Of the therapeutic value of forest bathing Weco social enterprise and the Alpi Marittime management body were already convinced more than a year ago, when they launched the project «Bin n’tel Bosc. Immersed in the woods” with the aim of promoting immersive experiences in the woods of the Maritime Alps, and in particular of the Marguareis Park.
Today (Friday 15 November), with the numbers and impressions of a year of experimentation, they are ready to talk about its impact and evolution. The numbers, therefore: the project trained 26 professionals and involved 450 subjects – people with physical and mental disabilities, lower and upper secondary school students. A feeling of general well-being, a strengthening of the immune system, a regularization of the heartbeat and blood pressure, a decrease in sugars and pollutants in the blood, an increase in creativity and memory and an improvement in mood: this is expected from the experiences conducted by the Park guides, and this was it. Over 82% of participants felt a feeling of calm, over 57% a sense of carefreeness, and more than 53% happiness. Many students have discovered a new way of being in contact with nature, which can also be practiced independently.
It is from this evidence that the promoters of the project, whose version 2.0 will still be supported by the Crc Foundation, this time through the “Committed to rights” call, set out to define its continuation. More training, more certifications, a broadening of the audience of recipients: these are the pillars. On the first front, an online capacity building training open to all will start on Tuesday 19th, divided into 14 lessons – cost 40 euros, registration on we.co.it/terapia-forestale – which will end in April with an experiential weekend in Chiusa Pesio .
On the second front, in some areas of the Park a series of screenings will detect some useful parameters to certify the therapeutic effectiveness of the forest according to recognized standards. Luigi Vallome, Weco’s eco-community manager, emphasizes this aspect: «The objective is to have more and more data that attests to the benefits of forest bathing to transmit it as a scientific practice. If all forests do well, some do better, and these monitoring will demonstrate this.”
On the third front, interventions are planned to improve the accessibility of routes suitable for forest bathing, proposals will be put together to be experienced independently and by mixed teams, made up of psychiatrists and educators from the Mental Health Center of the ASL Cn1, guides and designers of the Parco will collaborate to define activities dedicated to patients of the Mental Health Center of the ASL Cn1: «Through activities in the woods and will not work towards modeling the offer». The initiative will involve 500 new beneficiaries – students, people with disabilities, elderly people and psychiatric patients – and days will be organized aimed at specific audiences in which they can experience an immersion that is good for everyone and for all seasons, is zero cost and sustainable.
Today (Friday 15 November), at 9am, the meeting space of the Crc Foundation, in via Roma 15 in Cuneo, hosts the conference «Bin n’tel Bosc. The well-being that comes from the forest.” Federica Zabini and Francesco Meneguzzo, researchers of the National Research Council at the Institute for Bioeconomy of Florence, will illustrate their research on forest therapy, Alberica Orsa Mion, researcher of the University of Milan, will present the first results of the study conducted with Professor Giorgio Vacchiano on the effects of urban and peri-urban green spaces on collective well-being.
The Therapeutic Wonders of Forest Bathing: A Cheeky Exploration
Well, if you thought a walk in the park was therapeutic, wait until you hear about this! In an inspiring intersection of nature and mental health, the social enterprise Weco and the Alpi Marittime management have taken a solid leap into the great outdoors with their project, “Bin n’tel Bosc. Immersed in the Woods”. Yes, you heard it—when life gets tough, just add trees!
So, What Exactly Is Forest Bathing?
Before you wonder if we’re talking about stripping down in the woods like a gathering of hermits, let’s clarify. Forest bathing—known as Shinrin-yoku in Japan—is essentially immersing yourself in a natural environment to soak in its benefits. And it appears that Weco has embraced this philosophy like it’s their long-lost uncle at a family reunion. A year into their trials, they’ve got numbers and feedback that suggest it’s doing wonders for well-being.
They trained 26 professionals and reached out to 450 brave souls—a mix of students and individuals with physical and mental challenges. Now, get this: over 82% of participants reported feelings of calm. Someone needs to send these figures to every disgruntled office worker out there! Imagine if HR offered “forest days” instead of endless Zoom calls—chronic stress could plummet faster than my hopes of getting a cab on a rainy night!
The Statistics Speak Volumes
What has this forest frolic achieved?Well, we’re talking about an impressive array of physiological perks. We’re seeing a strengthening immune system. A bit of an improved mood. You know, actual happiness! Over 53% of those involved also reported a delightful rush of joy! It seems indulging in nature works wonders for the brain, who would have thought? It’s like discovering a cheat code for life.
