Background: Current literature supports the comprehensive health benefits of exposure to nature and green environments on human systems. The aim of this state-of-the-art review is to elucidate empirical research conducted on the physiological and psychological effects of Shinrin-Yoku (or Forest Bathing) in transcontinental Japan and China. Furthermore, we aim to encourage healthcare professionals to conduct longitudinal research in Western cultures regarding the clinically therapeutic effects of Shinrin-Yoku and, for healthcare providers/students to consider practicing Shinrin-Yoku to decrease undue stress and potential burnout. Methods: A thorough review was conducted to identify research published with an initial open date range and then narrowing the collection to include papers published from 2007 to 2017. Electronic databases (PubMed, PubMed Central, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Scopus) and snowball references were used to cull papers that evaluated the use of Shinrin-Yoku for various populations in diverse settings. Results: From the 127 papers initially culled using the Boolean phrases: “Shinrin-yoku” AND/OR “forest bathing” AND/OR “nature therapy”, 64 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this summary review and then divided into “physiological,” “psychological,” “sensory metrics” and “frameworks” sub-groups. Conclusions: Human health benefits associated with the immersion in nature continue to be currently researched. Longitudinal research, conducted worldwide, is needed to produce new evidence of the relationships associated with Shinrin-Yoku and clinical therapeutic effects. Nature therapy as a health-promotion method and potential universal health model is implicated for the reduction of reported modern-day “stress-state” and “technostress.”.

Journal of Medical Internet Research - International Scientific Journal for Medical Research, Information and Communication on the Internet

Mindfulness and Shinrin-yoku (SY) translated as forest bathing, is potentially effective to alleviate mental health issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The purpose of this article is to provide a translational and pragmatic approach to understanding mindfulness in the context of SY and psychological wellbeing through a rapid review of the literature. The background of mindfulness and SY practice are discussed and the emotional, neuroendocrine, and neurobiological responses are examined. Next, a rapid review of the literature examined six studies, published between 2010 and 2020 to determine what is known regarding the relationship between SY, mindfulness, and psychological wellbeing. The studies included 21–360 participants with a mean age of 20–55 years. The results demonstrated a significant positive correlation between nature, mindfulness, and measures of psychological wellbeing. During uncertain events, including COVID-19, weaving mindfulness with SY may be specifically important to at-risk groups, those experiencing depression, loneliness, and social isolation, and at-risk populations such as college students, veterans, and professionals with high levels of stress. The goal of this review is to provide a thorough background and support of this cost-effective modality to promote overall psychological wellbeing as a preventative measure to those at risk or experiencing psychological illnesses.

Complementary therapies (CT), such as relaxation technique, massage, guided imagery, and accupuncture have shown to benefit patients undergoing surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using audio relaxation technique (ART), music intervention (MI), nature video application with music (NVAM), and nature video application without music (NVA) delivered via mobile technologies in a clinical setting. Secondary, the effects of ART, MI, NVAM and NVA on patients’ state anxiety, pain perception, and perceived self-efficacy in healing were determined. A randomized clinical trial (RCT) involving 105 same day surgery (SDS) patients, who were assigned to an ART (n = 25), MI (n = 25), NVAM (n = 15), NVA (n = 16), or a control group (n = 24) were assessed for state anxiety, self-reported pain, and self-efficacy four days prior to surgery, immediately prior and following a surgical intervention, and day five post-operative. ANOVA found no statistically significant differences in anxiety scores; pain, or perceived self-efficacy between the five groups. Matched pairs t-Test revealed all participants had an increase in anxiety from pre-op to day 10 follow-up; a significant change in pain levels from pre-op to day 10 follow-up; and all participants had a significant increase in general self-efficacy from pre-op to day 10 follow-up. Mean pain level scores from day 1 to pre-op showed a significant decrease in pain for the ART group and NVAM group. Matched pairs t-Test for self-efficacy scores indicated the MI group and the NVA group had significant increases in self-efficacy. A significant decrease in anxiety from pre-op to day 10 for participants reporting a prior history of anxiety and for those reporting prior history of taking anti-anxiety medications. Despite the non-significant findings between the five groups, at any measurement point, there were valuable trends toward significance and confirmed feasibility in a clinical setting. Among the groups there were statistically significant findings for all interventions on anxiety, pain, and self-efficacy. The feasability of the implementation of novel interventions of NVAM and NVAM adds to clinical practice and the CT literature. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02236455 (September 4, 2014)

Background and objectives: Shinrin-yoku (SY; Forest Bathing) is an integrative practice known to improve humans' physiologic and psychologic health and well-being by mindfully using the five human senses while relaxing in natural environments. In addition, it may be effective in enhancing or revealing human spirituality. The World Health Organization defines an individual's well-being as an awareness of one's fullest possible physical, psychologic, social, spiritual, and economic self. Recent evidence suggests that nature promotes spiritual well-being. Hence, the authors performed a scoping review of the literature with regard to the evidence of the interrelationship of SY/nature and spirituality with an aim to identify gaps in knowledge and assist with furthering empirical research. Methods: The PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) methodological approach, presented by Tricco et al., was utilized by searching the electronic databases, CINAHL, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, PsychInfo, and ScienceDirect separately, for authors using key terms shinrin-yoku, forest bathing, nature based therapy, spirituality, health, wellbeing, awe, and wonder. Results: Of the 30 publications, 13 met the eligibility criteria and were included in the synthesis. The authors discovered that, despite the different research methodologies and publications, nature may have a positive effect on human spirituality and, therefore, enriching individuals' well-being. Conclusions: SY is an integrative practice that may enhance or actualize human spirituality. More research is needed to determine the interrelationship of SY and human spirituality in achieving one's fullest possible self.

Background and objective: Historically, there has been a paucity of research regarding stress and burnout in nursing students. However, during the past five years research focusing on the predictors associated with stress and burnout has been conducted. Continued research contributions to the nursing education literature are necessary due to the current 70% nursing burnout rate. The aim of this study was to explore undergraduate and graduate nursing students’ perceived stress and burnout in order to design a future intervention study.Methods: Pollock’s Nursing Adaptation Model served as a conceptual framework. Correlational descriptive non-interventional survey design was used to gather data from consented participants (N = 217). The Perceived Stress Scale and Maslach’s Burnout Inventory were provided. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, and multiple comparison t-tests (Tukey’s adjustment).Results: Students who spent more time per week on homework and studying for exams tended to be more stressed and cynical. Students enrolled in graduate level courses tended to be more cynical and exhausted. Undergraduate students demonstrated a stronger sense of professional efficacy. Students who spent less than five hours studying for exams per week reported more exhaustion, suggesting external factors may be influential. Certain recreational activities were found to be related to stress, cynicism and exhaustion levels, suggesting students with a recreational outlet may be better able to cope. Significant associations between students’ hours spent on academic work and family circumstances may provide an explanation of academic pressures.Conclusions: Our findings highlight nursing students having significantly higher stress and cynicism levels associated with the amount of homework and study hours for exams per week. Furthermore, students studying less reported being more exhausted. Collaboratively, nurse educators and students are wise to develop healthy interventions to enhance students’ health and learning. Reportedly, healthcare providers are experiencing burnout and unhealthy stress-coping behaviors. Educators are in a position to role model and educate healthy lifestyle choices.