Come Heal at Iljasan Healing Forest~~~

Gangdong-gu Offers Free Forest Healing Program Until November, Open to All Adults Seeking Natural Forest Environment for Mental and Physical Health Improvement

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Recently, interest in forest experiences as healing spaces to relieve chronic stress of modern people and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been increasing.

In response, Gangdong-gu (District Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon) will operate a forest healing program with a forest healing instructor on the healing forest trail established in Iljasan starting in April.

Gangdong-gu utilized the dense forest of the nearby urban forest Iljasan and created a healing forest trail in 2017. Here, people walk along a roughly 500m section of the trail, enjoying the fresh greenery with their eyes.

They can also enjoy the forest healing program by sensing the scent of trees transmitted through the nose with their five senses, meditating, and enhancing mental health and the body's immunity.

The program consists of regular programs and customized special programs for various groups such as seniors, housewives, chronic patients, and people with disabilities. The regular program, "Forest that Gives Thanks," offers a forest healing experience including stress relief through five-sense activities, tea drinking, and meditation.

Special programs include ▲ "Forest that Gives Rest," a menopause overcoming program ▲ "Forest that Gives Courage," a friendship and workplace harmony program ▲ "Forest that Gives Joy," a prevention program for metabolic syndrome ▲ and "Forest of Love," for families with disabled persons and special children.

The forest healing programs operated this year run regularly from Tuesday to Saturday from April to November, and participation is free. Anyone, whether individuals or groups, who wish to experience forest healing can participate by applying through the Seoul Metropolitan Government public service reservation site.

A district official said, "We hope many residents will show interest and participate in the forest healing program, which is an opportunity to restore vitality by healing the body and mind tired from daily stress and diseases on the easily accessible urban forest healing trail of Iljasan."

For more detailed information about the forest healing program, you can inquire at the Green City Division of Gangdong-gu Office.