If you’re looking for a break that will bring total relaxation and also bring you closer to nature, Austria is worth a look. Here’s some advice on getting started from the Austrian National Tourist Office
We all know the boost we can get from heading outdoors and immersing ourselves in nature, be it a walk in the woods, a picnic by a shimmering lake or perhaps a day trip to a local beauty spot. So imagine the wellbeing benefits that can be gleaned from a holiday to a destination where the landscapes are simply jaw dropping and the opportunities to get up close to nature are second to none. Whether you’re looking to get active or to completely switch off and recharge your batteries, Austria offers something for all of us. But what is it about being in nature that helps to focus our minds, ease any worries and boost happiness? One popular concept is the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, the process of switching off – quite literally – from the modern world and reconnecting with nature through your senses. Research shows that, as well as producing oxygen, trees also release biochemicals called phytoncides to warn other trees and to defend themselves against harmful bacteria. Breathing in these phytoncides has an anti-microbial effect on our bodies, which can help to boost the immune system.
Follow your nose
Forest bathing isn’t about exercise or getting to a destination, either, but about being in the moment – you may choose to wander without purpose, letting your senses guide you, or you may prefer to stop and sit, absorbing the sounds, smells, colours, textures and tastes that surround you. The experience will be different for everyone – some may be drawn to the damp earthy scents, others will delight in the rich palette of seasonal colours dappled in sunlight, or you may feel yourself unwind simply by closing your eyes and listening. However, you chose to enjoy forest bathing, the benefits are clear with studies linking it to reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol, anxiety and high blood pressure, while mood and creativity are boosted.
“Humans still operate on the same software as in the Stone Age,” says wood expert and former forester Edwin Thoma. “And that’s why spending time in nature is so refreshing. The biochemicals trees exchange are a true elixir for us humans.”
Spoilt for choice
With six national parks and almost half the country covered in forest, Austria’s diverse landscape has plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in nature. Even its capital, Vienna, is famed for being the world’s greenest city. No matter the appeal, Austria offers the ideal destination to recharge and revive. So start planning your trip now and unlock the rewards that a backto-nature holiday can deliver. For more information, visit austria.info.
Get the most from Forest Bathing
Time it wisely Avoid the crowds and try early morning or mid-week when your patch will be quieter.
Turn off all devices No one needs the distracting ping of a WhatsApp to shatter the peace.
Slow down Don’t aim to get from A-B, just let your feet take over, or better still, follow your nose and seek out those deep earthy smells.
Focus on your senses What can you smell, hear, see or feel?
You may prefer to stop and sit. Remember, the quieter you are, the more alive the nature around you will become.
Take in your surroundings Studies have shown that shades of green and blue, found in abundance on a clear day in the forest, are proven to help people relax the most.
Breathe Concentrate on your breathing with deep breaths in and out, taking in all those beneficial phytoncides produced by the trees
Where to visit
Long for a fresh forest landscape? Austria has something for you The Styrian Mountains, known for its forests of larch and Swiss pine. The Waldviertel region, which translates as ‘Forest Quarters’. Böhmerwald in Upper Austria has deep forests and granite rocks. Bregenzerwald, famed for its distinctive wooden architecture. The Karwendel region of Tirol, with over 2,000 sycamore maples. Salzburg’s Lungau region, is home to the country’s biggest UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.