Science Snippet: ‘Walk In The Woods’ Therapy

“Walk In The Woods” therapy? Numerous studies have shown that walking in a forest has beneficial health effects. One study showed that women living in heavily vegetated areas had a 12 percent lower risk of death from all causes compared with urban dwellers. Japanese researchers found that people who take two long walks through forests on consecutive days increased critical immune cells called NK cells by 50 percent. The effects are apparently due to inhaling chemicals released by plants called phytocides. These aromatic chemicals protect plants from insects as well as rotting. Also, a walk in the woods helps reduce stress hormones and can even lower blood pressure. A 45-minute walk through the woods is an inexpensive therapy to help keep you healthy. (loyolamedicine.org/news/boost-your-immunesystem; Time magazine, July 25, 2016; ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19568835l; other sources)