Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the effects of forest bathing on anxiety levels in adults. An abundance of forest bathing research evidence is present in the literature. There are documented physiological and psychological benefits from walking or spending time in forest nature. Yet, there are still many unanswered questions about the health benefits of forest bathing for humans. In this study, an integrated review of forest bathing specific to the effect on anxiety levels in adults is the focus. A thorough search of six electronic databases (CINAHL, Health and Medical Collection, OVID, Pub Med, Public Health Database, and Science Direct) for research articles published between 2015 and 2020 to evaluate the most recent evidence was completed. From the start, with 590 narrowed search results, four phases of identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion brought the study to a final number of 11 research study articles. Additionally, the study included a scientific rigor evaluation of the latest evidence. The study found evidence of decreased anxiety levels after forest bathing. Additional research with high levels of scientific rigor is warranted to continue the evidence base about the effects of forest bathing.

Description

This paper was posted in the Sigma Repository prior to the 2025 platform migration. Following is the former citation:

Leibold, N. (2021). The effects of forest bathing on anxiety in adults: An integrative review. Sigma Repository. https://sigma.nursingrepository.org/handle/10755/21955

Author Details

Nancyruth Leibold, EdD, RN, MSN, PHN, CNE, AHN-BC

Sigma Membership

Mu Lambda

Lead Author Affiliation

Minnesota State University, Mankato, Mankato, Minnesota, USA

Type

Article

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Literature Review

Research Approach

Mixed/Multi Method Research

Keywords:

Forest Bathing, Walking in the Woods, Phytoncides, Anxiety

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

None: Submitted for Open Dissemination

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

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