2019 study in Frontiers in Psychology<\/u><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n Cynthia Wan, a certified forest therapy guide, says: \u201cWhen you go to a spa, you pay for it. The forest is a free mental health \u2018clinic\u2019 and it\u2019s all around us.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As a forest therapy guide, she facilitates immersive experiences in green spaces including the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Labrador Park and Pulau Ubin, helping people connect more deeply with nature through guided sensory activities.<\/p>\n
\u201cForests are abundant in negative ions, which help us to improve our mood and reduce our stress as well. There\u2019s just a sense of calm when you\u2019re in nature.\u201d<\/p>\n
But these restorative experiences are not limited to forests. \u201cWe are lucky to have parks and gardens and reservoirs and coastal areas, especially where the beaches are, for people to pause, recharge and reconnect with ourselves,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\nWalking trails through Sentosa reveal a different side of the island, where nature, history and wildlife come together.<\/p>\n
PHOTO: SENTOSA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
An outdoor enthusiast since she was a child, Wan says that time in nature does not need to be reserved for occasional holidays or retreats.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just need to find a rustic place and be present in the moment. This could be as simple as noticing the texture of a leaf or sitting quietly by the sound of water,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy watching a leaf fall or listening to the cicada or birds in the background, it allows our prefrontal cortex, which is the part of our brain responsible for overthinking, to rest. It\u2019s like a balm for our brains. That\u2019s all it takes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Your island, reimagined<\/h2>\n It is this idea that wellness should be woven into your travels, weekends and everyday life that sits at the heart of how Sentosa is planning its future.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Long known as Singapore\u2019s island playground, Sentosa has, in fact, been serving another role for years: an island sanctuary. Sunrise walks along its beaches, quiet hours spent under the canopy of its nature trails and still moments by the sea have always been part of the island\u2019s appeal.<\/p>\n\n\nThe island\u2019s coastal spaces give families an easy way to spend time by the sea and enjoy nature close to home.<\/p>\n
PHOTO: SENTOSA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Sentosa\u2019s next chapter is designed to strengthen it. The Greater Sentosa Master Plan, unveiled in July, will transform Sentosa and Brani into a more connected destination where nature, leisure, business and lifestyle experiences exist side by side.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thien Kwee Eng, chief executive officer of Sentosa Development Corporation says:\u00a0\u201cWhat we\u2019re doing with the Greater Sentosa Master Plan is growing the island without losing its soul and building on\u00a0what makes Sentosa special.\u201d<\/p>\n
That means expanded green spaces, better-connected trails, reimagined beaches, new nature-based attractions, and development that is designed with people and sustainability at its core.<\/p>\n\n\nTanjong Rimau\u2019s coastal views and rocky shores reveal Sentosa\u2019s quieter
PHOTO: SENTOSA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\u201cWith more green spaces, nature trails and reimagined beaches, the Greater Sentosa Master Plan creates more spaces where people can simply slow down just minutes away from a global city. Whether that\u2019s a quiet walk along the beach or time spent among nature, we are fulfilling that need for guests to reset and reconnect,\u201d adds Thien.<\/p>\n
In the future, it will be even easier for visitors to get closer to nature, whether they have a full day or an hour to spare. The revamped Sentosa will offer a quick escape amid greenery without the need to travel overseas.<\/p>\n
For those who have spent years associating Sentosa with rides, resorts and a fun day out, the Greater Sentosa Master Plan offers a fuller picture of an island that can just as easily be a place to slow down, breathe and find respite in your surroundings.<\/p>\n\n\nPalawan Beach is one of several spots where visitors can enjoy the sea at a slower pace, whether strolling along the shore or simply taking in the view.<\/p>\n
PHOTO: SENTOSA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n