The season of fresh green leaves.
Being surrounded by vibrant greenery can help you relax and feel energized for the next day.
The coming season is the best time for such "forest bathing."

It's also fun to relax in the forest and chat with family and friends.
Here are some interesting facts about forest bathing that you'll want to talk about.

"Forest bathing" is a culture born in Japan

Did you know that the term "forest bathing" is also called "Shinrin-yoku" in English?

It seems that it has not been translated into an appropriate English word, such as "Kawaii" or "Manga."

This is because forest bathing is a culture that originated in Japan.

70% of Japan's land area is forest

Japan, where the term "forest bathing" was coined, has forests covering approximately 70% of its land area.
The global average for forest coverage is around 30%, so you can see that this is an outstanding number.

By the way, the forest coverage rate in Switzerland, where Heidi, Girl of the Alps is set, is about 30% on average.
It may be surprising that it is less than half of Japan's rate.

Japan has the third highest forest coverage in the world!

Approximately 67% of Japan's land area is covered by forests.
The percentage of forest cover is the third highest in the world after Finland and Sweden.
When you see this data, it's easy to understand why the term "forest bathing" was born.

However, Japan has a much larger population than Finland or Sweden, so the forest area per capita is lower.
This may be the reason why we don't realize how many forests there are in our daily lives.

Japan's forests are not decreasing!

It is often thought that forests are decreasing with the development of civilization, but it turns out that Japan's forest area has remained unchanged since 30 years ago.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and other organizations have created various systems and laws to protect forest trees, such as requiring new seedlings to be planted when trees are cut down.

The substance "phytoncide" is the key to healing in forest bathing

Recent research has shown that a substance called "phytoncide" emitted by trees has the effect of relieving fatigue.
In particular, the phytoncides emitted by coniferous trees such as pine, cypress, and cedar are said to stimulate the human parasympathetic nervous system (the nervous system that becomes dominant when relaxed), and soothe the mind and body.

Most of Japan's forests are made up of conifers.
This shows that the forests have a greater relaxing effect than forests in other countries.

Of course, forests are also full of negative ions.

You can also soak up plenty of negative ions, which were all the rage a while ago, in the forest.

Negative ions are floating objects with a negative charge.
It was discovered by a German scientist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1905. (In other words, it is a substance with a chemical basis.)

Negative ions are emitted in large amounts from water spray, so it is thought that they are abundant in forests with streams and waterfalls.
This also acts on the parasympathetic nervous system, making you feel relaxed.

Surrounded by the natural rhythm of "1/f fluctuation"

One healing effect that should not be forgotten is "1/f fluctuation."

1/f fluctuation is a movement that appears regular but is actually irregularly "fluctuating," and it is thought that natural sounds such as the sound of rain and the rustling of trees exhibit this 1/f fluctuation.

Forest bathing allows you to listen to this soothing rhythm of nature in a comfortable, clean-air environment.

There's no way you won't feel relaxed and refreshed.

There is a way to feel "1/f fluctuation" at home!

By the way, Healing Plaza's CDs are based on this "1/f fluctuation."

It would be difficult to go to the forest every day just because you wanted to.

Why not keep a CD like this on hand, as you can enjoy a little forest bathing experience just by playing the music before going to bed or on the weekends?

Forest Healing ~ Stress Reset
Price: ¥1,980 (tax included)

The chirping of birds, the murmuring of a stream, the wind blowing through the trees...
Natural sounds have a soothing fluctuation called "1/f fluctuation."
Furthermore, the sounds of the forest contain many high-frequency sounds that have a relaxing effect, making them extremely effective for changing your mood and relieving stress.
This CD is refreshing healing music, filled with the natural sounds of the refreshing forest.
When you feel mentally tired, anxious, or tense, try listening to music and taking deep, relaxing breaths, as if you were taking a walk in the forest.