Nature therapy in Malalcahuello
What is nature therapy?
The terminology “nature therapy” is relatively new. It is used to describe interventions designed to benefit health but based on nature. Typically activities are led by therapists or health professionals but it also refers to activities undertaken by individuals for their own wellbeing that doesn´t involve a therapist.
You may have seen other terminology which has a similar meaning, such as: green therapy, Shinrin-yoku (Japanese) or forest bathing.There are seemingly endless ways of practising nature therapy, for example, a focus on contact with farm animals, artistic activities in a natural setting or with a nature focus, gardening, meditation in nature, star gazing at night, wilderness survival activities etc.
Nature therapy is based on the idea that humans have a connection with nature and that our physical and mental health is benefited when we foster that connection. In a revision of the scientific literature, of almost one thousand studies, 98% demonstrated that there was a significant improvement in mental health with interaction with nature. Physical health also showed a significant improvement with contact with nature, showing an 83% improvement (J Glob Health. 2022; 12: 04099).
Nature therapy in Malalcahuello
Malalcahuello is the perfect place to have contact with nature. Although at the time of writing there are no specifically nature therapy trained professionals, there are many local mountain guides. The guides can help you have immerse in nature safely. They have experience in the local topography and conditions, hence take some of the potential danger out of outdoor activities when not experienced. Some of the activities undertaken by local guides include snow shoe walks, back country skiing, trekking and mountain climbing.
Some places in Malalcahuello have infrastructure and activities that combine with nature therapy. For example, the three thermal baths in or close to Malalcahuello that are all based in a natural or a park setting. There are also cabins and lodges/hostels surrounded by trees or with views of forest covered mountains. Some of these conduct walks or other nature based activities.
One mountain chalet complex has dedicated 120 hectares to natural heritage, where you can enjoy forest bathing or more strenuous walks and backcountry skiing .They have self-guided or guided options.
Malalcahuello is surrounded by national parks and public nature reserves where one can enjoy nature and leave the stress of the city behind. The closest reserve is Reserva Nacional Malalcahuello, where Volcano Lonquimay can be found. Others a little further away from Malalcahuello include national parks Tolhuaca and Conguillío.
There are rivers and lakes near Malalcahuello where one can rest or meditate with the soothing sound and sights of the moving water. Walking along the road alongside the local river is very interesting and one can always hope to catch a glimpse of local birds, maybe even the endangered Cortacorriente duck.
Therapy involving contact with animals has been linked to improvement in mental health such as depression as well as cardiovascular health. Farm animal visits are possible in Malalcahuello. There are two main ones, the first is horseriding and other horse contact activities (as well as a few Llamas) at Suizandina lodge. The second one is Chile Wild – Las Vertientes de Malalcahuello, where they have friendly milk goats and chickens https://www.chilewild.com/activities/#1495639744570-4e133e6b-25e4
There are no end of options for removing the stress of the city out of your body in Malalcahuello and surrounding areas.