Did you know the global consumption of toilet tissue equivalent to 27,000 trees everyday?

Did you know that historically speaking, the fact that humans mostly live in cities, surrounded by concrete and technology, is very recent? For 99.9% of humanity, humans lived in harmony with nature, or at least surrounded by it. It is therefore a minimal 0.01% remaining that represents the place of urban life in the history of mankind.

What exactly does that entail? On one hand, since the advent of modern technology and urbanization, there have been a radical increase in physical and mental illnesses, and on the other hand, humans are disconnected from nature and therefor grant less efforts to protect it. Yet trees, for example, have a positive and even healing impact on mankind, and given our Brand concept, this is what we would like to discuss with you today.

Shinrin-yoku, or tree bathing 

In the 1980s, Japanese doctors looked into the therapeutic and medical benefits of walking in the forest, and what they discovered is very interesting: trees and some herbaceous plants give off phytoncides, a group of volatile organic compounds. Regular exposure to phytoncides have all kinds of benefits, both medical and therapeutic. It is for these reasons that the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries coined the term "Shinrin-Yoku", which literally translates to "tree bathing" and decided to encourage the population to practice it as often as needed.

But no, tree bathing has nothing to do with taking a bath in the middle of a forest. It’s all about walking among the trees, quite simply. Be careful, however! To do so properly and reap the benefits, we must put technology aside, and slow down our pace. We absolutely must refrain from turning shinrin-yoku into a hike. Instead, we have to walk slowly and take the time to breathe deeply, in order to inhale and enjoy the benefits of the famous phytoncides. Stopping to sit and observe the scenery is also encouraged.

The benefits of sylvotherapy 

Tree therapy, or sylvotherapy, is effective for all kinds of ailments, both physical and psychological. This is because phytoncides have the benefits of lowering cortisol (the stress hormone) and our heart rate, in addition to acting as an anti-inflammatory and strengthening the immune system.

Although sylvotherapy is not a curative practice in itself, and therefore does not alone have the capacity to cure diseases, it has a positive effect on anxiety, mental health, stress and cardiovascular diseases. Shinrin-yoku has even been shown to help grieving people get a little better. 

How and where to practice shinrin-yoku? 

You don't have to go to Japan, or even have access to a forest to practice sylvotherapy. Sitting under a tree for about 20 minutes (and barefoot, when the weather permits it) would also be beneficial, as is an environment with several plants. In fact, some herbaceous species give off more phytoncides than others: this is the case of lavender, myrrh, thyme and rosemary.

If you have access to an urban wooded area that cannot necessarily be considered a forest, that's fine too ... hence the importance of reforestation in urban areas! Just be sure to walk slowly, breathe deeply, put your smartphone aside, and take the time to observe nature.

The importance of reforestation 

We know that while trees are good for our physical and mental health, they are also essential for the environment. A single tree can, on its own, absorb up to 48 pounds of carbon dioxide and produce 260 pounds of oxygen per year.

At ECO BOOM, we love trees and understand the magnitude of their importance, and that's why we choose bamboo as our raw materials.

Did you know the global consumption of toilet tissue equivalent to 27,000 trees everyday?

Bamboo is the fastest growing plants in the world. Its growing speed is 30 times faster than trees, making it the most sustainable products on the market. Bamboo is not only our resource, but also our solution.

In addition, the bamboo fibers are rounder and longer, this means that our products are not only more environmentally friendly but also of better quality. As a herbaceous plant, bamboo can be regenerated from the roots to grow continuously, without fertilization and repeated planting.

As an eco-friendly brand, ECO BOOM is continuing to take big steps in doing better for our planet so our children and grandchildren can enjoy the beauty it has to offer.

Thank you to all of our amazing partners for making a small change that's turning into a massive impact.