Any activity like walking is better than prolonged sitting and should be encouraged.
"Forest bathing" is a term used more in Japan for exercising in greenspaces and forests. It has been suggested that forest bathing is a healthier form of exercise. Now it has been put to the test in a new study.
The authors conducted an unblinded randomized controlled trial involving healthy men aged 40–70 to compare the physiological and psychological effects of forest and urban walking.
Eighty-four participants were randomly assigned to either the forest or urban group, with 78 completing 90-min walks and analysis. The primary outcome measured was the change in saliva-secreted immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels. Evaluating researchers were blinded to the groups, but participants and on-site staff were not.
The authors demonstrated a significant increase in saliva-secreted immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels in the forest group. Furthermore, forest walking resulted in improved mood, including a reduction in stress hormone levels like cortisol.
Salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) is a mediator of local immunity and host defence. Reduced IgA levels may predispose to bacterial invasion of the mucosa in the gastrointestinal tract, including the oral cavity and elevated levels, as were found after forest walking, enhance health measures.
Mindful forest walking has the potential to enhance immunity and promote health. The findings show that, compared with urban walking, forest walking considerably raises sIgA levels and enhances mucosal immune function.
Furthermore, forest walking decreased the levels of stress hormone cortisol significantly and positively affect mood profiles. These effects were observed even after adjusting for baseline values and total physical activity during forest and urban walking.
Any exercise is good exercise but, when you can, try go get out in a park, forest, or green enjoy to lower your stress and boost your immune health.
