Testing Our Critical Thinking

At least once a day, though we may not even realize it, our critical thinking is tested.  I received this in an email from a friend who participates in a weekly walking group at a local nature center.  It’s good exercise and a pleasant time, but one of the participants wanted to let us know about additional benefits.

The article attached to the email was about something called forest bathing, and it tells how walking in the woods can be healthy, in fact, healthier than walking down a city sidewalk.  The headline tells us:  “A Retreat To Nature Can Boost Immunity And Mood.”

But forest bathing is more than just walking in the woods and enjoying the natural surroundings.  The outing in the article was led by a Certified Forest Therapy Guide.  It is the guide’s job to encourage participants to “slow down and become immersed in the natural environment” and to help them “tune in to the smells, textures, tastes and sights of the forest.”  The guide leads them through exercises to help them isolate each of these senses to take in the unique sights, sounds and smells.

It’s clearly not like hiking, because the forest bathers have no particular destination.  It’s a slow, mindful walk, akin to walking meditation practiced at some yoga retreats.  The emphasis is on the present moment, rather than on plans or worries.

After describing the experience, they list the health benefits.  The practice began in Japan where one study showed that walking in a forest environment “led to more significant reductions in blood pressure and certain stress hormones” than walking the same distance in the city.  I followed the link and found that this study had only 16 participants – was that 8 in each group (a test group and a control group)?  If so, that is an extremely small sample size; if not, it's not really an experiment. (And always remember that linked does not mean causes.)

They cite other “preliminary” studies as well.  One referred to as a “small study” and another with no mention of sample size or the experimental design, but both touting benefits of being in close proximity to trees or enjoying certain scents of the forest.

Now comes the worrisome part.  Apparently we are not able to get these benefits on our own.  The Association of Nature & Forest Therapy is training and certifying Forest Therapy guides to help.  Using this rather sparse scientific justification and an unsupported assertion that “work-related stress accounts for up to $190 billion in health care costs each [year],” their representative makes a leap of faith that forest bathing should be part of every doctor’s toolkit and covered by health insurance – "It's my hope that the health care system will include [forest therapy] into the range of services they reimburse for.”

Now I don’t doubt that taking a nice quiet leisurely walk in the woods, being sensitive to and appreciating the natural surroundings is surely healthier and more relaxing than walking down a crowded city sidewalk.  That’s a no-brainer.  But do you need a coach to benefit from it, do you need to pay and should insurance be involved?

The whole thing begins to sound like the case of therapeutic touch, which has no scientific basis, but for which insurance companies reimburse hospitals.  It reminds me of the company that sells scooters to the elderly with the sales pitch, “if Medicare doesn’t pay for yours, it’s free.”  The forest bathing business (and it is a business) wants to slide into that category enjoyed by some other health-related businesses – “your insurance will cover most or all of the cost.”  We’ve heard the sales pitches over and over and should know deep down that when no one is paying, no one is caring how much it cost and no one is concerned about abuse or true quality.  Patients get placebo benefits and the therapists get insurance money.  Our health costs rise and everyone wonders why.