Spending Time in the Forest or the Field: Investigations on Stress Perception and Psychological Well-Being—A Randomized Cross-Over Trial in Highly Sensitive Persons

Katja Oomen-Welke (), Evelyn Schlachter, Tina Hilbich, Johannes Naumann, Alexander Müller, Thilo Hinterberger and Roman Huber
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Katja Oomen-Welke: Center for Complementary Medicine, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstr. 55, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Evelyn Schlachter: Center for Complementary Medicine, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstr. 55, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Tina Hilbich: Center for Complementary Medicine, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstr. 55, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Johannes Naumann: Interdisciplinary Center for Treatment and Research in Balneology, European Institute for Physical Therapy and Balneology (EIPB), Sonnenbergstr. 35, 79117 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Alexander Müller: Center for Complementary Medicine, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstr. 55, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Thilo Hinterberger: Forschungsbereich Angewandte Bewusstseinswissenschaften, Abteilung für Psychosomatische Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
Roman Huber: Center for Complementary Medicine, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstr. 55, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-13

Abstract: Research suggests that stays in a forest promote relaxation and reduce stress compared to spending time in a city. The aim of this study was to compare stays in a forest with another natural environment, a cultivated field. Healthy, highly sensitive persons (HSP, SV12 score > 18) aged between 18 and 70 years spent one hour in the forest and in the field at intervals of one week. The primary outcome was measured using the Change in Subjective Self-Perception (CSP-14) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were measured using the Profile Of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire and by analyzing salivary cortisol. We randomized 43 participants. Thirty-nine were allocated and included in the intention-to-treat analysis (90% female, mean age 45 years). CSP-14 in part showed significant differences—total score ( p = 0.054, Cohen’s d = 0.319), item “integration” ( p = 0.028, Cohen’s d = 0.365)—favoring the effects of the forest. These effects were more pronounced in summer (August). In October, during rainfall, we detected no relevant differences. POMS only showed a significant difference in the subcategory “depression/anxiety” in favor of the field. The amount of cortisol in saliva was not different between the groups. A short-term stay in a forest in summer caused a greater improvement in mood and well-being in HSP than in a field. This effect was not detectable during bad weather in the fall.

Keywords: forest environment; therapeutic landscape; anxiety; depression; stress; highly sensitive persons; relaxation; forest bathing; Shinrin-Yoku (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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