With these Happy Hour Sessions you treat yourself or your team to a meaningful moment to dive into the weekend completely zen. In the meantime, you will discover the most magical places in Aalst. Because every forest bath starts at a different surprising location.
Shinrin-Yoku or forest bathing is a Japanese tradition that gained popularity especially in the 1980s. Meanwhile, more than 95 different centers and nature reserves in Japan have been specially set up to practice Shinrin-Yoku. You could call it ‘Mindfulness’ in the forest because by slowing down and reflecting on things you rediscover the beauty of nature.
This method of wading through the forest ensures that you reconnect with nature. We do this through a number of simple ‘invitations’ or invitations that you get started with. Rather, we speak of reactivation because it is an ancient instinct that we breathe new life into. It is a boon for body and mind. Research has shown that forest baths lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar levels and also have a positive effect on cells that fight cancer. But our focus is mainly on the healing effects on the mind. It helps to to reduce your stress levels and to take away fears.
Stress is such an odd mover that you usually don’t feel, but that you often carry in your backpack for a long time. So long, in fact, that you get used to it. But nothing is less true. Once you get rid of that stress, you feel reborn anyway. The rituals or invitations to which you can accept ensure that you stop and think for a while and learn to look back, hear, taste, listen, feel… Distance yourself during a forest bath is not important. So everyone can do it too. Slow is the message.
Each forest bath is concluded with a tea ceremony in group. If you want, you can just go home afterwards or you can enjoy the afterglow for a while.