Forest therapy is increasingly being discussed not just as a relaxing nature activity, but as an evidence-informed public health practice.
INFTA’s research overview describes forest therapy as a guided practice combining physical and mental exercises in suitable forest surroundings. The intended outcomes include a calmer heart rate, reduced blood pressure, lower stress levels, improved breathing, stronger immune function and better overall wellbeing.
The importance of this work becomes clearer when we consider the pressures of modern urban life. INFTA links forest therapy to wider challenges including lifestyle disease, urbanisation, stress, reduced contact with forests and the need for accessible preventive health practices.
The research landscape
The research field now includes studies on mental health, blood pressure, cortisol, immune markers, phytoncides, attention restoration, stress reduction and physiological relaxation.
Useful theoretical frameworks include the biophilia hypothesis, Attention Restoration Theory and Stress Reduction Theory. Together, these suggest that natural environments may help restore attention, calm the stress response and support a deeper human affinity with living systems.
Relevance for organisations
For workplaces, this is especially relevant. Corporate wellbeing often focuses on productivity, resilience and support after stress has already accumulated. Forest therapy offers a different approach: prevention through guided restoration, sensory regulation and meaningful time in natural environments.
The evidence base is still developing, and forest therapy should not be positioned as medical treatment. But the direction is compelling. A structured forest therapy session may offer a simple, human and cost-effective way to support wellbeing in a world that is increasingly fast, urban and overstimulated.
Source note: Based on INFTA’s The Status Quo of Research in Forest Therapy.