IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i12p6761-d575308.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Qualitative Study Comparing Mindfulness and Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing): Practitioners’ Perspectives

Author

Listed:
  • Fiona J. Clarke

    (School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

  • Yasuhiro Kotera

    (Human Sciences Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK)

  • Kirsten McEwan

    (College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK)

Abstract

The boundary between mindfulness and forest bathing, two conceptually related therapies, is unclear. Accordingly, this study reports the strengths and challenges, similarities and differences, and barriers and facilitators for both. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven trained and experienced practitioners of both mindfulness and forest bathing. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed four main themes: (i) differences between the approaches; (ii) the benefits of forest bathing; (iii) biophilia through forest bathing; and (iv) inward versus outward attentional focus as a distinction between the approaches. Both practices were found to benefit well-being, but practitioners revealed key barriers to mindfulness. For vulnerable groups experiencing mental health challenges or difficulties achieving a meditative state, mindfulness may introduce well-being risks. By offering a gentler, more intuitive approach that encourages outward attentional focus, forest bathing was found to overcome this barrier. Forest bathing is suitable for all groups, but adaptations are recommended for those expressing fear or discomfort in forested environments. The findings inform how to position both approaches in practice, as a first step towards social prescribing recommendations. Wider implications concern forest bathing’s potential to impact environmental well-being. Future research must garner comparative data, involve young people, and explore the feasibility of a forest bathing social prescription.

