The Health Benefits of Forest Bathing

Being a tropical country, it’s a good thing that we can always find solace in the lush greenery offered by our forests. But did you know that taking refuge, even for a short while, under the canopy can improve your life and bring plenty of benefits?

Forest bathing, or what is known in Japanese as shinrin-yoku, is a cornerstone of preventive healthcare and healing in Japanese medicine. The concept was first established in Japan in the 1980s, and since then it has been backed by multiple South Korean and Japanese studies. The studies have found direct correlation between numerous health benefits and the exposure to a living forest.

Some of the most significant health benefits that a person can get from exposure to forests are: a boost to our immune system, lower blood pressure, lower stress levels, improved mood, increased focus, and better sleep. But aside from these, it can also help us increase creativity, allows us to relax, and increases our happiness.

This is the reason why the Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA) is advocating for more people to experience forest bathing.

“We all know what our forests do for our environment,” Charlie Liu, Chairman of PWPA said. “Forest bathing goes beyond that and shows what a healthy forest can do for individuals. It is heartening that more and more Filipinos are choosing to discover the health benefits of our forests through forest bathing.”

Aside from encouraging more Filipinos to visit their forests, PWPA is campaigning for the protection of our forests and the practice of sustainable forest management to promote the well-being of the local forestry industry. The organization continuously promotes wood, which when harnessed sustainably, can be an important driver of growth and development for many communities in the Philippines and its economy as a whole.

In line with its goal to increase the sustainable use of wood, PWPA is holding the Philippine Wood Expo 2019 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza this October 21 to 22. The event promises to be a great opportunity for suppliers and manufacturers of wood products as well as wood enthusiasts to showcase their products and innovative technologies to attendees coming from various countries.

The Philippine Wood Expo 2019 aims to expand the reach of businesses in the wood sector by providing them with the opportunity to interface with other industry players.

To learn more about PWPA or to learn how you can take part in the Philippine Wood Expo 2019, visit their website at http://www.pwpa.org.ph and join their fight for a better tomorrow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pwpa.philwood.

Feature Image Photo Credit: Holistc Kenko