City Forest Healing

[Anchor Lead]

These days, there are a lot of peaceful forested spaces nestled in urban communities, which offer a natural getaway from the city. Many city dwellers enjoy taking a brief escape from their everyday lives in these small city forests, which also serve as a great playground for children to learn about and experience nature.

[Pkg]

Groups of people walk through a forest on a sunny morning. With their eyes closed, they listen to the chirping sounds of insects hiding in the grass.

[Soundbite] "Relax any tension in your neck and release the heavy burden on your shoulders."

They also relax and stretch their bodies, which are strained by everyday life, to the fullest.

[Soundbite] Jeon Ji-sun(nyang, Gyeonggi-do Prov. Resident) : "Good sounds, good air....I really enjoyed walking in nature."

A stream appears during their walk through the forest. A pair of gray-haired brothers in their 60s seem to return to their childhood in no time as they soak their feet in cold water. This is a forest healing program in which participants take an escape from their busy everyday lives to walk, relax and meditate. More than 7,000 people, including pregnant women, menopausal women and elderly people, have participated in the program for two years. Forests serve as an unusual playground for children on a rainy day. They touch the raindrops and are amazed to find wild fruits and nuts. For children, carefully touching a cicada shell is also a precious opportunity to learn about nature.

[Soundbite] Oh Yoon-ae(Forest Guide for Children) : "Children can boost their creativity and sensitivity while seeing, touching and feeling firsthand."

Forests are becoming part of people's daily lives as a space for individuals to heal and learn through a brief escape from the bustles and hustles of city life.