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

Author

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  • Erica R. Timko Olson

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

  • Margaret M. Hansen

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

  • Amber Vermeesch

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

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Erica R. Timko Olson & Margaret M. Hansen & Amber Vermeesch, 2020. "Mindfulness and Shinrin-Yoku: Potential for Physiological and Psychological Interventions during Uncertain Times," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-13, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:24:p:9340-:d:461625
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sarah Elizabeth Golding & Birgitta Gatersleben & Mark Cropley, 2018. "An Experimental Exploration of the Effects of Exposure to Images of Nature on Rumination," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-19, February.
    2. Hyunju Jo & Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Seiya Enomoto & Hiromitsu Kobayashi & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2019. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Forest and Urban Sounds Using High-Resolution Sound Sources," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-13, July.
    3. William R. Marchand & William Klinger & Ken Block & Scott VerMerris & Tracy S. Herrmann & Crystal Johnson & Nicole Paradiso & Michael Scott & Brandon Yabko, 2019. "Mindfulness Training plus Nature Exposure for Veterans with Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders: A Model Intervention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-10, November.
    4. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Takahide Kagawa & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2020. "Effect of Viewing Real Forest Landscapes on Brain Activity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-10, August.
    5. Hiromitsu Kobayashi & Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Bum-Jin Park & Juyoung Lee & Takahide Kagawa & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2017. "Population-Based Study on the Effect of a Forest Environment on Salivary Cortisol Concentration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-9, August.
    6. Margaret M. Hansen & Reo Jones & Kirsten Tocchini, 2017. "Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-48, July.
    7. Hiroko Ochiai & Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Maiko Kobayashi & Ako Takamatsu & Takashi Miura & Takahide Kagawa & Qing Li & Shigeyoshi Kumeda & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Forest Therapy on Middle-Aged Males with High-Normal Blood Pressure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-11, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Amy Miner Ross & Reo Jane Francesca Jones, 2022. "Simulated Forest Immersion Therapy: Methods Development," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-17, April.
    2. Erica R. Timko Olson & Anthony A. Olson & Megan Driscoll & Amber L. Vermeesch, 2023. "Nature-Based Interventions and Exposure among Cancer Survivors: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.
    3. Alberto Bermejo-Franco & Juan Luis Sánchez-Sánchez & María Isabel Gaviña-Barroso & Beatriz Atienza-Carbonell & Vicent Balanzá-Martínez & Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez, 2022. "Gender Differences in Psychological Stress Factors of Physical Therapy Degree Students in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-10, January.
    4. Elisa Menardo & Donatella Di Marco & Sara Ramos & Margherita Brondino & Alicia Arenas & Patricia Costa & Carlos Vaz de Carvalho & Margherita Pasini, 2022. "Nature and Mindfulness to Cope with Work-Related Stress: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-16, May.
    5. Elena Bermejo-Martins & María Pueyo-Garrigues & María Casas & Raúl Bermejo-Orduna & Ana Villarroya, 2022. "A Forest Bathing Intervention in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Feasibility Study Protocol," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-12, October.
    6. Kirsten McEwan & Harriet Collett & Jean Nairn & Jamie Bird & Mark A. Faghy & Eric Pfeifer & Jessica E. Jackson & Caroline Cook & Amanda Bond, 2022. "The Feasibility and Impact of Practising Online Forest Bathing to Improve Anxiety, Rumination, Social Connection and Long-COVID Symptoms: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-12, November.
    7. Amber L. Vermeesch & Alessandra Coro & Kira Mattes & Dylan Ostendorff & Erica Timko Olson & Layla Garrigues, 2022. "Nature-Based Feasibility Intervention to Influence Mitigation Strategies for Perceived Stress," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-11, September.
    8. Karolina Macháčková & Roman Dudík & Jiří Zelený & Dana Kolářová & Zbyněk Vinš & Marcel Riedl, 2021. "Forest Manners Exchange: Forest as a Place to Remedy Risky Behaviour of Adolescents: Mixed Methods Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-20, May.

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