Forest therapy

Many people have turned to the 'medicine' of simply being amongst the trees

Shinrin-yoku, or "forest bathing", is a term that was first coined as part of a national public health program in Japan in the 1980s as a practice for relaxation and preventative healthcare - by just being in the presence of trees. Inspired by ancient Shinto and Buddhist practices, this green concept has been growing in global popularity.

Numerous studies have pointed out that being in nature can bring health benefits - including lowering the heart rate and blood pressure, reducing stress hormone production and improving the overall feelings of well-being. In the 2012 book Your Brain on Nature, written by US physician Eva Selhub and biophilosopher Alan Logan, nature-based therapies are being introduced as a countermeasure to today's technology-addicted lifestyle.