Forest and Wellbeing: Bridging Medical and Forest Research for Effective Forest-Based Initiatives

Abstract

Research Highlights: This review gives an overview of existing literature on the emerging topic of human wellbeing-forest contact nexus and provides a preliminary framework linking forests to wellbeing by highlighting key variables affecting this relationship. Background and Objectives: Existing literature reveals the psychological, physiological and social wellbeing benefits of contact with forest ecosystems; however, the role of forests in this relationship remains largely unexplored. The objectives of this review are twofold: (i) to provide an overview of the contributions of forest experiences to human wellbeing and the related interplay with forest ecosystems and (ii) to identify knowledge gaps to inform future research and systematize information available for forest managers and planners to support the development of effective forest-based initiatives. Materials and Methods: A scoping review was performed with a five-phase method integrating a systematic approach on Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed databases and snowball search. Studies were analyzed using a descriptive-analytical method. Results: Overall, 93 papers were included in the review. These are mainly from health-related sciences providing limited information for forest managers, planners and practitioners. Four main underlying variables of the forest-wellbeing relationship are identified: interaction, forest features, sensorial dimension of the forest and individual traits and reactions. Conclusions: Forest-based initiatives provide good opportunities for supporting public health and time spent in contact with forests seems to have a “health-bonus”. Whether and to what extent forest management can contribute to this is still poorly investigated. There is the need to better study causal relationships between specific forest features, type of interactions, frequency and “dose” of experiences, individual reactions and needs and wellbeing effects to maximize benefits from forest-based initiatives.

A nature-based health intervention at a military healthcare center: a randomized, controlled, cross-over study

“…This near-universal finding supports that natural environments are generally enjoyed more than urban ones. Our data are consistent with prior findings of nature's beneficial effects compared to urban environments (Bielinis et al, 2018;Doimo, Masiero & Gatto, 2020;Hansen & Jones, 2020;Kotera, Richardson & Sheffield, 2020;Park et al, 2011).…”

“…City living impacts mental health negatively and contributes to increased amygdala activity, negative affect, stress, mood and anxiety disorders (Diorio, Viau & Meaney, 1993;Lederbogen et al, 2011;Peen et al, 2010) whereas exposure to green spaces has been found to be protective (Tost et al, 2019). Extensive research into green spaces and forest bathing demonstrates their stress-reducing effects and their potential to foster physical and mental healing (Bielinis et al, 2018;Doimo, Masiero & Gatto, 2020;Hansen & Jones, 2020;Kotera, Richardson & Sheffield, 2020;Park et al, 2011).…”

Forest Bathing Always Makes Sense: Blood Pressure-Lowering and Immune System-Balancing Effects in Late Spring and Winter in Central Europe

“…Further examinations of the physiological effects of forest environments, as well as their psychological and mental impacts, have been well synthesized in detail in some reviews [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ].…”

The effects of viewing a winter forest landscape with the ground and trees covered in snow on the psychological relaxation of young Finnish adults: A pilot study

“…This effect on subjects may be measured using self-reporting psychometric techniques, using concepts of mood, affect, restorativeness and vitality, such as the Profile of Mood States Questionnaire, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule questionnaire, Restorative Outcome Scale questionnaire, and Subjective Vitality Scale questionnaire [26][27][28][29]. Thus, the psychological relaxation effect may be defined as a measurable, positive influence on psychological health and relaxation, and it could be measured using the abovementioned questionnaires [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37].…”