Effects of forest bathing on mental health in middle-aged and older individuals-A narrative review

Purposes: The fast-paced lifestyle that a multitude of people experience nowadays has led to a striking increase in stress and depression, especially in areas where urbanization is rampant. Meanwhile, the aging population has been growing worldwide. Taiwan, a country in east Asia, for example, has been classified as an ＂aged society＂ since 2018. Due to this phenomenon, researchers and medical personnel have started seeking strategies for stress relief and energy restoration in the general population. The practice of forest bathing has increasingly drawn attention as a therapeutic approach and possible solution. Thus, the purpose of this narrative review is to discuss the mental health benefits in aging populations via forest bathing. Results: Based on current findings from a widely applied questionnaire, the Profile of Mood States (POMS), a forest bathing program that involves anywhere from a single session up to one week with durations of 10 to 150 minutes per session, shows a significant reduction in negative feelings, including tension, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion in middle-aged and older adults in both healthy individuals and patients. Regarding positive feeling aspect, while the data indicates that forest bathing can increase vigor in healthy individuals, overall responses in patients remain inconclusive. Conclusion: Recent studies show that a short-term forest bathing program seems promising in enhancing overall mental health in both healthy individuals and patients; however, future studies are warranted to investigate the positive long-term effects and feelings in individuals, especially those who suffer from chronic diseases. The forest area in Taiwan accounts for 60.7% of the entire island with 18 national forest recreation areas and 154 natural trails. Thus, individuals, especially aging populations, are encouraged to participate in forest bathing to enhance mental health.

關鍵字

forest bathing ； mental health ； the Profile of Mood States ； aging

並列摘要

目的：現代人的生活的步調較以往快速許多，也因此，有多數的民眾，特別是居住在城市，由於生活環境高度都市化，而產生較高的心理壓力、較緊繃的情緒、甚至是憂慮傾向。同時，由於醫療普及進步，世界的人口結構，都趨向高齡化。以台灣為例，在2018年，台灣已步入高齡化社會；因此，越來越多的研究者與醫療相關人員，開始尋找能提供一般大眾舒緩情緒以及恢復精神活力的介入方式；森林浴，泛指為在森林中，進行各式活動，並且融入、享受整個環境。近年來，森林浴對於身心的潛在益處，吸引了研究以及醫療人員的關注，森林浴被認為是一種能舒緩身心壓力的非藥物介入治療可能策略之一；因此，本篇文章，回顧整理了森林浴對於心理健康上的影響，並聚焦於中高齡族群，以期能提供越來越廣大的中高齡族群，進行森林浴活動的指導方針。方法：情緒狀態量表，又稱為盤斯心情量表（Profile of Mood States，POMS），是一個被廣泛用來測量情緒的量表，分為六個向度，分別是緊張、沮喪、憤怒、活力、疲勞以及困惑。結果：現有研究結果指出，為期單次至一周，每次森林浴的時間介入為10-150分鐘，對於中高齡的健康民眾以及慢性病患者，在負面情緒，例如緊張、沮喪、憤怒、生氣、疲勞以及困惑方面，都有顯著的降低效果。至於在正面情緒的反應上，健康的中高齡族群，在森林浴後，會感到活力有明顯的提升；至於在罹患慢性病，例如高血壓或心血管疾病患者，森林浴對於活力這個正向指標，目前的結果仍然不一致，尚未有明確的趨勢及定論。結論：短期（單次至一周）森林浴介入，對於整體的心理情緒以及壓力方面，有舒緩的效果；未來研究方向，可透過進行較長期森林浴療法介入，觀察其對於中高齡族群，尤其是慢性病患者，在情緒、壓力、以及活力等方面的潛在效果。依據壓力削減理論以及注意力恢復理論，交感及副交感神經的相互調控，為目前森林浴對心理健康益處的可能機制之一。根據行政會農委會林務局報告，台灣的森林面積，占了全台的60.7％，其中包含18座國家森林公園以及154條森林自然步道。因此建議台灣國人，尤其是中高齡族群，可多進行森林浴活動，進而提升心理健康。

並列關鍵字

森林浴；心理健康；情緒狀態量表；高齡族群

參考文獻

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