Post-Pandemic Nature Fix - Lugares para se reconectar com a Natureza 1 - 25
Precisamos de uma lufada de ar fresco para sair de um longo confinamento e reconectar-nos com a natureza mais uma vez. Uma pausa de todos os ecrãs e das rotinas do dia a dia em lugares selvagens o suficiente para pôr os músculos das nossas pernas a trabalhar novamente.
Felizmente, Lisboa é possivelmente a capital mais bem localizada do mundo e está rodeada de natureza. Sintra Treks aliou-se ao aclamado fotógrafo Andy Mumford e à psicóloga clínica Sofia Correia Alegria para produzir um ‘Post-Pandemic Nature Fix’, que inclui 50 locais fora do vulgar, todos a cerca de uma hora de carro do centro de Lisboa.
O mês de Março marca um ano desde que Portugal se viu confrontado com o COVID-19 e a consequente ideia de confinamento obrigatório para todos nós. Privação tornou-se palavra de ordem. E, aos poucos, a necessidade de superar sensações avassaladoras como a falta de liberdade, o isolamento e o medo atroz de contágio, para muitos pouco ou nada conhecidas. Tornou-se premente encontrar novas estratégias, reinventar “dentro das possibilidades”. E, nisso, a natureza assumiu e assume um papel de extrema importância.
Recordo-me de, em Março passado, receber a Primavera da minha varanda - habitualmente ruidosa e poluída - e achar fascinante a tranquilidade que então encontrava num espaço que se tinha transformado em arrumos com o passar dos anos. De repente, Lisboa tinha pássaros por toda a parte e o ar era respirável. Só que não durou muito, e logo aquela varanda voltou a estar virada para uma avenida (demasiado) movimentada. E não fui a única a voltar-me para a natureza, nessa altura. Muitos foram aqueles que encontraram conforto nos passeios higiénicos, ou até mesmo a mudarem-se para zonas rurais e mais verdes. Há qualquer coisa de poético em viver a liberdade pelas raízes de uma árvore e saber que, assim, estamos ligados por muito mais do que o tamanho de um (a)braço.
Mais do que ser poético, o contacto com a natureza é, de facto, necessário. E surgiu muitas vezes como “receita“ entre clientes e amigos pois são inúmeras as vantagens da afiliação do homem com a natureza (1, 2 e 3). Desde logo, é essencial como ferramenta de reparação dos processos emocionais e cognitivos. Ou seja, se por um lado ajuda a desenvolver os estados emocionais ditos positivos - como a força mental, o entusiasmo, o optimismo - por outro, permite o aumento da atenção e da capacidade de foco (1). Ora, vivemos tempos em que temos poucos estímulos diferenciandos. Mais, estamos cansados, fartos mesmos, da rotina gasta e isso pode motivar queixas de atenção e memória. Estar em contacto com a natureza pode ajudar a restaurar essas capacidades.
Também as queixas de stress e ansiedade têm sido cada vez mais frequentes. No geral, as pessoas estão cansadas, irritadas, zangadas até, e é inevitável que tal não se manifeste no contacto com os outros. Devemos aceitar essas emoções, respeitá-las e escutá-las acima de tudo. Então aí poderemos pensar em respostas fisiológicas e psicológicas diferentes para esses mesmos estímulos stressores e, assim, sentir maior controlo (2).
Pelo contacto com a natureza (urbana ou até digital, mas sobretudo selvagem (1)), podemos treinar as capacidades cognitivas como o aumento do foco no presente, da atenção e memória, mas também desenvolver conscientemente respostas de diminuição de stress e controlo de impulsos mais eficazes (2). Ainda, pensa-se que é tão importante sentir pertença a um grupo social, quanto alimentar o contacto com a natureza (2), o que facilmente nos surge como uma alternativa (cientificamente) válida para substituir a falta de contacto social imperativa nos dias de hoje.
Podemos, então, facilmente compreender que o contacto com a natureza ajuda a melhorar as funções cognitivas e a saúde mental das pessoas em geral e particularmente das crianças e jovens que estão ainda a desenvolver-se neurologicamente (3). Podemos e devemos encarar estes tempos como uma oportunidade para promover mais actividades ao ar livre sempre que possível - tanto para nós adultos como também, e sobretudo, para as nossas crianças.
Sofia Correia Alegria
É hora de sair e se divertir em alguns locais inspiradores. Tudo perto de Lisboa!
. Granja dos Serrões and Parque da Segueteira
Photo: AndyMumfordphotography
The standing stones found within the parish of Pêro Pinheiro are unlike anything else in the region and well worth a visit - these weirdly sculptured rocks look otherworldly. Segueteira Park in the village of Maceira contains two of the most interesting examples, one of which is known locally as the ‘Elephant rock’ due to its trunk-like structure. The rocks are just above an ancient spring, which is steeped in local folklore.
2. Arriba Fóssil da Costa da Caprica
Photo: AndyMumfordphotography
This protected coastline between the popular seaside resort of Fonte da Telha and the Albufeira Lagoon is one of the most interesting in Europe. Popular with walkers and birdwatchers, all along the coast are rocks and formations of stunning beauty showing how the sea has progressively pulled back over millions of years, producing such magnificent coastal scenery. The cliffs here are among the most important examples of sedimentary rock strata in Western Europe and as have been a protected area since 1984. These fossil cliffs are evidence of the former coastline and around 10 million years ago the sea reached the very top of the cliffs, which have been progressively eroded over time.
3. Boca da Inferno, Cascais
Portugal is blessed with many stunning sea caves, particularly in the Algarve: although most are difficult to access, often requiring a boat. Boca do Inferno is different as it is a short walk from Cascais marina. When the swells are big and the tide is high, massive waves crash into the cave and surrounding cliffs, causing jets of water to shoot up in spectacular style, which is a truly impressive sight.
