Walking through a forest with the five senses is what is currently known as "forest bath." You will wonder, what does this novelty have?
The Shinrin-Yoku (literally "air bath in the forest") is a Japanese technique that has been practiced for centuries and helps restore the balance between body, mind and soul. Numerous studies have shown that it reduces stress, improves mood and reinforces the immune system. So it would not be uncommon for your doctor to prescribe a forest bath. In the Japanese country many companies already include these trips among their executives or begin to give time their workers to practice what is already considered in Japan as "traditional medicine" with a preventive basis.
To celebrate World Environment Day, we decided to spend the day in one of the forests for this activity and that is part of the Catalan network of therapeutic forests promoted by Sèlvans, association with which we have collaborated for years. In addition, it was especially nice to try therapy in the Requesens forest (Girona), since it is one of the forests that Natura Help preserve.
A "forest bath" consists of a quiet and accessible stay for everyone in a forest of very special characteristics, between two and three hours, preferably by guiaje and in small groups. The benefits in the health and well -being of people are enhanced, among others, thanks to the richness of biology and chemistry that contains an extraordinary forest atmosphere, slow walking, silence, relaxation, conscious breathing, and one (and one (and one (and one (and one (and one (and one (and one (and one (and one (and one (and one (and one (and one (and one (and one (and one (and one (and one re) Connection with a high quality natural environment through all our senses.
Who does not wonder in the presence of a centenary tree, even more before the view of an old forest? These are exceptional natural places made up of large and old trees, sometimes twisted and with cavities, mosses and lichens ... inhabited by an extraordinary animal and plant diversity of animal and plant life and not always visible to the naked eye.
Countless records relate these natural treasures to wisdom, mysticism, art and culture ... something connects us with what Carl Sagan described as "our cousins, trees." An ancestral connection, surely also derived from our most original origins as a species.
What do we do most to disconnect? Generally attend to social networks, watch TV, watch the series on duty ... error. This technological anger moves us even more to get our mind to clear. For those of us who live in the city, it is difficult to find nearby forests that walk, but there are always parks and small nature oasis.
We encourage you to enter www.selvans.ong, know the work of this association and inform you about the activities of Shinrin-Yoku. In our stores you can find the book Shinrin-Yoku. Forest healing baths, by Yoshifumi Miyazaki, to learn more on the subject.