Reading - Shinrin-yoku: The Japanese Art of Forest Bathing

Read the text and complete the activities below.

In the 1980s, the Japanese government noticed a serious problem: workers in big cities were suffering from extreme stress, depression, and high blood pressure. To help the population heal, they developed a national health program based on an ancient practice called Shinrin-yoku, which translates directly to "forest bathing."

Forest bathing is not about taking a bath in a river, and it is not about hiking for exercise. It is the simple practice of being calm and quiet among the trees, observing nature around you while breathing deeply. You leave your phone behind, walk very slowly, and use all your five senses. You listen to the birds, touch the bark of the trees, and smell the fresh pine air.

Scientifically, this practice has incredible benefits. Trees release essential oils called phytoncides to protect themselves from insects. When humans breathe in these oils, our bodies respond by lowering our heart rate, reducing stress hormones like cortisol, and boosting our immune system.

Today, Shinrin-yoku is prescribed by doctors in Japan as a form of preventive medicine. It is a beautiful reminder that when modern life moves too fast, nature provides the perfect environment to slow us down.

ACTIVITIES

Activity 1: Multiple Choice

1. Why did the Japanese government develop the Shinrin-yoku program in the 1980s? Select... A) Because people needed to exercise more and lose weight. B) Because city workers were suffering from severe stress and health issues. C) Because they wanted to plant more trees in big cities like Tokyo.

2. What are you supposed to do during a "forest bath"? Select... A) Hike as fast as you can to increase your heart rate. B) Take a physical bath in a forest river. C) Walk slowly, stay quiet, and experience nature with all your senses.

3. What happens when humans breathe in phytoncides (essential oils from trees)? Select... A) They get allergies and start sneezing. B) Their stress hormones decrease and their immune system improves. C) They feel an immediate burst of energy to work harder.

Activity 2: True or False

1. Forest bathing is primarily a cardiovascular exercise. Select... True False

2. Doctors in Japan use Shinrin-yoku as a form of medicine to prevent illnesses. Select... True False

3. To practice forest bathing properly, you should bring your phone to take photos of the trees. Select... True False