Invisible health balm
You know it for sure – at home, you do your best to be the perfect parent and partner, at work, it’s all about performing as well as possible. Although an active lifestyle has a lot of advantages, relaxation shouldn’t be forgotten either. We have an idea of how to take time for yourself and allow yourself to enjoy beneficial moments with minimum artificial stimuli as if the time has stopped – anytime during the year and in any weather.
Have you heard about the so-called forest therapy? No? Then keep reading. We, people have been an inseparable part of nature from of old, but the speed of our modern world causes us to move away from nature more and more. Although the beneficial effects of trees on our health – physical as well as mental cannot be denied. Trees form a compact ecosystem, they are the home of various living creatures, absorb carbon dioxide from the environment and release oxygen. Trees in cities can reduce noise pollution. Expert studies all around the world show that spending time near these majestic representatives of flora reduces stress, intensifies the feeling of happiness, improves mood and boosts immunity.
Be connected
Trees grow in communities and in connection with other trees, they create forests. Living in a community is natural also for humans. Have you ever recognised this deep link or what could be behind it? The connection with nature and spending time in a green embrace is a biological need or even a necessity for people!
The fact that trees have a significant and irreplaceable role in the whole history is proven also by the honour paid to them because almost every world religion is based on them (the power of trees was well-known also to the ancient Celts, Indian tribes considered trees to be their friends and partners, but these artworks of nature appear also in Hindu and Buddhist legends and often have a holy character).
Forest bath in the Tatras
One of the easiest ways how to get close to trees is to take a hike. And is there a more magical place to do that than the High Tatras? Mountain climate, absolutely clean air with something extra that you won’t find anywhere in Slovakia – stunning views and silence will make your trip unforgettable and add a calming, cleansing and healing effect to it. And you don’t even need a prescription from a doctor. Just go to nature. You will feel the benefits of such a trip immediately: in addition to organising your thoughts, unknown places can inspire you to new ideas for work or your everyday life. You can also do a slow run or meditate in the embrace of forest noises. But get ready for a flood of health and mental benefits because forests clean your lungs, get your heart pumping, burn calories, reduce your mental exhaustion and anxiety, boost the release of endorphins, help you focus better and be more creative. Simply said, your mind will finally relax properly.
The Japanese have a special expression for such relaxation in nature – shinrin-yoku is the so-called forest bathing but not literally. It means spending time by being active in a natural environment in the embrace of trees. Regular short “green visits” like this are proven to be beneficial for overall well-being, which increases the average length of life.
Escape the city bustle, pack some comfortable clothes and boost your fitness and immunity at least with a weekend in the Tatras. You will feel the extraordinary effect of such seemingly simple trip instantly.
Zdroj: Mária Pavligovská
Fotografie: Martin Maličký
