Dhofar’s verdant nature refreshes visitors’ spirits

MUSCAT: Salalah, especially during Khareef season, is a joyous destination. The greenery is charming to the eyes, but there could be more to it.

The Environment Authority highlighted Dhofar as a vibrant green lung. And this is why: over 4,500 km of plains and mountains are transformed into a green carpet.

According to the Environment Authority, "Each square metre of vegetation produces approximately 130 grammes of oxygen daily." This translates to the production of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of oxygen during the season, enhancing life and biodiversity.

But could it also be a feel-good factor visitors to Salalah experience? Visitors to Salalah prefer to stay outdoors as much as possible. The residents also see a shift in lifestyle every Khareef season. Traditionally, people enjoyed living in tents during the season. "We found it to be rainy in the plains, and the mountains were cool," said a visitor to Salalah.

Shafeer V K has been to Salalah many times, but this was the first trip for his family, and they chose to go by road. "By the time we reached Thamrait, we could see the weather difference. In four days, we visited many historical and archaeological sites and natural wonders. The breathtaking experience was Wadi Darbat. We were immersed in nature and enjoyed watching birds. Another pleasant surprise for the family was the coconut street. The coconut groves depict the uniqueness of Dhofar."

So can all this greenery be beneficial for health? In Japan, forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is very popular. It is a Japanese mindfulness practice from the 1980s that involves quietly immersing your senses in a natural environment. It is not about hiking but a slow, intentional way to absorb the forest atmosphere. Phones have to be on silent mode, and one has to walk at a slow pace, inhaling phytoncides released by the trees. According to the experts, this increases immunity, and the whole process helps in reducing the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. But you should practice it for at least 20 minutes.

Dr Hamed al Sinawi, Senior Psychiatrist, explained, "The time of Khareef in Salalah provides the perfect chance for a form of therapy known by psychologists as nature therapy." This term refers to the practice of spending time in natural environments to improve mental, emotional, and physical health. According to research, nature therapy helps lower stress hormones, reduce blood pressure, and boost mood by engaging our senses in the greenery and the waterfalls.

He pointed out that regardless of one's age or physical abilities, the Khareef provides different activities ranging from hiking to sitting by the wadis or gathering with friends and family in the open spaces away from digital screens.