Consacrata “baie de soare” – sunbath – are deja, de prin 1980, o alternativa verde, pentru iubitoriii de padure: Forest Bathing, pe care sunt tentata sa o numesc Green Bath, asimiland-o unui ritual dintr-un Spa de lux. Ipoteza deplin credibila, caci de la boutique-hoteluri până la stațiuni de lux, forest bathing, forest breathing si tree-toxing reprezinta tendințele de wellness ale anului, tot mai multe resorturi oferind elemente de tree therapy.
Forest Bathing este tehnica japoneza de wellness shinrin-yoku, care inseamna mai mult decat o plimbare agale prin padure, fiind o comuniune a tuturor simturilor cu natura, ce implica meditatie si un mix de metode de relaxare si contemplatie. Abordarea atenta a naturii si asimilarea ei cu toate simturile are efecte benefice pentru sanatatea noastra, studiile facute de japonezi aratand scaderi semnificative ale tensiunii arteriale, o reglare a ritmului cardiac, scaderea concentratiei de cortisol, hormonul indicator al stresului, dar si cresterea imunitatii organismului, prin activarea limfocitelor.
Aceasta forma de eco-terapie este cu sens dublu, caci ofera o stare de bine oamenilor si totodata, prin reconectarea acestora cu natura, protejeaza padurile.
The Forest Therapy Society infiintata de japonezi, dezvolta o serie de programe prin care formeaza ghizi ce ofera doritorilor experiente structurate de Forest Bathing, derulate sub forma unor excursiii ce includ eco-terapii de 2-3 ore, care imbina programe fizice si mentale.
Deși Japonia este creditată cu termenul de shinrin-yoku, conceptul din centrul practicii nu este deloc nou, multe culturi recunoscand din vremuri stravechi importanța naturii pentru sănătatea umană, ca balsam pentru minte, corp si spirit. In Norvegia, este ideea de friluftsliv, adica viata in aer liber, in timp ce germanii au waldeinsamkeit, senzatia de solitudine linistita, resimtita cand esti singur in padure. Iar elvetienii nu merg prea des la slujba de duminica pentru liniste sufleteasca, alegand in schimb drumetiile prin munti, cu fosnet de frunze in bolta verde si umbroasa a copacilor din Alpi.
English version text:
The consecrated “sunbath” already has, since 1980, a green alternative for forest lovers: Forest Bathing, which I like to call Green Bath.
Forest Bathing is the Japanese shinrin-yoku wellness technique, which means more than a leisurely walk through the forest, being a communion of all the senses with nature, since involves meditation and a mix of methods of relaxation and contemplation. Careful approach to nature – aka the commonly used term mindfulness – has at least interesting beneficial effects on our health, studies done by the Japanese showing significant drops in blood pressure, a regulation of heart rate, decreased cortisol concentration, the stress indicator hormone, but also increase the body’s immunity by activating lymphocytes.
This form of eco-therapy has a double meaning, because it offers a state of well-being to people and at the same time, by reconnecting them with nature, it protects forests.The Forest Therapy Society founded by the Japanese, develops a series of programs through which it forms guides that offer structured experiences of Forest Bathing, developed in the form of excursions that include eco-therapies. 2-3 hours, and combines physical and mental programs.
Although Japan is credited with the term shinrin-yoku, the concept at the center of the practice is not new at all, with many cultures recognizing from ancient times the importance of nature for human health, as a balm for the mind, body and spirit. In Norway, it is the idea of friluftsliv, meaning outdoor life, while the Germans have waldeinsamkeit, the feeling of quiet loneliness, felt when you are alone in the woods. And the Swiss do not go to the Sunday service too often for peace of mind, choosing instead to hike through the mountains, with the rustle of leaves in the green and shady vault of the Alpine trees.
Photo credits: Courtesy of the South Tyrol tourist board, Tanguilan/Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, Shinta Mani Wild, personal archive Ruxandra Chiurtu