A new study has revealed that “virtual forest bathing”—experiencing the sights, sounds, and even scents of natural forests through digital technology—can significantly reduce stress and boost mood, offering potential mental health benefits to people with limited access to nature. As Thailand’s cities grow increasingly dense and natural green spaces become harder to access for many urbanites, these findings carry important implications for stress management and wellness across the kingdom.
Originating from Japan, the concept of “forest bathing” or Shinrin Yoku involves spending quiet, undistracted time in a forest environment to calm the mind and promote health. Traditionally, this practice fosters deep immersion in nature, but modern lifestyles and urban expansion are rapidly separating millions—including Thais in cities like Bangkok—from such restorative environments. With green spaces shrinking and daily pressures mounting, experts have been exploring alternative methods to connect people with nature’s healing effects, even from within the cityscape.
A research team led by experts from the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Germany sought to determine whether a multisensory digital forest experience could provide similar benefits to in-person forest immersion. The study, published recently in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, involved building an immersive virtual reality (VR) simulation of a real forest using a 360° video filmed in the Sonnenberg nature reserve—the largest Douglas fir forest in Europe. The VR experience didn’t stop at video; the researchers also captured the natural auditory environment, including birdsong and the sound of wind, and added the scent of Douglas fir essential oils for full realism (Earth.com).
Study participants were divided into groups receiving different types of virtual forest immersion: the full multisensory experience (sight, sound, scent combined), and single-sense versions isolating either the visuals, the audio, or the smell. Before the VR session, participants’ stress levels were raised using stressful images, to better measure the calming effects of the intervention.
Results showed that those immersed in the full multisensory VR forest reported the greatest improvement in mood and perceived stress reduction. Single-sense experiences also provided relief, albeit to a lesser extent. Some participants even showed mild positive effects on working memory, which is crucial for short-term thinking and daily tasks.
Lead researcher from the Neuronal Plasticity working group at UKE underscored the significance of digital nature: “We can already say that digital nature experiences can absolutely produce an emotional effect—even if they don’t replace actual nature.” According to the director of the Center for Environmental Neuroscience at the Max Planck Institute, virtual nature applications could be especially helpful in stressful settings such as clinics, waiting areas or urban interiors, supporting mental well-being: “The images, sounds, and scents of nature offer previously underestimated potential for improving mood and mental performance in everyday situations.”
Virtual nature therapies, such as virtual forest bathing, are not intended to supplant real forest experiences, which provide irreplaceable benefits like fresh air, physical activity, and unique micro-environmental exposures. However, for people in settings with limited access to nature—a common reality in Thai metropolises—these digital interventions could become vital tools for stress management and mood support.
In Thailand, urbanization has led to a dramatic decline in green spaces, especially in Bangkok, where the World Cities Culture Forum cites only 6.9 square meters of green space per person—far below recommendations from the World Health Organization (Bangkok Post). Many residents must travel long distances to reach public parks or nature reserves. Virtual forest bathing, potentially deployable in offices, schools, hospitals, or even skytrain stations, may supplement traditional approaches to wellness, such as meditation and exercise, for those unable to regularly access nature.
This research dovetails with trends in Thai corporate wellbeing programs and healthcare settings, where mindfulness and stress reduction are increasingly prioritized to combat urban stress and workplace burnout. For example, some local hospitals and companies have begun to incorporate VR technology in rehabilitation therapy and staff break rooms, recognizing the need for diverse approaches to mental health (Thai PBS World). Such multisensory applications could further enhance these efforts, providing immersive escapes that offer measurable psychological benefits.
Forest bathing in its original form has cultural resonance in Thailand, where temples, parks, and even lush temple gardens are valued for their peaceful, restorative atmosphere. Thai traditional medicine recognizes the healing power of nature, with herbal scents and forest retreats long used for rejuvenation. Virtual forest bathing leverages this cultural familiarity with nature-based wellness, but extends its reach to the digital realm.
As technology becomes integral to everyday life, the possibility of using VR headsets or even mobile devices to simulate nature for urban Thais is no longer far-fetched. Multisensory VR content could be adapted for use in offices, public transit lounges, classrooms, or patient wards. Even brief, daily digital “nature breaks” might lower stress biomarkers or improve students’ concentration—areas that future research may expand upon.
The authors advise that virtual forest bathing is not a full substitute for genuine outdoor activity, a point echoed by Thai public health officials emphasizing the need for physical exercise and sun exposure. Yet, for those unable to leave their homes—due to illness, disability, or demanding schedules—these new forms of digital nature immersion may serve as valuable adjuncts for emotional and cognitive health.
Looking ahead, more studies will be needed to determine the long-term benefits and best practices for virtual nature use in Thailand. Experts are optimistic that, as VR becomes more affordable, and as content is localized (perhaps featuring Thai forests, sounds, and familiar flora), such experiences will become part of a coordinated strategy to preserve mental well-being in an increasingly urban world. Researchers urge caution not to allow digital solutions to replace ongoing efforts to protect real forests and green spaces, which remain irreplaceable for both human and ecological health.
For Thai readers seeking improved mood, reduced stress, or a sense of nature connection, while regular visits to a national park or a local botanical garden remain the gold standard, trying virtual forest bathing—even on a smartphone or in a VR-equipped wellness center—could offer unexpected relief. Embrace the benefits of nature where you can, prioritize outdoor experiences when possible, but consider digital forest immersion as a supplement if life’s demands keep you indoors.
For more details, see the study summary at Earth.com, and stay tuned for further research on emerging digital wellness solutions.