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Shinrin Yoku Bushcraft
Shinrin Yoku (walking or staying in Forests), the Japanese use this therapy for reducing stress levels. Let’s look at our trees and forests. Without our trees us humans wouldn’t survive, they provide breathable air, timber, fuel, food, shelter, medicine and beauty. Let’s face it Plato and Aristotle did their best thinking in the olive groves, Buddha found enlightenment beneath a bo tree, and Isaac Newton realised his theory of gravity beneath an apple tree.
There is medication made from our trees: Aspirin from willow bark; yews are a source of Taxol (which have been treatment with some cancers); tea tree oil is good for skin infections.
Research
There is interesting research taking place, and doctors are realising that a patient’s recovery rate can depend on their surroundings for example, New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital has been designed with views over Central Park.
GPs in Telford, Doncaster and Camden, north London are referring patients to greener projects such as Bushcraft, Greengyms and walking projects in forests.
Research has shown that the benefits of being in a forest environment can take place within minutes, and the types of illness that it can help are; diabetes, cardiovascular and acute depression.
Diabetes
A study took place by the Department of Gerontotherapeutics, Hokkaido University school of medicine (www.springerlink.com/content
), showing significant changes in blood glucose levels, whereby the blood glucose levels dropped. The study took place over 6 years, and scientists revealed that causes in hormonal secreation and Automonic nervous system helped with these changes.
Cardiovascular
Research by Oxford Brookes University show that cardiovascular health benefits from being in a forest environment had a calming and relaxing effect, which assists with recovery from cardiovascular disease and reduces blood pressure. (Psychologies.co.uk – May 09 Ed)
Stress
Studies have shown that when submitted to forest environments, or a therapeutic landscape, a person with acute emotions such as chronic stress, can reduce stress levels. Research has shown that hostility and depression decrease and liveliness increases. This has shown a greater advantage in acute emotions.
In 2004 Japan’s National Land Afforestation Promotion Organisation conducted an experiment and discovered there were definite benefits on blood pressure, heart rate and the immune system whilst out in the forests. They also found that just looking at a forest view for 20 minutes had a 13 per cent lower concentration of the stress hormone cortisol.
As our lifestyles have changed dramatically over the past 10 years, physical inactivity, heart disease, diabetes and stress are on the increase. Research has shown that by being active these conditions can decrease.
Bushcraft not only takes place within a forest environment, but taking part in the activities such as fire lightening, foraging food is physical activity within itself.
Milestone Activities and Wildspirit Bushcraft are working together in promoting bushcraft to increase our health benefits in Wales. Bushcraft sessions are delivered within the scenic area of Merthyr Mawr, South Wales.
The sessions include:
A basic bushcraft such as foraging for food, finding shelter, lighting a fire and searching for water, or a more intense 4 days survival course.
If you would like more information on Bushcraft please feel free to contact us.
