Background

Forest bathing, also known as shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese practice that involves immersing oneself in nature, particularly forests, to reduce stress, enhance well-being, and promote a deeper connection with the natural environment. This project is an extension of a UBC Faculty of Forestry clinical trial conducted in Vancouver parks in 2022. Some participants faced challenges attending forest bathing sessions due to mobility, transportation and illness.

Objective

This project aims to pilot immersive, audio-visual experiences to provide restorative forest bathing experiences for individuals who cannot participate in traditional, in-person sessions due to physical limitations, health concerns, or other barriers. By partnering with the Emerging Media Lab and leveraging existing project work, such as the Stanley Park Geography VR Field Trip and the 360 Videos tour of Vancouver, we will explore alternative media to make forest bathing experiences accessible to a broader audience, including individuals with limited mobility, health concerns, safety issues, and time constraints.

The Team

Team Leads

• Dr. John Innes
• Tara Brown

Student Team

• Julien Roy (May 2023 – Present)
• Yebin Cho (May 2023 – Present)
• Sadie Lee (May 2023 – Present)
• Zhanerke (Janner) Zhumash (May 2023 – Present)
• Annika Coutinho (May 2023 – Present)