Nature therapy
Health practice
Why this is trending
Interest in “Nature therapy” spiked on Wikipedia on 2026-02-26.
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Key Takeaways
- Nature therapy , sometimes referred to as ecotherapy , grounding , or earthing , is a practice that describes a broad group of techniques or treatments using nature to improve mental or physical health.
- Spending time in nature has various physiological benefits such as relaxation and stress reduction.
- Recent studies also emphasized its role in supporting mental well-being by improving attention, emotional balance, and overall mood stability.
- History Scientists in the 1950s looked into the reasons humans chose to spend time in nature.
- Several countries, including Finland and South Korea, later created national programs highlighting preventative and therapeutic health benefits tied to regular time in nature.
Nature therapy, sometimes referred to as ecotherapy, grounding, or earthing, is a practice that describes a broad group of techniques or treatments using nature to improve mental or physical health. Various types of nature therapy include forest therapy, forest bathing, shinrin-yoku, and Sami Lok. Spending time in nature has various physiological benefits such as relaxation and stress reduction. Additionally, it can enhance cardiovascular health and reduce risks of high blood pressure.
Recent studies also emphasized its role in supporting mental well-being by improving attention, emotional balance, and overall mood stability.
These effects are usually linked to the body's natural stress recovery process, in which contact with nature decreases cortisol levels and heart rate.
History
Scientists in the 1950s looked into the reasons humans chose to spend time in nature. There is relatively recent history of the term Shinrin-yoku (森林浴) or 'forest bathing' gaining momentum as a term and concept within American culture; the term 'forest bathing' and Shrinrin-yoku was first popularized in Japan by the former head of the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Tomohide Akiyama, in 1982 to encourage more people to visit the forests.
This initiative was created to promote relaxation and reduce stress among Japan's urban population during the time of a rapid industrialization.
Several countries, including Finland and South Korea, later created national programs highlighting preventative and therapeutic health benefits tied to regular time in nature.
Today, nature therapy continues to develop as an interdisciplinary field, connecting insights from public health, environmental science, as well as psychology.
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