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A Review of Field Experiments on the Effect of Forest Bathing on Anxiety and Heart Rate Variability
Narrative review of outdoor shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) field experiments reporting that forest settings, versus urban controls, commonly show higher HRV high-frequency (parasympathetic) signals alongside reduced anxiety measures.
Scope
Covers field experiments (real forest vs built/urban environments), not indoor aromatherapy alone.
Physiology
Forest exposure is repeatedly associated with increased ln(HF) HRV, interpreted as parasympathetic predominance.
Caveats
Heterogeneous designs (walking vs quiet sitting, season, baseline health); best read as supportive rationale for structured time in green space rather than a single standardized prescription.
Outcomes
- Heart Rate VariabilityReview synthesis: forest bathing linked to higher HF-HRV vs urban control conditions across cited field experiments