Walking in the woods:
What are the main positive effects?

Santa Maria degli Ancillotti

Health and wellness

It's well known that walking in the woods is good for your health. Several scientific studies demonstrate that walking outdoors , surrounded by greenery, brings immense benefits and positive effects, both physically and emotionally.

Walking in the woods , or "forest bathing," has a regenerating effect on us, for ten reasons.

Why is it good to walk outdoors?

1. Forest air is clean and beneficial for the respiratory system, especially for those who live in cities and are forced to breathe air contaminated by numerous pollutants every day.

2. Walking in the forest strengthens the immune system thanks to the high percentage of terpenes present in the air. This substance is produced by plants to defend themselves from parasites and, according to studies, can stimulate the activity of human immune cells.

3. Walking in the forest stimulates the metabolism like any other physical activity, but does so more effectively thanks to the high percentage of oxygen in the air.

4. The silence of the forest is especially beneficial for those who are exposed to the typical noises of traffic and the city every day. Even if total silence does not reign in the forest, the sounds present—the wind in the leaves, the birds singing—have a powerful relaxing and calming effect.

5. The woods rest the eyes: this applies to all of us, who are now accustomed, if not addicted, to the use of electronic devices—smartphones, tablets, PCs, as well as the usual TV. Seeing a natural environment, with natural light, varied colors and shapes, and at different distances, restores our sight to its proper physiological dimension and function. It's almost a kind of beneficial training for our tired and stressed eyes.

6. In the woods, attention improves. We can refer back to what we said in the previous two points: everyday life subjects us to constant sensory stimuli of all kinds, overexposing us, with the result that our attention tends to inevitably wane.
A quiet environment like that of the woods does not stress our senses, the reduction of stimuli allows the brain to rest and all this allows us to maintain attention and concentration.

7. Walking in the woods reduces levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, while promoting the production of endorphins and serotonin, the happiness hormone.

8. In the woods, the perception of pain changes: it seems impossible, but some studies have shown that people who struggle with physical pain perceive it much less when immersed in a green environment, such as the woods. This is because what we described in point 7 happens: by decreasing cortisol, physical tension and stress also decrease, and therefore, the perception of the intensity of pain.

9. Walking in the woods is good for the heart: studies show that contact with the woods lowers blood pressure and slows the heart rate.

10. Walking in the woods helps you get to know yourself: the quiet, silence, and purity of the woods inspire a mental and emotional journey of self-discovery, given that amidst the noise and stress of everyday life, there is neither time nor opportunity to dedicate oneself to one's inner self.

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