Do you know the great beneficial power of Nature? Of trees and woods?
During the Weekend OVERCOMING FEAR THANKS TO NATURE with Tamara Lunger, the famous Italian mountaineer, we re-discovered it in Val di Non Trentino at Rumo's White Horse.
Yes ! We tried a BATHING IN THE FOREST, but without getting wet :-))))
The term shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing”, was coined in the 1980s in Japan, and involves the total immersion in the atmosphere of the forest. Getting lost in the landscape, assimilating the essential oils of the trees, taking a morning, an afternoon or an entire day to make the colors and scents your own has in fact countless positive effects. It is a real return to nature which, as confirmed by numerous scientific studies, allows you to regain your balance, reduce stress levels, improve mood and strengthen the immune system.
Our experience
Saturday afternoon atHotel Cavallino Bianco in Val di Non have organized an experience of “forest therapy. As in the original Japanese protocol the choice of forest is not at all indifferent to practice it correctly Shinrin Yoku so much so that Fabrizio accompanied us – in a minibus – to a beautiful, uncontaminated forest.
Why "forest bathing" actually happens beneficial some plants are needed which compared to others are capable of releasing greater quantities of monoterpenes and phytoncides, the Guide explained to us.
Conifers (such as pines and firs) characterized by needle-like leaves, have "storage" systems for essential oils, therefore they tend to "hold" these substances and not release them into the environment. For this reason, these plants do not they are the most suitable to do some "diving" in the forest even if there “balsamic” component is expressed at the highest levels.
An immersive experience - forest bathing - which, thanks to the contact with trees, associated with breathing exercises promises to help the body and mind regenerate, as long as it is lived at a SLOW pace, forgetting about the clock and above all smartphones, but dedicating all the necessary time to it. The same time you think you will never have.
The philosophy of forest bathing
Like many Asian practices, this one also has its roots in a very specific idea, namely that man, like other animals, is a child of the earth and that, therefore, only contact with it can heal him. This union between man and nature leverages primary instincts and generates an immediate relaxation and sense of peace and balance which, once we return from the excursion, translates into the physical need to leave again.
This practice intrigued us so much that we later discovered that In Japan the government also recommends it. ON THE CONTRARY, in Japan this technique is not only recommended, but it is became the subject of a real health and social policy initiative on the part of the Government, which for years has been pushing citizens as much as possible to dedicate themselves to relaxation in the countryside, with the aim of making the activity an integral part of everyone's life.
What are the benefits of Shirin-yoku
If practiced consistently, can strengthen the immune system, decrease heart rate and blood sugar and reduce anxiety, depression and anger, so much so that in Japan even doctors often prescribe Shinrin-yoku to their patients, especially to those who for various reasons are subjected to highly stressful situations.
But a few hours of walking in a wooded environment allow you to come into contact with many other natural substances, which combined together, act on blood pressure, generating a relaxing and calming effect.
Shinrin-yoku is also indicated during recovery period from surgery or illness, to help those with sleep problems and counteract hyperactivity syndrome and the inability to concentrate. And they thought of the Cavallino Bianco precisely after this period of COVID-19
