THE Forestry therapy As an effective practice for psychophysical well -being. A recent CNR study, in collaboration with the CAI, has tested four paths in the province of Florence, confirming its therapeutic usefulness and economic potential for rural and mountain territories
The results of the For.sa – Forest and Health Project
During the final conference held in recent weeks in Pontassieve, the results of the project were presented For.sa – Forests and Healthcoordinated by the Florentine Mountain Forest and financed by the Rural Development Program of the Tuscany Region, through the Gal Start.
The project analyzed the effectiveness of forest therapy with the scientific support of the CNR – Institute for Bioeconomics.
The conference highlighted how the Forestry therapy can represent not only an opportunity for public health but also an economic lever for the rural and mountain territoriescontributing to their enhancement and sustainable development.
The four routes in the Florentine mountains
CNR researchers evaluated four forest therapy routes located in the municipalities of Rufina, Londa, Regello and San Godenzo. The results confirmed the environmental suitability of all the paths and the effectiveness of some in promoting the general well -beingwith positive effects also on patients with addictions.
An important enhancement of the territory
The For.sa project created accessible places, reported and also suitable for the autonomous practice of forest therapy. The itineraries allow users to carry out Concentration exercises on the senses and to get in deep contact with the natural environment, contributing to the development of a Slow and sustainable tourism in the mountain areas of Valdisieve and Valdarno.
Benefits confirmed by experts in the sector
During the therapeutic sessions led by psychologists and psychotherapists, data on anxiety, mood disorders and other health indicators were collected.
The CNR has also measured the levels of monoterpenes, beneficial substances produced by plants and air quality, detecting low concentrations of pollutants. The guided sessions were more effective than the self -managed ones.
An opportunity for health and territories
The results have shown i benefits Directs of forest therapy on depression, stress, insomnia, hypertension and cognitive decline. Similar experiences, such as the one conducted in Misurina (BL), have also shown improvements in children and teenagers with asthma.
Towards recognition in the NHS
The researchers, including Federica zabini e Francesco Menguzzohave highlighted the importance of recognizing forest therapy as a practice of preventive and complementary medicine within the national health system. This requires the definition of unified standards and the creation of a national network of qualified forestry stations.
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