Science and conservation
Science and conservation
In Japan it’s called
shinrin-yoku, “forest bathing.” It’s the practice of taking in the atmosphere of the forest using all your senses, slowly and mindfully.
Scientists have found that forest bathing can reduce levels of stress hormones in the body. Some studies have also suggested that phytoncides (natural chemicals released by trees) can boost the immune system. More generally, researchers have found that being in nature can improve mood, attention and problem-solving skills.
Here are five walks that will let you experience different kinds of forest and learn a bit about forest conservation along the way.
How to control your perception of time
It’s no surprise that time seems to speed up as we get older, but other factors can influence it too – here’s what researchers have found
The new year encourages us to look back and reflect, and this year more than any other, we’ve been made aware of time passing. Do events that happened this time last year seem as if they happened two or three years ago?
Although time itself moves steadily, our perception of its passage varies according to three factors – your mood, what you’re doing, and your age.