DIY – EcoTherapy

Hyvinkää is a city known for its pure nature, safety and healthy pine-scented air. It is only half an hour drive from the Helsinki airport and it is surrounded by forests. Here you can find everything you need for a memorable visit; cozy hotels, restaurants, shops and activities are all within your reach, not to mention our fantastic nature.

DIY Ecotherapy is a DO IT YOURSELF PROGRAM you can experience in Hyvinkää forest areas.

A new and growing group of psychologists believe that many of our modern-day mental problems, including depression, stress and anxiety, can be traced in part to society’s increasing alienation from nature. We suggest that you take this opportunity to have a brake and slow down to reconnect with nature in Sveitsi Nature Park. We will offer you self-guide to do this by hiking in the forest by following the marked paths and trying some easy exercises.

“Eco-therapists point out that human beings have evolved in synchrony with nature for millions of years and that we are hard-wired to interact with our environment — with the air, water, plants, other animals. But in the past two centuries, beginning with the Industrial Revolution, people have been steadily removed from the natural world, our lives regulated not by the sun or moon but instead by the factory clock. Recently it’s gotten worse, with the rise of the Internet and other technologies, like iPhones and BlackBerrys, that dominate our lives, pushing us even further from any appreciation of our natural surroundings.” (http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1912687,00.html)

All you need to do is to take train to Hyvinkää from either Helsinki-Vantaa Airport or Helsinki Central Railway station. Your train journey will take about 50 minutes and it will cost you roughly 10€ one way. From Hyvinkää railway station you will take bus number X, which will take you to Sveitsi Nature Park. The ride will cost you 2,50€ and takes about 10 minutes.

Health Benefits From Forests

  • Boosts immune system
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Reduces stress
  • Improves mood
  • Increases ability to focus
  • Accelerates recovery from surgery or illness
  • Increases energy level
  • Improves sleep

 

Travel Time: Around the year

Duration: As long as you wish

Price: You will pay all your cost incurring on this tour including your train and bus tickets

Including:

This tour can also be tailor-made for a group, you can ask for staying few nights in the hotel, additional summer or winter activities and English-speaking nature guides. We will also organize transportations and will help you with any other requests. Please contact us toimisto@uudenmaanseuramatkat.fi

PROGRAM

  1. Depart from Helsinki Airport by train. Take train from the airport to Hyvinkää. Notice that the train needs to be changed in Tikkurila. The train single adult ticket costs 7,70 eur in 2018. See VR (train)timetable.
  2. Arrive in Hyvinkää railway station. Take the bus line number 8 Rautatieasema to Sveitsi Nature Park. Pay the driver in cash. Single adult ticket in 2018 costs 2,80 eur.
  3. Arrival in Sveitsi Nature Park Hotel Sveitsi. Address: Härkävehmaankatu 4, 05900 Hyvinkää, Finland
  4. Have lunch in hotel restaurant if you are hungry.
  5. Start your DIY Ecotherapy session by making sure you have a map of the area and you know how to read it. Ask from the hotel reception if you are unsure.
  6. Walk in the forest neighboring the hotel. Follow the instructions of the step by step guide BELOW.
  7. After your exercise, walk back to the hotel where you can take the bus back to the railway station and the train back to the airport again via Tikkurila.
  8. Have a safe journey back home! We hope that you enjoyed and come back again soon.

TAKE THESE EASY STEPS:

  1. Choose a spot in the forest that pleases you. You should feel comfortable and safe in that spot.
  2. Get a comfortable position. You can stand or sit down on the ground.
  3. Calm yourself down and relax, pay attention to your thoughts. Breathe in deep for few times and focus on your body. Focus on different parts and muscles in your body and release the tension one by one.

After this, pay attention to your mind and thoughts. Notice them, but leave them be.

  1. Just be within

Notice the thoughts and let them be. Do not force them to go away. Accept their presence, but do not go along with them. Tell them: “I notice you, but I will not focus on you. Soon you are gone.”

Let the thoughts go pass you without paying attention to them and focus on your breathing.

Listen to the voices of the forest. Can you hear a bird sing? Or the wind blowing?

Focus on how many different scents can you smell. Open your senses to the voices and scents.

Choose a tree you like. Touch it and smell it. Put your arms around it and lean against it. Try to feel the tree.

Can you see ants? Stop to look at them. Just stay still for few minutes and look how they go about their routines.

Try to find a scenery you particularly like in the forest? Think why you like it. Why does looking at the scenery make you feel comfortable or relaxed or just somehow good?

Remember your scenery or sight. You can use it later in life in times you feel anxious.

  1. Finishing your retreat

When you feel that you have gained a good feeling, start coming back to reality. Notice where you are, stretch yourself and have a deep breath.

You can now continue your day calm and peaceful with a refreshed mind…

I hope you enjoyed!

TO BE NOTED:

  • The tour is DIY, which means you will do it yourself when you wish
  • The tour does not include personal travel insurance. We recommend personal travel insurance for all who are travelling.
  • The tour operator reserves the right to alter the schedule and the itinerary if necessary. Especially the changes in opening times of the activity parks are beyond our control.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND MATERIALS

  • Maps and brochures can be requested from our office

We can recommend Hyvinkää to someone who is looking to find a new and fresh, safe and natural holiday destination.

Hyvinkää is a wonderful destination for stop-over visits. It is easy to pay a quick visit from the Helsinki airport as the travel time is only half an hour!

Ask us for information regarding hotels, guides and activities.

ENJOY YOUR JOURNEY!