Suggested Citation

  • Fiona J. Clarke & Yasuhiro Kotera & Kirsten McEwan, 2021. "A Qualitative Study Comparing Mindfulness and Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing): Practitioners’ Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:12:p:6761-:d:575308
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/12/6761/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/12/6761/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kirsten McEwan & David Giles & Fiona J. Clarke & Yasu Kotera & Gary Evans & Olga Terebenina & Lina Minou & Claire Teeling & Jaskaran Basran & Wendy Wood & Dominic Weil, 2021. "A Pragmatic Controlled Trial of Forest Bathing Compared with Compassionate Mind Training in the UK: Impacts on Self-Reported Wellbeing and Heart Rate Variability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Aaron R. Brough & James E. B. Wilkie & Jingjing Ma & Mathew S. Isaac & David Gal, 2016. "Is Eco-Friendly Unmanly? The Green-Feminine Stereotype and Its Effect on Sustainable Consumption," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 43(4), pages 567-582.
    3. Yasuhiro Kotera & Melinda Lyons & Katia Correa Vione & Briony Norton, 2021. "Effect of Nature Walks on Depression and Anxiety: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-17, April.
    4. Andrew Howell & Holli-Anne Passmore & Karen Buro, 2013. "Meaning in Nature: Meaning in Life as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Nature Connectedness and Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(6), pages 1681-1696, December.
    5. Agnès Patuano, 2020. "Biophobia and Urban Restorativeness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-23, May.
    6. Sandra Rousseau & Nick Deschacht, 2020. "Public Awareness of Nature and the Environment During the COVID-19 Crisis," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 76(4), pages 1149-1159, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Kirsten McEwan & Vanessa Potter & Yasuhiro Kotera & Jessica Eve Jackson & Sarah Greaves, 2022. "‘This Is What the Colour Green Smells Like!’: Urban Forest Bathing Improved Adolescent Nature Connection and Wellbeing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-12, November.
    3. Yasuhiro Kotera & Holly Young & Sarah Maybury & Muhammad Aledeh, 2022. "Mediation of Self-Compassion on Pathways from Stress to Psychopathologies among Japanese Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-11, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. 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.
    2. Kettle, Keri L. & Mantonakis, Antonia, 2024. "Look for the signature: Using personal signatures as extrinsic cues promotes identity-congruent behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    3. Yanju Luo & Jinyang Deng & Chad Pierskalla & Ju-hyoung Lee & Jiayao Tang, 2022. "New Ecological Paradigm, Leisure Motivation, and Wellbeing Satisfaction: A Comparative Analysis of Recreational Use of Urban Parks before and after the COVID-19 Outbreak," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-28, August.
    4. Violeta Mihaela Dincă & Mihail Busu & Zoltan Nagy-Bege, 2022. "Determinants with Impact on Romanian Consumers’ Energy-Saving Habits," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-18, June.
    5. Matthew D. Meng & Jessica Gamlin, 2024. "Sexually explicit advertisements boost consumer recycling due to moral cleansing goal activation," Marketing Letters, Springer, vol. 35(2), pages 205-218, June.
    6. Sam Hampton & Richard Blundel & Aqueel Wahga & Tina Fawcett & Christopher Shaw, 2022. "Transforming small and medium‐sized enterprises to address the climate emergency: The case for values‐based engagement," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(5), pages 1424-1439, September.
    7. Neal Krause & Kenneth I. Pargament, 2017. "Losing My Religion: Exploring the Relationship Between a Decline in Faith and a Positive Affect," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 12(4), pages 885-901, December.
    8. Holli-Anne Passmore & Ying Yang & Sarena Sabine, 2022. "An Extended Replication Study of the Well-Being Intervention, the Noticing Nature Intervention (NNI)," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 2663-2683, August.
    9. Sarah Koller, 2021. "Towards Degrowth? Making Peace with Mortality to Reconnect with (One's) Nature: An Ecopsychological Proposition for a Paradigm Shift," Environmental Values, , vol. 30(3), pages 345-366, June.
    10. Migle Baceviciene & Rasa Jankauskiene, 2022. "The Mediating Effect of Nature Restorativeness, Stress Level, and Nature Connectedness in the Association between Nature Exposure and Quality of Life," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-15, February.
    11. Fanny Reniou & Elisa Monnot, 2023. "Consumer Discipline: A Safeguard to Maintain Sustainable Consumption Patterns," THEMA Working Papers 2023-19, THEMA (THéorie Economique, Modélisation et Applications), Université de Cergy-Pontoise.
    12. Muhammad Jawad Sajid & Ernesto D. R. Santibanez Gonzalez, 2021. "The Impact of Direct and Indirect COVID-19 Related Demand Shocks on Sectoral CO 2 Emissions: Evidence from Major Asia Pacific Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-19, August.
    13. Lisette Ibanez & Sébastien Roussel, 2022. "The impact of nature video exposure on pro-environmental behavior: An experimental investigation," Post-Print hal-03847453, HAL.
    14. Daniel Baier & Theresa Maria Rausch & Timm F. Wagner, 2020. "The Drivers of Sustainable Apparel and Sportswear Consumption: A Segmented Kano Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-21, April.
    15. Claude-Hélène Mayer, 2021. "Understanding Wildlife Crime from Eco-Existential and African Perspectives: A Psycho-Philosophical Investigation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-19, November.
    16. Volkan Yeniaras & Tugra Nazli Akarsu, 2017. "Religiosity and Life Satisfaction: A Multi-dimensional Approach," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(6), pages 1815-1840, December.
    17. Jie Wen & Miao Miao, 2022. "Relationships Between Meaning in Life, Positive and Negative Affect, and Eating Behaviors: A Daily Diary Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 1315-1331, April.
    18. Ya‐Ching Lee, 2020. "Communicating sustainable development: Effects of stakeholder‐centric perceived sustainability," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(4), pages 1540-1551, July.
    19. Xingyuan Wang & Yaming Wang & Yi Wang, 2021. "The Influence of Infectious Disease Cues on Purchase Intention for Environmentally Friendly Products," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-18, August.
    20. Alison Pritchard & Miles Richardson & David Sheffield & Kirsten McEwan, 2020. "The Relationship Between Nature Connectedness and Eudaimonic Well-Being: A Meta-analysis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 1145-1167, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:12:p:6761-:d:575308. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.