PlayOn pages

Forest Therapy

Immerse yourself in the state’s only Certified Nature Forest Therapy Trail. Pinnacle Park in Sylva is over 1,500 acres of pristine natural beauty, and visitors can experience its rejuvenating qualities first hand. Brochures available at the trailhead will lead you through a self-guided forest therapy walk on the gently sloping lower loop trail. Forget about the stresses of everyday life with Shinrin-Yoku, the ancient Japanese art of Forest Bathing. Studies show that a focused session lasting fifteen minutes in nature lowers blood pressure, anxiety, stress and boosts the immune system; mental clarity improves. It’s simple to do yourself at Pinnacle Park in Sylva. • Leave behind or silence any distractions so you can be fully present in the experience • Allow your mind to wander and focus on the leaves, the sounds, the cascading river • Take time to notice your surroundings and the earth beneath your feet • Find a comfortable sitting position and listen to the birds, the

breeze, and the sounds of nature • Be mindfully present with yourself

If you’re looking for a guided experience, Dr. Mark Ellison at Pinnacle Forest Therapy is a certified Nature and Forest Therapy guide. Learn more at PinnacleForestTherapy.com.

Out and About

• Visit Bridge Park in Sylva for free concerts every Friday, Memorial Day through Labor Day. • America’s most beloved national park sites, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, are located twenty minutes from Sylva.

Photos: @ydcordy, @trbtbone, @anna_ucf, @kit.katdellinger

19