Physiological and psychological recovery in two pure forests: interaction between perception methods and perception...

Area of Science:

• Environmental psychology
• Forestry science
• Human health

Background:

• Forest experiences positively impact physical and mental health.
• Limited research exists on pure forest exposure effects concerning duration and method.
• Understanding these factors is crucial for optimizing forest therapy benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of pure forest environments (Pinus sylvestris, Betula platyphylla) on physiological and psychological recovery.
• To compare the impact of different perception methods (onsite, video) and durations (10, 20, 30 min) on recovery.
• To identify optimal forest types and exposure parameters for stress reduction.

Main Methods:

• 180 first-year college students participated in controlled experiments.
• Exposure to Pinus sylvestris and Betula platyphylla forests, and a grass plot control.
• Physiological and psychological indicators were measured across varied perception methods and durations.

Main Results:

• Pinus sylvestris and Betula platyphylla showed distinct effects on diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and total mood disorder (TMD).
• Video perception enhanced short-term recovery of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and DBP.
• A 20-minute onsite perception of Pinus sylvestris was most effective for stress relief.

Conclusions:

• Pinus sylvestris demonstrates potential as a material for rehabilitation and stress reduction.
• Findings suggest optimizing landscape design with specific forest types and perception times for health benefits.
• This study provides a scientific basis for forest-based health and environmental perception in landscape architecture.