Yoku
This project aims to utilise the ancient techniques of Shinrin-Yoku ( Forest Bathing ) and Sensory Modulation Intervention. Proven to have effective results in reducing stress and anxiety, the aim was to replicate the techniques into a portable digital app. The app increases the reach of people who live in cities and towns to have a similar experience as people who live in the countryside.
“Shinrin Yoku”
Dr Qing Li is considered to be the founder of forest bathing which originated in Japan in the 1980s. The concept stems from the promotion of being still in the environment around you and taking in nature to lower blood pressure and ultimately reduce anxiety and stress.
Over the years, there have been numerous experiments and studies to understand and evaluate if this idea can improve mental health. An interesting systematic review conducted by Wen et al in 2019 found that forest bathing produced a significant positive outcome amoungst participants
How could I develop this technique into an app?
I realised that the fundamentals of Forest Bathing relied on the recognition of focusing your senses on the environment around you. I decided to learn more about the concept of the senses. My research brought me to this idea of Sensory Modulation Intervention .
The concept behind SMI, in accordance with the Mental Health Occupational Therapy Sensory Approaches Clinical Group, is to focus on certain sensory inputs that can assist in regulating overwhelming feelings that may cause anxiety. Consequently allowing people to regulate their emotions, resulting in alteration of alertness and relieving anxiety.
This inspired me to create a survey that could be replicated to form the basis for the app. The document included a list of senses that the participants would need to fill in during their next walk and feedback on how the experiment made them feel.
Ultimately this project enabled me to transform an ancient technique, into a reliable brand and app that people could use from anywhere to reduce stress and anxiety.