Forest Wellness

Hiking 

Spending time in forests can do wonders for our body and mind. All we need to do is inhale. 

• Essential oils emitted by trees can reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, and increase the production of anti-cancer proteins in the body.  
• Mycobacterium vaccae, a nonpathogenic bacteria, can increase serotonin in the brain, which regulates anxiety. 

Hiking is also a great exercise for our brain. A walk in nature can awaken the senses, as there are so many different things to see, hear, smell, and touch.

Bird watching  

Forest walks are even more exciting and beneficial for health when combined with bird watching – a practice also known as birding. Essentially an act of mindfulness, birding can help to improve our mental health by reducing depression, stress, and anxiety.  

Here's what birding looks like in the FSC-certified Kikonda Central Forest Reserve, Uganda: 

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to continue discovering how forests are woven into our lives and benefit our wellness.