All of us have experienced stressful situations at some point in our lives. Urban living exposes us to a lot of stress. As a result of anxiety and living a life full of responsibilities, our metabolism is always on alert. Several studies suggest that more than 35% of young people in developed countries (aged 35 to 60) suffer from anxiety disorders. Anxiety, among other factors, can be aggravated.
Anxiety and stress in people with thyroid dysfunction
People who suffer from thyroid dysfunction have metabolisms that are much more sensitive to stress and anxiety. On the other hand, thyroid dysfunction can lead to depression and discouragement for people.
As we know, the thyroid works in conjunction with other organs. The thyroid gland releases the stress hormone cortisol in cooperation with the adrenal glands, which are located above the kidneys. The release of cortisol by the body, that is, the generation of stress, is a very primitive mechanism by which the body prepares for a threat with tension and alertness.
When this natural mechanism is permanently activated, it can be very harmful. When chronic stress is present, this hormone is constantly released, causing an imbalance in the metabolism and an impact on the thyroid, resulting in thyroid deregulation.
For all psychological, emotional, and mental health conditions related to stress, connection with nature can be an optimal, generous and above all very low-cost tool that can generate something as significant and
simple as an improvement in quality of life.
The relationship with nature is therapeutic
You have undoubtedly heard how beneficial and therapeutic connecting with nature is. We all feel comfortable spending time outside in the sunshine, the greenery, and admiring the trees. It’s not simply a feeling, though. Recent studies have shown that spending at least 20 minutes a day in nature positively affects children, young people, and adults’ mental health.
A study published in the prestigious journal Frontiers in Psychology found that spending time outdoors daily, with your feet on the grass in a green or blue space or on the beach, significantly reduces the production of the stress hormone cortisol. Something as simple and delightful as going for a walk outside!
The development of research on environmental stress has shown that the environment in which people develop their lives is very influential at the time of having an entire and happy life or not having it.
Enjoy a relaxing Forest Bath
A natural therapy that has been a trend in recent years is the practice called “Forest Bathing”, a method that, as its name indicates, consists of immersing people in the forest in contact with nature. We can find the origin of this practice in Japan during the 80s.
It was developed by professionals in the health field who observed the population growth in the cases of people affected by work stress or burnout. The development of workaholics in the country made immersion in the forest successful as a therapy to relieve these symptoms.
The social situation in Japan in the 1980s presented a population with high blood pressure, heart problems, and mental health issues; since then, the government has promoted physical activity in contact with nature. Researchers discovered that “Shinrin-Yoku,” “taking the forest,” or “immersion in the forest” improved population wellbeing, so they incorporated this discipline into Japan’s national health program.
According to Japanese research, “forest bathing” can show psychophysiological benefits simply by walking or passively sitting in natural settings. Not only that but engaging in physical activity in nature can be more psychologically beneficial than in other locations, all of which help improve health in general, particularly if you have thyroid dysfunction.
Forest bathing has always been so successful in the eastern country that the government’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the public health system now recommend that the entire population use Forest Bathing therapy. As demonstrated by various studies, the promotion of forest baths based on the benefits of being in contact with nature has spread throughout the world.
There is a trainers’ association where you can study and earn the title of forest bathing guide or forest bathing coordinator. But let us get into the specifics of this beautiful experience. What does it involve?
What exactly is a Forest Bath
You may be wondering what the forest dive is all about by now. The practical forest bath consists of a pre-planned walk in which various activities bring people closer to nature while being guided and performing exercises such as mindfulness and meditation.
It does not have to be done in the woods; you can do it in a meadow, beach, or mountain trail. The key to this practice is disconnecting from electronic devices and all of life’s obligations.
The route is 1 and 2 kilometers long, and the sound environment must be free of urban sounds such as car engines and other city noises. An environment with only the songs of birds and the leaves of trees moving in the wind helps to achieve a state of satisfaction and calm in the body, as well as a connection with nature. The concept is to walk, tour, touch, feel, and rest in nature without changing or interfering with the landscape.
