Virtual Forest Bathing: How VR Reduces Stress & Boosts Mood

A team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) has released an innovative study into the effects of immersive virtual forest bathing. The study combines recent advancements in multisensory VR applications, psychology, and the long-practiced art of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) to gain a deeper understanding of the restorative effects of virtual experiences on the human brain.

Stress Kills

Stress is a silent killer that can lead to serious mental and physical health problems.  Factors like increased social media use, work tensions, financial problems, and urban lifestyles can contribute to stress. What's worse is that this year's American Psychiatric Association's poll showed that around 43% of adults feel more anxiety and stress now than they did a year ago.

Finding a way to release tension and alleviate stress is a vital part of being an adult. For those who have the benefit of living near nature, there's an easy way to reduce your stress levels – immersing yourself in nature. Studies have shown that natural surroundings like the forest, beach, or gentle creeks can help reduce cortisol levels and improve mental health.

Forest Bathing

The ancient cultures of the world were well aware of the healing power of nature. They were surrounded by it and revered it. In ancient Japan, it was common to see Shinto and Buddhist practices that emphasized the spiritual and healing qualities of nature. It was these practices that inspired Dr. Qing Li to develop the concept of Forest Bathing in the early 1980s.

Forest bathing is more than just going for a walk through the forest. The concept revolves around enveloping your senses in nature, emphasising your connectivity and the interdependence of all life. Forest bathers take in all of their surroundings and utilize the soothing effects to enhance their overall health.

Notably, forest bathing has been proven to produce a positive emotional effect in people. Spend a few minutes fully immersed in nature, and you'll lower your blood pressure, reduce stress levels, and strengthen your immune system. It also leads to more mental clarity and memory.

Most People Don’t have a Forest to Bathe In

It would be nice if everyone were located within walking distance of a lush forest. However, reality is quite different. For the billions of people who live in urban environments, the best alternative may be in the virtual realm.

How Virtual Forest Bathing Works: New Study Findings

A team of engineers from the Max Planck Institute and UKE recently published the “Multi- vs. unimodal forest-bathing in VR to enhance affective and cognitive recovery after acute stress” study¹ in the Journal of Environmental Psychology. It describes the potential effects of virtual forest bathing. Their paper delves into the effects and process of digital nature experiences and describes in detail in what ways a virtual walk through a forest may provide similar results compared to the real thing.

Understanding the Mechanics

The engineers wanted to gain a deep understanding of how VR could help mental health. Recognizing that forest bathing is a proven way to reduce stress, the group set out to recreate the experience virtually. This approach enabled them to break the experience down by senses, allowing for more data.

Forest Bathing Study Immersion Strategy

To accomplish this task, the team employed the latest immersion VR systems. They were keen to note that all your senses perceive nature simultaneously. As such, the team set off to develop an ultra-realistic scenario that integrated as many senses as possible.

Virtual Forest Bathing

Sonnenberg Nature Reserve

Sonnenberg Nature Reserve near Parchim was selected as the location to replicate. This sprawling destination is Europe's largest Douglas fir forest. It's filled with hiking trails filled with epic views, winding waters trickling in the background, and the unmistakable smell of fir, making it the ideal location for their experiment.

Visual

The team captured ultra HD  360° VR video of the forest. The team recorded ventures through a winding trail and other relaxing points, like scenic views. Using a VR headset, participants could travel through the virtual forest just like they were there, seeing all the fine details of their journey along the way.

Auditory

The team also captured the sounds of the forest, including the sound of birds in the trees, the shuffling of leaves, and the bowing of branches in the wind. By utilizing authentic sounds, the researchers were able to take the experience one step closer to reality.

Olfactory

The next sense the researchers incorporated was scent. To accomplish this task, the engineers took essential oil extracts from the Douglas fir. This step added another layer of realism, especially since the scent was derived directly from the trees in the video.

Forest Bathing Study Test

To test their theory, the scientists gathered a pool of 130 participants. The study began by having patients ‘ stress levels driven upward. The scientist used stress-inducing images to accomplish this task. Once the group demonstrated signs of stress, they were split into 4 different groups.

Each group would receive a different form of treatment based on the senses. The first group was shown the entire VR experience. They were fully immersed in the virtual world, experiencing the sights, sounds, and scents without any filter. From there, each following group was given a similar experience, but with only one sensory input.

One group watched the video with no sound or scent. The next group just heard the sounds of the forest but nothing else, and the last group was exposed to the scents of the forest only. All of the groups were shown their experience in a neutral environment to rule out outside factors influencing their results. This strategy allowed the team to isolate key factors regarding how this form of treatment could potentially help the masses.

Virtual Forest Bathing Benefits & Key Results

The Virtual Forest Bathing study test results showed that the practice was beneficial in many ways to your health. First off, the team noted that, while it isn't a replacement for the real thing, it can provide some key benefits that will help people reduce stress levels and improve mood.

