Home Luxury Travel Forest therapy in Langkawi, Malaysia

Forest therapy in Langkawi, Malaysia

by Guest Post & Amelia Curran

The Datai’s resident naturalist, Irshad Mobarak, shares his thoughts on the benefits of nature. A tradition of Mandi Embun runs through Malay culture; this describes a walk through forests to soak up the atmosphere and unwind. The luxurious rainforest resort The Datai is the perfect place to try it out for yourself; indulge in some low-tech relaxation and marvel in the magnificence of the surrounding thousand-year-old rainforest. 

English author, broadcaster, environmental campaigner and botanist David Bellamy tours the rainforest in and around The Datai Resort in Langkawi, Malaysia. The tour was led by The Datai's resident naturalist Irshad Mobarak on January 22nd, 2015. Photo by Justin Mott/Mott Visuals

Do you remember the feeling you had after a leisurely walk in a forest or days spent in a natural setting while taking a dip in a cool creek? Felt like you’d been de-stressed or re-energised by the experience and had one of your most restful nights in months?

For centuries, the Malays have been practicing what is called Mandi Embun or ‘bathing in the forest dew ’. This entails an early morning leisurely walk into the jungle to immerse oneself in its natural ‘atmosphere’. Recent scientific studies strongly suggest that these anecdotal feelings are well founded.

The Datai Langkawi, Malaysia Images by Mott Visuals. Hotel and Resort photography and films by Mott Visuals. www.mottvisuals.com Photographer | Justin Mott

Research from Japan show measurable health benefits from spending time in the forest. Evidence indicates that time in nature reduces stress levels and elevates mood. It aids your ability to remember things across your day and it increases cognitive capacity by clearing the mind of distractions. It enhances creativity, improves your attention and that’s not all.

Further research also shows that exposure to a forest boosts our immune system. Plants emit airborne chemicals called phytoncides to protect themselves from insects and other diseases. Phytoncides have antibacterial and anti fungal qualities and when our bodies breathe in these chemicals, it responds by increasing the number and activity of a type of of white blood cells called natural killer cells or NK cells. These are critical to your immune system and help you keep illnesses at bay.


Read our top 10 Malaysia experiences »


 

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The Datai is set amongst an ancient rainforest, its entire atmosphere is a natural setting for ‘Forest Therapy’. All 5 senses of sight, smell, touch, sound and taste are experienced by just being within its surroundings.

On your next holiday come and enjoy  the many benefits of being in our rainforest and when you’ll leave for home, you leave feeling truly refreshed, energised, and as the doctor ordered: de-stressed!


For more information about The Datai, from travel experts who’ve been there themselves, do call 020 3432 4736 or email us with your questions here. To see how visiting this luxurious resort could fit in with a wider holiday to Malaysia, have a look at our example holiday itineraries. Do note they’re just a starting point, our holidays are tailor-made so we can tweak all elements to suit your exact needs. 


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