Sylvotherapy: take a forest bath in Les 3 Vallées

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All year

Discover the benefits of Sylvotherapy

Now that you (finally) have some free time on holiday, why not take the opportunity to try something new, like sylvotherapy? It’s easy to make assumptions about this activity, thinking that it’s just hugging trees, but there’s much more to it than that. Being in contact with these giants of the forest is beneficial to our body and mental health in so many ways.

The benefits of forest bathing

There are a great many benefits to forest bathing:

Sylvotherapy awakens the 5 senses,

Breathing in forest air is good for your general health,

The practice can also fulfil a more serious role as a complement to medical treatment,

It can lower stress levels and negative thoughts, help when you’re feeling under pressure,

Increase energy, lower blood
pressure and help you to concentrate.

The sylvotherapy is good for health, practice it in Les 3 Vallées

Sabrina Millot, Tree Therapist

Nature reduces stress and helps you to find meaning in your existence. Connecting with mother nature is a beautiful gift to give yourself.
Sabrina Millot, Tree Therapist

I urge you to go and spend time with trees, to help develop your intuition and find inner peace.
Sabrina Millot, Tree Therapist

Forest bathing lets you de-stress and find answers to existential questions. I’ve been practising sylvotherapy for thirty years. It brings me a sense of well-being and answers to questions. The forest is like my coach. I go there every day, whatever the weather.
Sabrina Millot, Tree Therapist

I encourage those who attend my sessions to go out into nature as often as possible, even if it’s just a park in town. In France, 75% of the population lives less than 30 minutes from a forest.

AN ANCESTRAL PRACTICE IN THE HEART OF NATURE

Magic? Not quite, but breathing forest air allows you to absorb a number of helpful substances such as phytoncides, terpenes and negative ions, not to mention oxygen. Forest air is pure thanks to phytoncides, a volatile substance produced by trees to defend against attack, but also to communicate with each other, and very beneficial to our immune system. The trees that produce them in the largest quantities are birch and poplar.

“Scientific studies in Japan have been able to show that forest bathing increases the level of lymphocytes in the immune system, which leads to better protection from viruses. Terpenes are fragrant organic compounds produced by conifers and deciduous trees (contained in the resin) to communicate with each other and purify the air. They have anti inflammatory, anti-allergenic and pain- relieving properties. Turpentine, camphor and menthol are all terpenes most commonly used in perfume-making.

In the forest, you can also soak up negative ions. When the wind makes tree branches rub against one another, it stimulates their atoms and charges the air with negative electricity. Just like phytoncides and terpenes, negative ions are present in our blood, and breathing them in lowers our cortisol (stress) levels. They’re the opposite of positive ions (found in large quantities indoors), which cause inflammation and cell damage. That’s why it’s so important to get regular fresh air, in a forest for example”

explains Frédérique Arthuis,
a sylvotherapy practitioner in Chamonix.

Connect to nature

A FOREST BATH IN LES 3 VALLÉES

Discover the practice of Sylvotherapy in Les 3 Vallées

This winter, a number of sylvotherapy sessions, run by herbalist and tree therapist Sabrina Millot, are taking place in Saint-Martin-de-Belleville. During the two-hour session, she combines a little theory with lots of practical experience.

In the Belleville valley, there are both deciduous trees and conifers.

“Sylvotherapy is all about communicating with trees and nature. First of all, you need to wear comfortable clothes and walking boots. For beginners, it’s easier to start with a spruce than a daisy. I invite participants to call upon their 5 senses. The session begins with a short meditation, followed by a slow walk with breathing exercises. Everybody finds their own relaxation technique and way to switch off from their routine. Often, I give them edible tree leaves to taste, and invite them to smell bark and moss. By listening, we pay attention to the sounds that surround us. One of the practical exercises we offer consists of touching a part of a tree and communing with it. One part of the body has to be in contact with the tree, the hand, the back, whatever you like”, the tree therapist explains.

Contact Sabrina Millot

Sylvotherapy allows you to take the time
to contemplate nature, hear your breathing and listen to your body.

Recharge your batteries

A breath of
fresh air

Being on holiday gives you chance to take your time. Take a little time for yourself, to get in touch with your emotions, your body and nature in Les 3 Vallées.