The team recorded that they got the best results when more senses were incorporated into the experience. Advertisers have long understood that the more senses they stimulate and the more likely it is that their ad will be remembered. Now, the medical and psychological fields are confirming this data.

Some key takeaways from the study were that the more senses experienced and the more connected the patients felt to nature. Also, the team documented a slight uptick in working memory, which refers to your ability to create and retrieve new memories.

There are a lot of benefits that the virtual forest bathing study brings to the market. For one, it bridges the gap in terms of technology and nature. A virtual forest bathing session could enable millions of people to take a relaxing walk through some of the most beautiful and unique places in the world.

Affordable Virtual Therapy: Cost Benefits

This form of treatment is ideal because it requires a lot of work during the creation process, but after the videos are ready, it provides a low-cost alternative to those who may not have any possible way of experiencing nature in real life. These video treatments could be used globally, resulting in positive health benefits.

Accessibility for All

In the future, people will enjoy this style of therapy at any time and anywhere, opening the door for more help for those suffering from stress-related ailments. From clinics that reside in remote areas of the world to waiting rooms, campuses, and everything in between, this technology opens the door for a healthier society in the future.

Real-World Applications & Timeline:

There are several real-world applications for this study. The primary application for this study is the physiological tech sector. Its data will help future researchers better understand why the human brain drops stress levels when in nature. Admittedly, there is a lot to be gained by being able to duplicate these requirements to create future stress relief options.

Forest Bathing Study Treating Neurological Disease

Diseases like Alzheimer's and other ailments can make living day to day life impossible for patients. VR technology enables these people to connect with their loved ones and share experiences, which helps to stave off the effects of mental degradation and loneliness.

Next-Gen Entertainment

The entertainment sector is one of the biggest embracers of VR tech. This fully immersive approach to the tech could create an interesting market trend. No doubt that game designers will look towards this study to demonstrate how to make their titles more memorable. Also, high-end virtual tourism could one day replace the real thing for millions on a budget.

Forest Bathing Study Timeline

You can expect to see VR forest bathing put into use in the next 3-5 years. The technology is already available, and the results show immediate benefits for those using this approach to reduce stress. The main factors slowing adoption will be the cost of acquiring VR equipment capable of supporting multi-sensory inputs.

Forest Bathing Study Researchers

The virtual forest bathing study was conducted by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Human Development (MPIB) and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). The paper lists Leonie Ascone as the lead author. With support from a team of engineers, including the head of the study and Director of the Center for Environmental Neuroscience at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Simone Kühn.

Forest Bathing Study Future

The future of the Virtual Forest Bathing study is optimistic. The paper sets out in detail why it makes sense to continue testing the effects of virtual experiences on patients. The next move for the team is to conduct large-scale studies. This maneuver will help them to confirm the research across all demographics.

Innovative Company in the VR Medtech Market

Several VR product providers are working within the healthcare market. VR systems have proven to be ideal for helping patients get over fears, dementia, depression, loneliness, and even drug addiction. While still in its early years, the medical VR market is on the rise. Here's one company making a difference in this sector.

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

Zimmer Biomet Holdings (ZBH -1.8%) entered the market nearly 100 years ago as Zimmer Biomet Holdings. At that time, the company manufactured splints and other medical products. Founded in Warsaw, Indiana, the firm has seen significant growth since its launch. Today, it is a cutting-edge medical tech provider.

Zimmer Biomet Holdings offers clients access to a suite of integrated digital and robotic technologies designed to improve health care and treatment results. Additionally, the company has received numerous accolades for its best-in-class technology, infrastructure, and products.

While Zimmer Biomet does not specifically create forest-bathing VR, its leadership in AR, VR, and robotic-assisted solutions demonstrates the broader role of immersive technologies in modern healthcare.

Those seeking access to the medtech sector could find that Zimmer Biomet Holdings is a good fit. Notably, the firm secured a reputation as a market leader through its innovative products and secure business model. Today, the company offers AR and VR solutions, smart implants, and robotic surgery assistants.

Latest Zimmer Biomet Holdings (ZBH) Stock News and Developments

Virtual Forest Bathing Study | Conclusion

Virtual Forest Bathing is a great concept that could open the door to providing millions of people access to low-cost stress relief options. As advanced immersion VR systems become more common, there will be a renewed effort in holistic and natural stress relief systems. The Virtual Forest Bath protocol is the best of both worlds, enabling anyone to take a few minutes walking through a historic landscape, without ever spending a single penny on gas. For these factors and more, you have to commend this group of engineers.

Learn about other cool VR advancements here.

Studies Referenced:

^{1. Ascone, L., Kühn, S., Michel, C., & Ohly, H. (2025). Multi- vs. unimodal forest-bathing in VR to enhance affective and cognitive recovery after acute stress. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 90, 102238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102238}