Immersive sensory walks in forested environments can significantly reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in older adults, especially when the experience is guided, repetitive, and intentionally designed to induce relaxation. These nature-based sessions are structured around the activation of the five senses and follow a slow, deliberate rhythm that encourages deep perception, emotional openness, and restorative presence. Participants engage in observing textures, listening to natural sounds, touching bark or leaves, and even tasting herbal infusions, all within the context of a safe, accessible urban forest. While no significant change in heart rate was observed, the substantial decrease in blood pressure confirms the autonomic nervous system’s response to this low-impact yet potent intervention. The protocol integrates a familiarization phase and post-walk reflections, allowing older adults to feel oriented, secure, and engaged. The intervention not only improved physiological indicators, but also enhanced participants’ sense of well-being, calmness, and connection, offering a low-cost, scalable alternative for managing hypertension through non-pharmacological means. These findings support the integration of forest bathing into urban health policy, particularly in regions where aging populations and chronic disease burdens are rising. By aligning physical benefits with psychological empowerment and environmental awareness, this model contributes to a broader vision of preventive, participatory, and planetary health.
Garibay-Chávez, M.G., Curiel-Ballesteros, A., García de Alba-García, J., Borja-Arreola, M., Moreno-Ramírez, D. & Santos-Zamora, E. (2024). Effects of Forest Bathing on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Older Adults in Mexico. Forests, 15(1254). https://doi.org/10.3390/f15071254
