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Hallerbos Bluebell Bloom Draws Global Visitors Seeking Mental Respite

As spring floral tourism flourishes, experts highlight mindful engagement with nature to combat modern stressors.

Two women ride horses in a path full of bluebells, also known as wild hyacinth, in the Hallerbos forest, south of Brussels, Belgium, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
Bluebells, also known as wild hyacinth, bloom among the trees in the Hallerbos forest, south of Brussels, Belgium, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
A man walks his dog on a path surrounded by Bluebells, also known as wild hyacinth, in the Hallerbos forest, south of Brussels, Belgium, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
A woman walks on a path with Bluebells, also known as wild hyacinth, in the Hallerbos forest, south of Brussels, Belgium, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Overview

  • The annual bluebell bloom in Belgium's Hallerbos forest attracts visitors worldwide, offering tranquility and mental health benefits.
  • Experts emphasize the importance of mindful, device-free nature experiences to maximize restorative effects on attention and mood.
  • Younger generations, particularly those under 30, are turning to nature as they face heightened anxiety from post-pandemic challenges and global uncertainties.
  • The Hallerbos reopening follows pandemic-era closures, reflecting a broader resurgence of floral tourism at sites like Japan's cherry blossoms and the Netherlands' Keukenhof tulips.
  • Visitors like retiree Philippe Thiry find solace in disconnecting from technology, focusing solely on the sights and sounds of nature.