Examining the impact of a forest bathing intervention on well-being in urban youth: A field experiment from India
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Forest bathing (mindful nature walking) is increasingly recognized as a community-based approach to support emotional and social well-being. While extensive research has been carried out in Japan and South Korea, its relevance and impact in the Indian context remain largely unexplored. This study offers an initial, exploratory assessment of forest bathing in India, focusing on its potential to enhance emotional and social well-being among urban youth. METHOD: A randomized controlled design was employed with 74 management students assigned to either a forest bathing walk (n = 37) or a control group (n = 37). Participants completed pre- and post-intervention surveys assessing well-being, stress, mindfulness, meaningfulness, peace of mind, elevation, resilience, nature connectedness, solitude, and loneliness. RESULTS: The forest bathing group showed improvements across most variables particularly well-being, stress, mindfulness, meaningfulness, peace of mind, elevation, nature connectedness, and solitude. While resilience and loneliness did not show significant change. The control group exhibited no such effects. DISCUSSION: These findings provide preliminary evidence that forest bathing may serve as a promising nature-based practice for supporting well-being among urban youth in India. Given the exploratory nature of this work, further studies with diverse populations and longitudinal designs are needed to better understand its long-term impact and applicability in urban public health initiatives.
Source: Acta Psychologica
Authors: Raina Chhajer, Kirsten McEwan
Institutions: Indian Institute of Management Indore, University of Derby
Language: English
Topic: Urban Green Space and Health
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,670
OpenAlex ID: W4416436012