Forest bathing reduces perceived stress and improves sleep quality in healthy young adults compared with urban exposure
In a randomized crossover trial, forest bathing significantly reduced perceived stress (PSS from 22.3 to 20.7) and mood disturbance (POMS from 104.6 to 93.2), and improved sleep quality (SRSS from 20.5 to 18.0) and insomnia severity (AIS from 6.2 to 4.8), whereas urban exposure showed no comparable improvements. Modest reductions in white blood cell count, fasting glucose, and triglycerides were also observed after forest bathing.
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
Forest bathing reduces perceived stress and improves sleep quality in healthy young adults compared with urban exposure The current body of evidence comprises 1 study, including 1 randomized controlled trial. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 44/100 (low).
The Claim
Forest bathing reduces perceived stress and improves sleep quality in healthy young adults compared with urban exposure
This conclusion is most relevant to: Healthy young adults (36 participants) in a low-latitude region.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Short-term effects of urban versus forest bathing on stress, mood, sleep, immune function, and metabolic health: a randomized, open-label, 2 × 2 crossover trial. (Environmental health and preventive medicine, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Forest environment exposure (walking 2.5 km twice daily)
- ▸Reduced psychological stress and mood disturbance
- ▸Improved sleep quality and reduced insomnia severity
- ▸Modest reductions in white blood cell count, glucose, and triglycerides
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Healthy young adults (36 participants) in a low-latitude region
Recommended Dose
N/A (intervention was 2.5 km walks twice daily for the duration of each exposure period)
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Open-label design (no blinding) may introduce bias
- ▸Short-term exposure only; clinical significance of biological changes unclear
- ▸Single geographic region (low-latitude) limits generalizability
Frequently Asked Questions
What is forest bathing?▼
Forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) is a practice of spending time in a forest environment, often involving mindful walking, to promote health and well-being.
How long were the walks in this study?▼
Participants walked 2.5 km twice daily in each environment (forest or urban) for the duration of each exposure period.
Did forest bathing affect sleep quality?▼
Yes, forest bathing significantly improved sleep quality (SRSS score decreased from 20.5 to 18.0) and reduced insomnia severity (AIS score decreased from 6.2 to 4.8).
Were there any physiological changes?▼
Yes, modest reductions in total white blood cell count, fasting glucose, and triglycerides were observed after forest bathing, but values remained within physiological ranges.
References
- 1.Dai X, Liao D, Ouyang J, Xiao H, Tian Z, Qiu L, Yang J, Wang H, Gong D, Li Z, Wang X, Xu Y, Fang X, Tan J, Huang M, Zhou B, Peng H, Peng Y, Wu Q. “Short-term effects of urban versus forest bathing on stress, mood, sleep, immune function, and metabolic health: a randomized, open-label, 2 × 2 crossover trial..” Environmental health and preventive medicine, 2026. PMID: 42649025 DOI: 10.1265/ehpm.26-00092