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Did you know
Fuel your wellbeing with a weekend in Kippen
Towering mountains in the distance, lively
burns, happy farms, and incredible views
nurtured my soul a few weeks ago while
visiting my in-law family in beautiful Kippen.
The weekend was off to the best start with
blue skies (rare, I know!), and a truly pleasant
walk along Arngomery. It was so nice to see
so many healthy sheep and lambs, calmly
pasturing around, during the entire walk.
It is funny to think that this was my first time
to be so close to a lamb (typical city girl!). We
even met a couple of Highland cows, with
their straggly coats and sweeping horns.
They seemed to be daydreaming to me – at least I hope they were.
The view was superb: nature 100%. After a busy week at work, the lush scenery made the
clock stop for me.
The village of Kippen has something
magical. It might be the enviable views
over some of Scotland’s finest scenery,
or the sense of community you feel when
stepping into any of their local pubs. Or it
might also be the warmth of their whisky,
who knows.
What I would certainly say is that we can
formally inaugurate the term “Kippen
bathing,” as a wellbeing weapon and as
an antidote for stress. While I sit now in
32 www.theweevine.org
And while walking along the forests, looking at the
animals, I was thinking how true it is what they say
about the importance of connecting with nature to
boost our wellbeing. And how easy it was to do so
in Kippen. The walks, the warmness of the people
and the fresh air calmed me down in an energetic
kind of way. It made me feel effervescent with new
ideas for the week.
So, I could not help but wonder about the power
of being in contact with nature. Science has
demonstrated how much it improves our immune
system. Not only that, it also increases our ability
to innovate and help us make better decisions. The
Japanese call this shinrin-yoku, which means “taking
in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing.”
Mindfully walking in the woods helps breaking the
sometimes-endless mental trap. I felt this way in
Kippen.