Admittedly, this was the title of my diploma project. As a graduate of the Graphics Department in Vienna, you choose your topic at the end of your degree, which you research and then prepare graphically. Dealing with the topic and the different consequences it has on our health gave me a lot of food for thought about how we live and act as a society. Namely, not stress-free at all. I would therefore like to take you by the hand a little to move from ‘stress to stress less’. Has stress become less since then? Has it become less for anyone since their school days? From kindergarten to the end of school, the hours of free time you have each day have steadily decreased and the hours you need to relax have increased.
Do we not rush from one appointment (whether private or professional) to another? The digital world is moving faster and faster, developing like weeds spreading. Between the endlessly long to-do lists we have, we squeeze in further training so that we don't fall behind. Completely exhausted by the tasks and worries about the future, we come home only to rush into our private appointments so as not to miss anything. Of course, it's just a myth that we meditate every day, write in our diaries, do sport, bake our own bread, and grow our own vegetables. After all, we want to appear totally balanced to those around us and on social media instead of being totally overwhelmed with all the things we have to fit into 24 hours. It makes us long for a holiday.
But what do we long for when we think of holidays? We long for a balance to this everyday life. This fast-paced everyday life that often takes our breath away. And above all we long for one thing: regeneration.
Regeneration restores our own relationship with ourselves, with our living space, and with our social environment. Regeneration means regaining spent energy and thus restoring performance. Regeneration is the process of recovery after stress. If we neglect it, we increase the likelihood of falling ill. That is why we, the Wagrain-Kleinarl Tourist Board, in close co-operation with the Paracelsus Medical University, have set out to find what we have all been missing for some time in our beautiful Wagrain-Kleinarl region:
True regeneration and recovery. We have discovered hidden treasures that have been proven to promote health and reduce symptoms of illness. In everyday life, we have the opportunity to slow down a little and give the body the rest it needs to stay in balance in the long term. We present two of them to you today. ‘More about the importance of regeneration’.
All you have to do is touch nature with your skin (e.g. grass, earth, gravel, stones, sand, water, snow, etc.). The effect is noticeable after just a few seconds, the full effect unfolds after 20 minutes. After this time, all blood corpuscles have passed the grounding point (point of contact with nature). Direct contact with the earth & nature strengthens your own resilience. This includes improved sleep, stress reduction, inflammation reduction, strengthening of the immune system and reduction of anxiety and depression. Especially recommended: Barefoot trail to the summit of the Hochgründeck (the easiest way to get there is by e-bike). The alternating thermal stimulus stimulates the nerve endings on the sole of the foot. This natural acupressure promotes blood circulation in the limbs. This is particularly beneficial for diabetics.
Whilst on a walk, just stop, close your eyes and actively listen to the sounds around you and enjoy a soul massage. There are several opportunities to listen to the sounds on the path through the forest along the Tree Nature Trail or up to the Tappenkarsee lake. As with Earthing, nature plays a major role here. While the murmur of a river or the sounds of the forest have a particularly strong effect, the hustle and bustle of the city can also contribute to regeneration. The brain waves (32 Hertz, alpha waves = meditation) synchronise amid the noise, and this leads to physiological relaxation. This has a positive effect on our emotional well-being.
Over the past few months, we have focussed on regeneration and looked for places in our Wagrain-Kleinarl region that have been proven to help your physical and mental regeneration. We have put these together into several zones. Equipped with a booklet for each zone, you will have the opportunity to discover and experience these zones with us from spring 2025. The exercises contained in the booklet will help you to optimally support your body during regeneration.
Personally (and I can see it in my colleagues too), I can't go to the Jägersee lake often enough and let my mind wander. The soundscape and the incredibly beautiful nature that can be observed are captivating and so far away from the to-do lists and worries of everyday life.
photo credits: 1000 things-Michelle Doninger, Robert Schabus, Unsplash