Members of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Health experienced forest bathing in Japan.
In March 2023, we invited the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan to experience forest bathing.
In Kyrgyzstan, prevention of NCDs(Noncommunicable diseases) is a national health issue, and they came to Japan to observe the efforts of Saku City, Nagano Prefecture, a leading city in the field of healthy longevity.
Since it was off-season and snow remained in some parts of the forests we guided them through, we started by explaining the mechanism of forest bathing's contribution to health improvement and the scientific forest bathing program.
First, I explained what forest bathing does to the human body.
Various studies have shown that forest bathing affects the autonomic nervous system, endocrine system, immune system, and mood and emotions.
Forest bathing acts on the autonomic nervous system, which decreases blood pressure and heart rate.
Forest bathing acts on the endocrine system, decreasing cortisol and salivary amylase.
Forest bathing affects the immune system, activating natural killer cells.
Forest bathing affects the mood and emotions, improving subjective mood states.
In addition to explaining these facts, we also introduced specialized book.
Next, the components of forest bathing were explained.
The following components are combined in a forest bathing program to enhance the health-promoting effects.
Guiding visitors to locations where they can easily take in the effective chemical compounds in the forest, and constructing a program that stimulates the five senses while taking safety into consideration.
While spending restful time in the forest is of utmost importance, we also take care to create moderate interaction, as human interaction is effective in activating the autonomic nervous system and the serotonin nerve, which stabilizes mood.
This is the forest bathing chart I use.
We conduct counseling in advance, and if sufficient facilities are available, we will ascertain the client's health issues through autonomic nerve activity measurement, salivary amylase measurement, and psychological testing.
Based on the health issues and needs, we create a forest bathing program appropriate for that forest, season, and weather.
The Saku City Office, which we visited this time, has a blood pressure meter, an autonomic nerve activity measuring device, a salivary amylase measuring device, and a psychological test POMS2, so that changes before and after forest bathing can be confirmed.
After the forest bathing, we provide counseling again and give advice on how to utilize forest bathing in one's daily life in consideration of one's health.
Once the participants fully understood the mechanism of forest bathing, we took the tour group to the forest to observe and experience where and what kind of programs were being conducted.
Since it was a winter forest and most of the leaves had fallen, we took them on a tour while looking at summer photos.
We sipped Japanese health tea (Enmeicha,long life tea) in a pavilion deep in the forest and exchanged ideas on how to improve the health of the people.
It was a wonderful time for us guides to spend with our enthusiastic guests from Kyrgyzstan. Thank you very much.
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