If each season has its own color, the ones of autumn are certainly those of the foliage.
An opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and breathe deeply (not to mention clean air) the wonder of colors warming up. While accompanied by the rhythmic crunch of dry leaves underfoot.
The Paganella Dolomites, together with naturopath Stefania Agostini, explained to us that foliage is not only a pleasure for the senses, but there are (at least) 6 benefits for the body and mind, along with many good reasons to take a walk in the woods during this particular time of year: from reducing stress to finding inner peace.
The Benefits of Foliage for Body and Mind
Strengthens the Respiratory System
Especially at this time of year, walking in the woods means being surrounded by a multitude of natural fragrances. Among the most intense scents are the woody essential oils emitted by conifers and their resins, which enrich the air quality, providing numerous benefits for the body and spirit, along with a deeper connection to nature through breathing.
“Woody essential oils act on our respiratory system, helping it defend against external agents,” explains naturopath Stefania Agostini. “To continue experiencing the benefits of the forest at home, pure essential oils can be used. One example is larch oil, harvested in October, which is used as an expectorant and antibacterial, but it also has a beneficial effect against stress.”
Reduces Cortisol Levels
Forest Bathing is an ancient Japanese practice that, through total immersion in the forest and inhaling monoterpenes released by plants, helps reduce stress and normalize blood pressure, with positive effects on the immune system as well.
In the Paganella Plateau, this experience can be enjoyed at the “Park of Breath,” a place filled with red spruces, Scots pines, larches, ash trees, black hornbeams, and especially beeches, which release the highest amounts of monoterpenes, especially in the early morning hours and after lunch. The best times to enjoy this experience are spring, summer, and the beginning of autumn, though the forest offers well-being in every season.
Equivalent to a Session of Chromotherapy
With the arrival of autumn, many trees change color: the reason is chlorophyll, which, as it degrades, eliminates the typical green color, revealing other pigments in the plants (carotenoids, anthocyanins, flavonoids…). This leads to the foliage phenomenon, which, according to chromotherapy, has numerous benefits for the mind and body through its colors.
“Each color has an energetic vibration that interacts with our body. Red is associated with warmth and energy, symbolizing fire, blood, and strength, motivating action toward change. Yellow conveys happiness and good humor, but also represents the intellectual part of the brain, thus aiding concentration. This bright color evokes lightness, vitality, optimism, and rebirth. Orange unites these two colors and evokes inner peace and transformation, transmitting positive feelings, serenity, creativity, and enthusiasm for life.”
Improves Circulation and Posture
For a complete and immersive experience, an interesting activity to try in autumn is walking barefoot. Feeling the bed of fallen leaves, establishing a direct connection with nature.
“The skin is the body’s largest organ of communication. It’s a pleasure to walk barefoot to receive stimuli from the earth, from which we also receive electrons that help reduce oxidative stress. This walk on the cool ground also stimulates circulation, boosts vitality, and improves posture,” explains Stefania Agostini.
Helps Rediscover “Wonder”
A walk in the woods and in contact with nature also has an important emotional effect. Thus, observing the changing landscape brings us back to a sense of wonder, an innate quality in children. In which adults can also experience by focusing on the present and restoring balance to body and spirit.
“Being in a natural environment makes us feel at ease, generating both physical and emotional benefits. Thanks to a deep connection with nature, we can relax and reduce worries, temporarily detaching from stressful rhythms to harmonize with our biological rhythms.”
Teaches Us to Let Go
Autumn is the season of change, and immersing ourselves in nature. During its transformation holds important symbolic value: it’s a time when something is about to end, only to make room for something new. Trees shed their leaves, but these will nourish the plants during the next season.
“Simply observing this phenomenon encourages us to embrace change with more serenity. Flowing with it without resistance, which would only make things harder. Observing nature helps us better navigate the many moments of change we face in life. Now, when it teaches us to ‘let go’ and ‘let things slide away.’ Like the trees, we too should ‘shed’ what’s unnecessary to live more fully in the present moment,” concludes Stefania Agostini.
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This article first appeared on Grazia.it
