Topic Editors

Department of Forest Utilization, Institute of Forest Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS), Warsaw, Poland
Department of Landscape Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, 61300 Brno, Czech Republic
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nippon Medical School Hospital, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan
International Bachelor Program of Agribusiness, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City 40227, Taiwan

Impact of the Forest Environment on Public Health: Forest Recreation, Forest Therapy, and Forest Bathing

Abstract submission deadline
30 April 2026
Manuscript submission deadline
30 June 2026
Viewed by
2698

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

With advances in technology and civilisation, people are gradually starting to feel more and more disconnected from the natural world, with very negative consequences for health. People are facing new technostresses, and these stresses are threatening their health. It is becoming more and more urgent to reverse this trend and seek solutions to facilitate contact with nature. Nature is as important for people's wellbeing and mental health as it is for society's ability to cope with global change, health risks and disasters. It has been reported that forest bathing/shinrin-yoku reduces mental and physical stress. People need nature in their lives, not only because of the need for health, but also because contact with nature makes them more creative and able to think innovatively. Forest ecosystems are an important place for recreation and leisure, the realisation of physical activity, and they contribute to building good social relations and shaping pro-environmental behaviour. In addition, forests increase people's resilience, protect them from noise and allow them to breathe cleaner air. There is a lot of scientific evidence indicating that nature can help people rebuild, regenerate their psycho-physical strength. By helping people maintain the adaptive resources needed to cope with the demands of life, nature can reduce the risk of chronic stress-related illnesses and promote a range of intermediate values, such as improved wellbeing and focused attention. This Topic aims to highlight the importance of forest ecosystems in promoting public health, as well as to promote awareness of the impact of the forest on human health.

Dr. Emilia Janeczko
Dr. Jitka Fialova
Prof. Dr. Qing Li
Prof. Dr. Chi-Ming Hsieh
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • cultural services of forest ecosystems
  • nature deficit
  • human health
  • public health
  • forest bathing
  • forest medicine
  • forest therapy
  • shinrin-yoku
  • stress

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Healthcare
healthcare
2.7 4.7 2013 22.4 Days CHF 2700 Submit
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
ijerph
- 8.5 2004 29.5 Days CHF 2500 Submit
Sustainability
sustainability
3.3 7.7 2009 17.9 Days CHF 2400 Submit

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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16 pages, 2686 KB  
Article
Effects of Forest Trail and Ground Walking on Mental and Physical Health Promotion in Middle-Aged Women Living in Urban Areas
by Eunheui Nam and Seongwoo Jeon
Healthcare 2025, 13(22), 2876; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13222876 - 12 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 483
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Recently, the importance of physical activity for health promotion has increased the demand for physical activities performed in natural environments. However, environmental characteristics that enhance the efficiency of physical activities and contribute to health promotion have not yet been established. This study [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Recently, the importance of physical activity for health promotion has increased the demand for physical activities performed in natural environments. However, environmental characteristics that enhance the efficiency of physical activities and contribute to health promotion have not yet been established. This study aimed to verify the mental and physical health of walking in different environments by measuring EEG and HR responses among middle-aged women living in urban areas during forest trail (GU) and school ground (NF) walking. Methods: In total, 30 middle-aged women participated in a 1.5 km walking, with HR measured during normal, NF, and GU walking. EEGs were recorded before and after walking 5 waves (Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma). All data were collected under standardized conditions and analyzed using paired t-tests. Results: Alpha, beta, and gamma waves increased after GU walking (p < 0.001) but decreased after NF walking, suggesting that walking in natural environments promotes emotional stability, attentional recovery, and cognitive activation. Mean HR during GU was higher than during NF (p < 0.001), and NF walking corresponded to moderate-intensity exercise, whereas GU walking represented vigorous-intensity activity, likely influenced by its 5% slope and multi-sensory natural stimuli such as forest, sounds, and air quality. Conclusions: This study is not a clinical trial but a health experiment of physical activity, highlighting how walking in natural environments can contribute to improved health. The walking environment elicits distinct mental and physical responses, and forest walking has proven to be more effective in improving health. This result highlights the value of nature-based exercise spaces accessible in urban environments and can help with design and health policies. Full article
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12 pages, 260 KB  
Article
The Psychological Benefits of Forest Bathing in Individuals with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Pilot Study
by Mayte Serrat, Estíbaliz Royuela-Colomer, Sandra Alonso-Marsol, Sònia Ferrés, Ruben Nieto, Albert Feliu-Soler and Anna Muro
Healthcare 2025, 13(14), 1654; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13141654 - 9 Jul 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1774
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The main objective of the present study is to assess the short-term effects of Forest Bathing (FB) conducted in a Mediterranean forest on individuals with fibromyalgia (FM) and/or chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgia encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) on perceived pain, fatigue, state anxiety, positive and negative [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The main objective of the present study is to assess the short-term effects of Forest Bathing (FB) conducted in a Mediterranean forest on individuals with fibromyalgia (FM) and/or chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgia encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) on perceived pain, fatigue, state anxiety, positive and negative affect, mood states, and state mindfulness. Methods: A total of 44 participants with FM and/or CSF/ME agreed to participate in this study. The FB session consisted of a 3 km silent walk, lasting three hours and guided by a specialized psychologist and a mountain guide to guarantee the safety of the activity. Paired-sample t-tests were used to analyze the pre–post changes in perceived pain, fatigue, state anxiety, positive and negative affect, mood states, and mindfulness. Results: All reported variables but self-reported pain showed statistically significant pre–post variations after the FB session. Particularly, large-to-very-large improvements in positive and negative affect, state anxiety, tension, depression, anger, and vigor were found. Small-to-moderate effect sizes for fatigue, friendliness, and state mindfulness were also reported. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence of the short-term benefits of FB in individuals with FM and/or CFS/ME, especially on state anxiety and negative affect. Full article
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