Forest therapy is considered a form of recreational activities using forest resources to improve health and well-being (Yu & Hsieh, 2020). Forest therapy programs are usually developed by forest therapy professionals and consist of structured activities and interventions using various elements of forests to reduce participants’ stress levels and to promote health. A growing body of empirical research supports the efficacy of forest therapy. Studies have demonstrated that forest therapy experiences can reduce cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function (Park et al., 2010; Ramanpong et al., 2025; Song et al., 2015; Yu & Hsieh, 2020). Particularly relevant are the findings showing benefits for older adults, who experience improvements in attention, memory, and emotional regulation, and for individuals with mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression. The mechanisms of action of forest therapy are thought to involve both physiological changes—such as parasympathetic activation—and psychological processes like attention restoration and emotional grounding.
In Taiwan, forest therapy has gained momentum in both academic and practical domains. One notable ongoing initiative is the Healing Forest project at the Basianshan National Forest Recreation Area, supported by the Wiwynn Foundation (Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency) and NTU’s Forest Therapy Lab. This project aims to create a model site that combines ecological restoration, accessible and inclusive trail design, and evidence-based therapy to serve diverse populations, particularly seniors and urban residents in need of psychological relief.
Guided by the principle of “healthy forests, healthy people,” we have been developing national-level forest therapy bases and creating immersive experiences such as VR forest trails, which allow individuals unable to access forests in person to benefit from nature’s healing power. Moving forward, we aim to strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations with research teams working in agriculture, biomedicine, and design and further explore the potential of forest therapy as a nature-based prescription in preventive healthcare—which is especially relevant in aging societies.