Forest bathing enhances sleep, mood, and immunity: insights from low-latitude evergreen broad-leaved forests
IntroductionRapid urbanization and environmental degradation have escalated health challenges such as sleep disturbances, mood disorders, and chronic stress. Forest bathing, derived from Japan’s Shinrin-yoku, offers immersive sensory engagement with nature, providing psychological and physiological...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Forests and Global Change |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2025.1619569/full |
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| author | Xiangheng Dai Dongteng Liao Jianghua Ouyang Hongwei Xiao Zhongjie Tian Liujin Qiu Jinmei Yang Hao Wang Hao Wang Daocheng Gong Daocheng Gong Zhaojia Li Zhaojia Li Xu Wang Xu Wang Yunsong Xu Xiang Fang Jianmin Tan Meixiang Wang Beidi Zhou Huagui Peng Yihua Peng Qiang Wu |
| author_facet | Xiangheng Dai Dongteng Liao Jianghua Ouyang Hongwei Xiao Zhongjie Tian Liujin Qiu Jinmei Yang Hao Wang Hao Wang Daocheng Gong Daocheng Gong Zhaojia Li Zhaojia Li Xu Wang Xu Wang Yunsong Xu Xiang Fang Jianmin Tan Meixiang Wang Beidi Zhou Huagui Peng Yihua Peng Qiang Wu |
| author_sort | Xiangheng Dai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionRapid urbanization and environmental degradation have escalated health challenges such as sleep disturbances, mood disorders, and chronic stress. Forest bathing, derived from Japan’s Shinrin-yoku, offers immersive sensory engagement with nature, providing psychological and physiological benefits. Low-latitude evergreen broad-leaved forests may amplify these benefits due to phytoncides and negative ions.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, 36 healthy young participants recruited via WeChat were assessed within Tianjing Mountain Forest in Guangdong Province. Pre- and post-intervention evaluations used standardized measures: Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Self-Rating Scale of Sleep (SRSS), Profile of Mood States (POMS), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Routine blood tests, lymphocyte subset profiling, and immune markers (Aquaporin 9 (AQP9), Heat Shock Protein A6 (HSPA6), salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) (salivary IgA), and lysozyme) were measured immediately, one week, and one month post-intervention.ResultsSignificant improvements were observed across multiple domains. Sleep quality improved with decreased AIS scores during the intervention and lower SRSS scores up to one month post-intervention. POMS and PSS scores declined, indicating mood and stress improvements. Physiologically, transient hemoglobin and red blood cell increases occurred, with platelet normalization by one month. Immune profiling showed increased total, regulatory, and helper T cells, an improved CD4/CD8 ratio, and elevated B lymphocytes at one month. Serum AQP9 and HSPA6 levels decreased, while salivary IgA and lysozyme surged.DiscussionThese findings suggest forest bathing offers immediate and multidimensional health benefits, highlighting its potential as a non-pharmacological intervention for holistic well-being. The study advocates integrating natural spaces into urban planning and public health strategies to promote health in urbanized populations.Clinical trial registrationThis study had been registered at the China Clinical Trial Registration Center (registration number: ChiCTR2500096972; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=241942). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-294b692b430e425d99a3b10a7c7e20d8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2624-893X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Forests and Global Change |
| spelling | doaj-art-294b692b430e425d99a3b10a7c7e20d82025-08-20T03:28:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Forests and Global Change2624-893X2025-07-01810.3389/ffgc.2025.16195691619569Forest bathing enhances sleep, mood, and immunity: insights from low-latitude evergreen broad-leaved forestsXiangheng Dai0Dongteng Liao1Jianghua Ouyang2Hongwei Xiao3Zhongjie Tian4Liujin Qiu5Jinmei Yang6Hao Wang7Hao Wang8Daocheng Gong9Daocheng Gong10Zhaojia Li11Zhaojia Li12Xu Wang13Xu Wang14Yunsong Xu15Xiang Fang16Jianmin Tan17Meixiang Wang18Beidi Zhou19Huagui Peng20Yihua Peng21Qiang Wu22Department of Science and Education, Shaoguan First People’s Hospital, Shaoguan, ChinaThe First Clinical College of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, ChinaTianjingshan Forest Farm of Guangdong Province (Guangdong Tianjingshan National Forest Park Management Office), Shaoguan, ChinaDepartment of Science and Education, Shaoguan First People’s Hospital, Shaoguan, ChinaDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Shaoguan First People’s Hospital, Shaoguan, ChinaTianjingshan Forest Farm of Guangdong Province (Guangdong Tianjingshan National Forest Park Management Office), Shaoguan, ChinaTianjingshan Forest Farm of Guangdong Province (Guangdong Tianjingshan National Forest Park Management Office), Shaoguan, ChinaCollege of Environment and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Atmospheric Environment and Carbon Neutrality in Nanling