Study links reduced hypochondria, nature hikes
According to a study, walking in the woods is very useful in relieving both hypochondria and fear. A team headed by Professor Sin Won-seop of Chungbuk National University's Department of Forestry measured the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) of 47 alcoholics who took part in a "forest treatment camp'' conducted by the Korea Forest Foundation from May to September. The BDI measures a person's level of hypochondria, and it is scored on a scale of 0-63 points. Before participating in the camp, the participants showed a BDI of 10-15 on average, meaning they had light symptoms of hypochondria, but after attending the camp, the average score was significantly lowered, to 5.52. People belonging to the 0-9 point BDI group are considered without hypochondriac tendencies. The camp provided one-night, two-day or two-night, three-day programs in the forests of Mt. Cheongtae in Heongseong, Gangwon Province or at Mt. Unmun in Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province. The program consisted of mountain climbing and meditating in the forest. The number of people with serious levels of hypochondria (24-63 points) before the camp was eight, but this figure decreased to two after attending the camp. Before the camp, only 32 percent of the participants were not showing symptoms of hypochondria, but after the group attended the camp up to 74 percent belonged to the lowest-scoring group.In connection with the favorable results, Professor Sin said that various stimulatory factors found in forests seemed to accelerate the secretion of hormones that relieve depression by stabilizing personality and activating a physiological reaction. According to Professor Sin, the camp was also effective in improving alcoholics' uneasiness and self-esteem. Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]