The foundation of forest therapy is to be present with everything that comes with it, without looking at a clock, simply connecting from the most basic and neutral emotions with nature, which has emotional neutrality. There are also breathing exercises, meditations, and visualizations.
The Forest and Nature Therapy Association of the United States has developed guidelines for those who wish to engage in forest bathing. Although they emphasize that there is no one way to practice them, there are some steps to take that help make it one-of-a-kind and unrepeatable experience:
- You must have the desire to connect with nature. You must keep your mind open, enjoy the scenery, connect with the situation, and keep your feet on the ground.
Let's talk about the benefits of Forest Bathing
Forest therapy’s foundation is to be present with everything that comes with it, without looking at a clock, simply connecting from the most basic and neutral emotions with nature, which has emotional neutrality. There are also breathing exercises, meditations, and visualizations.
The Forest and Nature Therapy Association of the United States has developed guidelines for those who wish to engage in forest bathing. Although they emphasize that there is no one way to practice them, some steps to take that help make it a one-of-a-kind and unrepeatable experience: Let us now discuss the advantages of forest bathing. The benefits of being outside are well known: fresh air, vitamin D from the sun, and the sensation of bare feet on grass.
Several countries, including Canada, the United States, Finland, and Norway, as well as Japan, follow the “green prescription,” a movement in which health professionals in these countries, regardless of specialty, advocate for forest baths as a necessity to maintain a healthy population, with the states benefiting economically as a result. The idea would be to have healthy people, a healthy country, and a healthy world.
According to studies and scientific tests, the following are the benefits of forest bathing for people with thyroid dysfunction:
Everyone’s health and wellbeing will improve, but those suffering from anxiety and depression will benefit the most.
General population wellbeing and health improvements in areas where forest bathing is practiced.
All those who experience stress, depression, fatigue, generalized anxiety, anger, and uncertainty (whether caused by thyroid dysfunction or not) will notice that these symptoms improve, as will their irritability, aggression, and depression.
- The immune system is strengthened: Forest baths help reduce stress hormones, improving and strengthening the immune system.
- Forest bathing reduces and regulate heart rate, lower blood pressure, and relax the nervous system.
- The symptoms of insomnia improve.
- Increase your concentration and memory.
- Boost the immune system
- Improve the aspects of patients’ mental health programs.
In short, almost all of us value and enjoy being in contact with nature. Sounds of the forest, the sun’s warmth on your face, the smell of trees or wet earth, and the clean air. Things that make us happy and that we now know, thanks to scientific advances, provide us with inner peace and happiness.
References
- Mathew P. White, Ian Alcock, James Grellier, Benedict W. Wheeler, Terry Hartig, Sara L. Warber, Angie Bone, Michael H. Depledge & Lora E. Fleming; Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing; Scientific Reports volume 9, Article number: 7730 (2019).
- Bum Jin Park, Yuko Tsunetsugu, Tamami Kasetani, Takahide Kagawa & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan, Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine volume 15, Article number: 18 (2010)
- Genevive R. Meredith, Donald A. Rakow, Erin R. B. Eldermire, Cecelia G. Madsen, Steven P. Shelley, and Naomi A. Sachs, Minimum Time Dose in Nature to Positively Impact the Mental Health of College-Aged Students, and How to Measure It: A Scoping Review;Front. Psychol., 14 January 2020.
- Rocío Ferraro, Baños de bosque | Los beneficios de la conexión con la naturaleza y su ecosistema para la salud de las personas, la sociedad y el ambiente, Red Argentina de Ciencia y Tecnología Forestal.
- Investigación del valor terapéutico de la naturaleza, un abordaje desde la Psicología, el turismo y el bienestar; Forest Therapy Hub, 2022.
- Iván Darío Escobar, Disfunciones tiroideas y estrés-Thyroid Disfunctions And Stress, SciELO Analytics.
- Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D., ¿Puede la tiroides afectar mi estado de ánimo?, Mayo Clinic, 2019
