Stress response
Field experiments across 24 Japanese forests found lower cortisol and pulse rate in forest settings than in urban settings.
Park et al. · JapanThe research
The science behind the pause.
Shinrin-Yoku emerged in Japan in the 1980s. Japanese research helped establish the evidence base, with studies now exploring stress, cardiovascular activity, mood, attention, sleep and immune function internationally.
Rest & recovery
The same study recorded greater parasympathetic and lower sympathetic activity—patterns associated with physiological recovery.
View the field studyBlood pressure
A systematic review of 20 trials involving 732 people found lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure in forest environments.
View the systematic reviewMood & wellbeing
A UK Forest Bathing+ trial reported improvements in mood, rumination, nature connection and compassion.
McEwan et al. · UKAttention
Research comparing walks in natural and urban settings found improved directed-attention performance after time in nature.
View the attention studySleep & immune activity
Reviews and small studies of longer forest exposures report promising findings for sleep and natural killer cell activity.
View the research overviewEvidence, with context. Linda’s practice draws on Forest Bathing+ training with TFBI in the UK and Shinrin-Yoku study with INFOM at Nippon Medical School in Japan. Research findings describe group-level outcomes; individual responses vary. The Wild Pause is a wellbeing experience, not medical treatment.