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Why Nature?

Our programs aim to provide opportunities for you to improve your wellbeing through engagement in nature based activities.

The State of Well-being

We can think of wellbeing as “a state in which a person is able to realise their potential, cope with normal stresses and contribute to their household, community and workplace” (Schirmer, 2014). We know intuitively that spending time in outdoor natural environments is good for us …it just feels good.

Why does nature make us feel so good?

The short clip below answers this fundamental question in a couple of minutes! It journeys from early humans 200,000 years ago up to the present, showing the continuing profound impact of the natural world on the wiring of our modern brains.

What the science is finding

Research shows that city dwellers have a 20% higher chance of suffering anxiety & an almost 40% greater likelihood of developing depression than people who don’t live in cities.

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Improved Mood

In one study in Mind, 95% of those interviewed said their mood improved after spending time outside, changing from depressed, stressed, and anxious to more calm and balanced.

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City Anxiety

Research shows that city dwellers have a 20 percent higher chance of suffering anxiety.

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Depression

City dwellers also have an almost 40 per cent greater likelihood of developing depression than people who don’t live in cities.

1984
In 1984, Researcher Edward O Wilson posed that humans have an innate tendency to seek connection to nature. There is much evidence to support this fundamental hypothesis.
$6 Trillion
National parks and protected areas save an approximate $6 trillion globally in mental health care costs world wide annually
20 Minutes
Spending just 20 minutes in a park is enough to improve a person’s mental health including by lowering stress hormones
54,000 Australians
In a 2019 survey of 54,000 Australians, 77% agreed that they'd be happier if they spent more time in nature. It topped the charts in the 'happiness stakes'
Phytoncides
Breathing in forest air, with its high levels of phytoncides (a compound emitted by trees) helps our bodies. Phytoncides cause our bodies to increase its production and activity of ‘natural killer cells, ’ a type of white blood cell that targets cancer cells and is vital for healthy immune system functioning.
$146 Billion Industry
Chinese Forest Therapy is predicted to grow into a $146 billion industry

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Forest Therapy Health Benefits

Researchers from many countries have studied the effects of guided Forest Therapy walks. What they have found is exciting, with science supporting what people who go on these walks report – that they do it because it makes them feel better.

Melbourne Forest Therapy

Research shows that after doing Forest Therapy people have:

Reduced Cortisol

Decreased cortisol levels. Our bodies release cortisol when we feel stress or fear, and high cortisol levels are detrimental to our health

Less Stress

Decreased blood pressure, blood glucose levels for diabetes patients, pain and depression for people with chronic, widespread pain

Killer Cells

Increased production and activity of ‘natural killer cells’ (a type of white blood cell vital for healthy immune system functioning)

Nervous System

Increased parasympathetic nervous system activity (this system conserves energy by slowing the heart rate and increasing intestinal activity)

Positive Mood

Increase in reported positive mood along with an increase in reported energy levels

Health benefits of 3 days of Forest Therapy lasts for more than 30 days

Forest Therapy
3 Days
Health Benefits
30 Days

How long do the benefits last?

2-3 Hours
Many studies show that just one Forest Therapy session (2-3 hours) can bring about the health benefits discussed above.
Decreased Cortisol
Participants have been tested before and after a single Forest Therapy walk, and after the walk they had decreased cortisol levels and blood pressure, increased production of natural killer cells, and increased reported positive mood, concentration and energy levels compared to before the walk.
Anti-Cancer Cells
A single Forest Therapy session has shown to increase the number of natural killer cells in the body, their activity, and the levels of intracellular anti-cancer proteins, with this effect lasting at least 7 days.
Killer Cells
A single session also increases natural killer cell activity in the body for more than 30 days. 
Immune Health
A weekly dose of Forest Therapy is ideal for healthy immune system functioning, although a monthly session still brings about benefits.

Many studies are freely available to download and read from the INFTA website here.

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