Taking it Up a Notch with Forest Bathing 2.0
Now, as if that wasn’t enough, the project doesn’t want to stop there. With the power of the Crc Foundation behind them, we’re gearing up for Forest Bathing 2.0. Sounds like the sequel to a magical film—where the hero, nature, is back with even more tricks up its sleeves. We’re looking at more training, certifications, and accessibility improvements, which might just make this experience as common as your local coffee shop!
On the training front, they’re kicking off an online capacity-building course. Yes, you can now add “forest bather” to your résumé—think of the dating profile possibilities! This class, divided into 14 lessons and priced at 40 euros, ends with a whimsical experiential weekend. It’s like summer camp for adults—minus the awkward campfire songs and unfortunate s’more incidents.
The Science of Trees—Who Knew?
Furthermore, they’re adding a scientific backbone to this leafy escapade. Screening will assess the therapeutic effectiveness of various forest areas, proving once and for all that some woods are simply better at repairing hearts and minds than others. Who knew trees had such great distinction? Talk about a tree-hugging academic world!
Inclusivity Meets Nature
And they’re not just stopping at making friends with nature. The plan is to expand the reach—to get up to 500 more beneficiaries involved including elderly folks, students, and even psychiatric patients. This initiative is not only about healing but also about making it accessible—like that free Wi-Fi everyone suddenly wants whenever you’re out of range!
Conclusions and Call to Action
Finally, if you’re curious about the scientific scoop behind forest therapy, head over to Cuneo! They recently hosted a conference on the benefits of this natural remedy, including insights from some sharp minds in the research community. Grab your notepad and let’s log some serious foliage data—because who wouldn’t want to be more in touch with their inner bunny?
So, in case you needed another reason to ditch your screen for a bit, remember this: sometimes the best therapy comes straight from Mother Nature herself. And who doesn’t fancy a good old-fashioned walk in the woods now and then? Let’s make forest bathing a thing—because who needs overpriced therapy sessions when you’ve got trees?
How can the online capacity-building course for forest therapy enhance personal qualifications and community health?
And costing a modest 40 euros, begins on Tuesday, the 19th and culminates with an experiential weekend in Chiusa Pesio. So, if you’re looking to enhance your qualifications while advocating for a healthier planet, this might just be the course for you!
Interview with Luigi Vallome, Eco-Community Manager at Weco
**Editor:** Luigi, thank you for joining us today! Can you tell us a little about the motivation behind the “Bin n’tel Bosc” project?
**Luigi Vallome:** Absolutely! Our main goal was to harness the therapeutic benefits of nature, or what’s often called forest bathing. We wanted to create an inclusive environment where everyone—students, individuals with disabilities, and others—could experience this firsthand. The transformative power of nature is truly remarkable, and our data is showing that!
**Editor:** That’s impressive! You mentioned some amazing statistics—82% of participants feeling calm and over 53% experiencing happiness. What do you attribute this to?
**Luigi Vallome:** It’s fascinating, isn’t it? We believe it’s a combination of the natural environment’s calming effects and the structured, guided experiences we provided. Nature naturally lowers stress and enhances wellbeing. When participants immerse themselves in woods like those in the Marguareis Park, it fosters a sense of peace and connection, which is often lost in our modern lives.
**Editor:** And now you’re looking to expand this initiative, correct? What’s in store for “Forest Bathing 2.0”?
**Luigi Vallome:** Yes, indeed! With support from the Crc Foundation, we are aiming to further train our guides and enhance accessibility, ensuring that more people can benefit from these experiences. We want to gather more data as well, solidifying forest bathing as a viable, scientifically-backed therapeutic practice. This will help us engage with a wider audience, including those with specific mental health needs.
**Editor:** Sounds like a comprehensive approach! How will the online capacity-building course work?
**Luigi Vallome:** Great question! Starting on Tuesday, it will consist of 14 lessons designed for anyone interested in forest therapy. Participants will learn both the theory and practical approaches to conducting forest bathing sessions. It’s an opportunity for personal growth and also a way to contribute to community health.
**Editor:** One last thing—if someone is on the fence about trying forest bathing, what would you say to encourage them to take the leap?
**Luigi Vallome:** I’d say just give it a shot! You don’t need to be an expert in nature or mental health. Just come with an open mind and willingness to disconnect from the daily grind. The benefits are astounding—think of it as a reset button for your soul. Plus, who wouldn’t want to hang out with trees for a day?
**Editor:** Thank you, Luigi! I’m sure many will be inspired to get out into the woods after hearing about your project.
**Luigi Vallome:** Thank you for having me! Let’s make forest bathing a common practice, one step at a time.