4. Praia da Samarra, Serra de Sintra
Photo: AndyMumfordphotography
Praia da Samarra is a stunningly beautiful beach that has everything nature lovers would want. It is an unusually narrow beach that faces northwest, with cliffs on both sides offering shelter from the prevailing winds. The beach has a stream (Ribeira da Samarra), which is at its deepest by the mill and then flows into the sea, enhancing the beach’s natural beauty. Praia da Samarra is rich in fauna and flora and has been popular since pre-history, with evidence of a human presence for over 4000 years.
5. Ponte Romana, Rio Lizandro
Following the well-trodden trail beside the Lizandro river, leads walkers through the untouched beauty of the wild valley, and plenty of spots for picnics and adventure. The highlight of this walk is the so-called Ponte Romana that is the ideal place to stop and take it all in. For those who want to make this trip into more of an adventure, then the waterfall - Cascata de Armés is a 25-minute walk but well worth the effort. Following the river north from the Ponte Romana will take you to the village of Cheleiros with its impressive ancient bridge.
6. Lapa da Santa. Margarida,Serra da Arrábida
Photo: AndyMumfordphotography
Close to the golden sands of Portinho da Arrábida a short walk down some steps will take you to a mysterious hidden cavern containing a tiny chapel and some remarkable rock formations. There’s a very special atmosphere in the cavern which was used as a natural shelter well over 30,000 years ago by early human communities, possibly even by Neanderthals, at a time when the sea lay 60 metres below the present level. The cave, which has access to the sea, has witnessed human activity ever since.
7. Lagoas de Sintra
Starting at Convento dos Capuchos there is a 5.5km linear walk which offers some of the best trails in the whole of Serra de Sintra. You enter a forested trail from which connects two of Sintra’s best-known attractions - the Convento and the Palácio de Monserrate. The trail leads to a number of small lakes. The first of which is the picture-perfect Lagoa dos Mosqueiros. Going down the hill will take you via more lakes. On the way. look out for the wooden sculptures hidden in the woods.
8. Espaço Interpretativo da Lagoa Pequena
Freshwater streams flow into the lagoon, creating three basins that have a maximum depth of 15 meters. The tidal conditions in combination with the constant flow of freshwater make it ideal for migratory birds. The lagoon, in fact, is a National Ecological Reserve and is popular with bird-watchers. There are wooden walkways that take you to some of the best spots to observe the birds.
9. N379-1, Serra da Arrábida
The stunning scenery along the N379-1 makes it one of the most beautiful roads in Portugal. It’s probably because of its breath-taking beauty that it was selected as a backdrop to scenes in the James Bond film, 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'. It is also one of the most fascinating natural regions in Portugal with a clear Mediterranean influence: it features a micro-climate and unique habitat for rare wild flowers, ferns and wildlife.
10. Cascata de Fervença
Sadly, one of the most beautiful and photographed places in the region is still used as a rubbish dump! It's not difficult to work out who the perpetrators are!!! After the rains, Fervença is truly spectacular and is well worth a visit. Hopefully, this waterfall will get the same attention Anços received and become a place for families to unwind and see the full force of nature.
11. Praia das Avencas, Cascais
Photo: AndyMumfordphotography
Praia da Avencas is a truly remarkable beach that offers visitors a glimpse of what this coastline must have looked like before the Marginal was built. It is a sandy beach that immediately becomes reef-like at the water's edge. Caution is advised when swimming here as the rocks can be jagged and sea urchins are very common. Protective aqua shoes are a must when venturing into the sea. Recently, a tidal pool has been rebuilt offering safer conditions for swimming. It’s at low tide when Avencas shows us why it’s so special, as the biodiversity here is quite incredible and unlike anything else on this coast.
12. Rio Lizandro
Did you know that it possible to hike from the source (Igreja Nova) to the mouth of Rio Lizandro (Foz do Lizandro)? It will take the best part of two days though!!! Fortunately. the river provides many beautiful short walks along its banks. A cliff walk starting at Serra da Sintra’s most northern beach (Praia de São Julião) to the southern banks of the mouth of the river has the best views of the river and is one of our favourite cliff trails.
13. Monte Rodel, Serra de Sintra
Serra de Sintra has a number of granite boulder fields that can be climbed but none are as impressive as Monte Rodel. With spectacular 360° views of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, this is a place to spend some quiet time and reflect. This particular boulder field has a very special energy that has drawn people here since prehistoric times. Not a place for those with vertigo! A fixed rope is attached for those who want to go to the very top. It is located in between Convento dos Capuchos and Palácio de Monserrate.
14. Praia do Magoito, Serra de Sintra
Photo: AndyMumfordphotography
Praia da Magoito is a large beach so it’s easy to find a space all to yourself, especially walking south away from the entrance to the beach. Another stretch of sand can be found after passing the rocks in the middle of the beach. The waters here have some of the highest iodine levels in the whole of Europe making a swim or paddle here even more beneficial, especially for your immune system. There are also a number of marked hiking trails from the beach, one of which follows the stream through the valley and is highly recommended.
15. Parque das Merendas e Vila Sassetti, Sintra
Photo: AndyMumfordphotography
By avoiding Sintra's ever increasing traffic, the Sasseti trail allows you to walk in peace and gives you a sense of travelling back in time to one of the most beautiful sites in Portugal. Follow the narrow lanes to a Parque das Merendas.At the entrance to the park, there is a gate signalling the start of the signposted Sasseti trail, which weaves through the beautiful gardens towards the recently restored Sasseti Villa. A steep climb takes you up to a shaded hilltop, passing some huge granite boulders, eventually leading to Sintra's main tourist attractions, the Moorish Castle and Pena Palace.