Forests, Guangzhou, ChinaCollege of Environment and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Atmospheric Environment and Carbon Neutrality in Nanling Forests, Guangzhou, ChinaResearch Institute of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, ChinaBeijiangyuan National Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Nanling Mts. China, Guangzhou, ChinaResearch Institute of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, ChinaBeijiangyuan National Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Nanling Mts. China, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Science and Education, Shaoguan First People’s Hospital, Shaoguan, ChinaPrincess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands0Department of Prevention and Health Care, Shaoguan First People’s Hospital, Shaoguan, China0Department of Prevention and Health Care, Shaoguan First People’s Hospital, Shaoguan, China0Department of Prevention and Health Care, Shaoguan First People’s Hospital, Shaoguan, ChinaTianjingshan Forest Farm of Guangdong Province (Guangdong Tianjingshan National Forest Park Management Office), Shaoguan, ChinaDepartment of Science and Education, Shaoguan First People’s Hospital, Shaoguan, ChinaDepartment of Science and Education, Shaoguan First People’s Hospital, Shaoguan, ChinaIntroductionRapid urbanization and environmental degradation have escalated health challenges such as sleep disturbances, mood disorders, and chronic stress. Forest bathing, derived from Japan’s Shinrin-yoku, offers immersive sensory engagement with nature, providing psychological and physiological benefits. Low-latitude evergreen broad-leaved forests may amplify these benefits due to phytoncides and negative ions.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, 36 healthy young participants recruited via WeChat were assessed within Tianjing Mountain Forest in Guangdong Province. Pre- and post-intervention evaluations used standardized measures: Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Self-Rating Scale of Sleep (SRSS), Profile of Mood States (POMS), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Routine blood tests, lymphocyte subset profiling, and immune markers (Aquaporin 9 (AQP9), Heat Shock Protein A6 (HSPA6), salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) (salivary IgA), and lysozyme) were measured immediately, one week, and one month post-intervention.ResultsSignificant improvements were observed across multiple domains. Sleep quality improved with decreased AIS scores during the intervention and lower SRSS scores up to one month post-intervention. POMS and PSS scores declined, indicating mood and stress improvements. Physiologically, transient hemoglobin and red blood cell increases occurred, with platelet normalization by one month. Immune profiling showed increased total, regulatory, and helper T cells, an improved CD4/CD8 ratio, and elevated B lymphocytes at one month. Serum AQP9 and HSPA6 levels decreased, while salivary IgA and lysozyme surged.DiscussionThese findings suggest forest bathing offers immediate and multidimensional health benefits, highlighting its potential as a non-pharmacological intervention for holistic well-being. The study advocates integrating natural spaces into urban planning and public health strategies to promote health in urbanized populations.Clinical trial registrationThis study had been registered at the China Clinical Trial Registration Center (registration number: ChiCTR2500096972; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=241942).https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2025.1619569/fullsleep improvementmood regulationimmune modulationnature therapyforest bathing |
| spellingShingle | Xiangheng Dai Dongteng Liao Jianghua Ouyang Hongwei Xiao Zhongjie Tian Liujin Qiu Jinmei Yang Hao Wang Hao Wang Daocheng Gong Daocheng Gong Zhaojia Li Zhaojia Li Xu Wang Xu Wang Yunsong Xu Xiang Fang Jianmin Tan Meixiang Wang Beidi Zhou Huagui Peng Yihua Peng Qiang Wu Forest bathing enhances sleep, mood, and immunity: insights from low-latitude evergreen broad-leaved forests Frontiers in Forests and Global Change sleep improvement mood regulation immune modulation nature therapy forest bathing |
| title | Forest bathing enhances sleep, mood, and immunity: insights from low-latitude evergreen broad-leaved forests |
| title_full | Forest bathing enhances sleep, mood, and immunity: insights from low-latitude evergreen broad-leaved forests |
| title_fullStr | Forest bathing enhances sleep, mood, and immunity: insights from low-latitude evergreen broad-leaved forests |
| title_full_unstemmed | Forest bathing enhances sleep, mood, and immunity: insights from low-latitude evergreen broad-leaved forests |
| title_short | Forest bathing enhances sleep, mood, and immunity: insights from low-latitude evergreen broad-leaved forests |
| title_sort | forest bathing enhances sleep mood and immunity insights from low latitude evergreen broad leaved forests |
| topic | sleep improvement mood regulation immune modulation nature therapy forest bathing |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2025.1619569/full |
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