tfb.institute.
Together, we can turn the “Science of Serenity” into a standard of care.
References
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- Li, Q., et al. (2024). “International Replication Study: The Physiological and Psychological Effects of Forest Bathing in UK Woodlands.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
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- World Economic Forum (2024). “Top Innovators: Nature-Based Solutions for Health.” UpLink Platform.
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- NHS England (2019). The NHS Long Term Plan.
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- Park, B. J., et al. (2010). “The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku: evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan.” Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine.
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- Korn, L. (2023). “Nature-Based Interventions for Mental Health across Diverse Populations.” Integrative Medicine Review.
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