Mindfulness and Shinrin-Yoku: Potential for Physiological and Psychological Interventions during Uncertain Times

Timko Olson, Erica R.; Hansen, Margaret M.; Vermeesch, Amber

doi:10.3390/ijerph17249340

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Mindfulness and Shinrin-Yoku: Potential for Physiological and Psychological Interventions during Uncertain Times

Erica R. Timko Olson

^1,*

Margaret M. Hansen

² and

Amber Vermeesch

School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus, 308 Harvard Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA

School of Nursing and Health Professions, University of San Francisco, 2130 Fulton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA

School of Nursing, University of Portland, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd, Portland, OR 97203, USA

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(24), 9340; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249340

Received: 11 November 2020 / Revised: 5 December 2020 / Accepted: 10 December 2020 / Published: 14 December 2020

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Topical Collection: Nature, Mindfulness and Social Isolation in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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Abstract

Mindfulness and Shinrin-yoku (SY) translated as forest bathing, is potentially effective to alleviate mental health issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The purpose of this article is to provide a translational and pragmatic approach to understanding mindfulness in the context of SY and psychological wellbeing through a rapid review of the literature. The background of mindfulness and SY practice are discussed and the emotional, neuroendocrine, and neurobiological responses are examined. Next, a rapid review of the literature examined six studies, published between 2010 and 2020 to determine what is known regarding the relationship between SY, mindfulness, and psychological wellbeing. The studies included 21–360 participants with a mean age of 20–55 years. The results demonstrated a significant positive correlation between nature, mindfulness, and measures of psychological wellbeing. During uncertain events, including COVID-19, weaving mindfulness with SY may be specifically important to at-risk groups, those experiencing depression, loneliness, and social isolation, and at-risk populations such as college students, veterans, and professionals with high levels of stress. The goal of this review is to provide a thorough background and support of this cost-effective modality to promote overall psychological wellbeing as a preventative measure to those at risk or experiencing psychological illnesses. View Full-Text

Keywords: mindfulness; Shinrin-yoku; forest bathing; anxiety; mental health; wellbeing

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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MDPI and ACS Style

Timko Olson, E.R.; Hansen, M.M.; Vermeesch, A. Mindfulness and Shinrin-Yoku: Potential for Physiological and Psychological Interventions during Uncertain Times. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 9340. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249340

AMA Style

Timko Olson ER, Hansen MM, Vermeesch A. Mindfulness and Shinrin-Yoku: Potential for Physiological and Psychological Interventions during Uncertain Times. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(24):9340. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249340

Chicago/Turabian Style

Timko Olson, Erica R., Margaret M. Hansen, and Amber Vermeesch. 2020. "Mindfulness and Shinrin-Yoku: Potential for Physiological and Psychological Interventions during Uncertain Times" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 24: 9340. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249340

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Mindfulness and Shinrin-Yoku: Potential for Physiological and Psychological Interventions during Uncertain Times

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