Initiative pioneered by AVIFES in the field of mental health in our constant search to develop activities that contribute to improving the living conditions of people with mental illness..
Framed in an environment outside of our usual approach context, “Baños de Bosque” seeks, through connectivity with green spaces and forests, to reduce the risk factors that affect people’s physical and mental health.
Connecting with green spaces and forests
How did the initiative come about?
In 2018, in collaboration with USSE, the Association of Forestalistas of Bizkaia and the Rural Development Association Urremendi, we started the project “In the woods: Implementation and revitalization of the Forest Baths in Busturialdea”. Its objective was to implement and stimulate this initiative in the Basque Country, as an activity with therapeutic purposes that is carried out in wooded forest lands and that are said to have beneficial effects.
As a result of this project, AVIFES carried out the research: “Forest Baths: Impact on the health of people with mental illness” where it was evidenced that it is a beneficial activity for the population as a whole but with an even greater impact on people with mental health problems, from the mildest to the most serious stages, being especially beneficial for those with symptoms of stress, anxiety or low mood.
Do you want to know in more detail the results obtained and the conclusions of this study?
Check out our research!
95% of the participants reported having felt a general improvement in their mood. In fact, 45% went from feeling “normal” to “happy.” Likewise, 81% of the participants who were nervous at the beginning of the activity they perceived that their anxiety had been reduced. Slightly more than half of the sample, 54%, noted greater strength and energy. In relation to their illnesses, 89% have described that the symptoms of reluctance and lack of motivation were reduced.
Forest baths and women
Followingthe conclusions and proposals of the study “In the woods: Implementation and revitalization of the Forest Baths in Busturialdea”, and with support from DKV Seguros through its Call for Social Health Aids” You decide 2019 “, we developed this project “Forest Baths and Women” again in collaboration with USSE, Association of Forestalistas of Bizkaia,Forest Foundation and Alex Guesse, executive Director of Forest Theraphy institute, to continue deepening especially in relation to the population with mental health problems and more specifically in relation to women.
Do you want to know more about the results obtained and the conclusions of this study?
Check out our research!
The activity favors the reduction of anxiety in up to 92% of cases where participants had symptoms of nervousness prior to the start of the activity.28% of participnats reduced their compulsive thoughts towards issues that they find difficult to control, such as tobacco or food.
