Enjoy the silence in Osttirol

Silence is in short supply these days. Every day is strictly timed and constant noise is barely noticeable. More than half of European city dwellers are exposed to a noise level of 55 decibels, which exceeds the recommended level of the World Health Organization (WHO). This was the conclusion of a study by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Chronic noise can trigger illnesses and impair cognitive abilities. Silence, on the other hand, promotes inner peace and creativity. Just as the sounds of nature are relaxing. Scientists have long underestimated this effect and now recommend regularly pausing in nature to listen to the natural silence. However, this is not so easy because silence is rare.

The mountains are booming and many Alpine regions are suffering from overtourism. In Osttirol, mass tourism is a foreign concept. Natural silence is not an exception, but omnipresent. If you want to listen to it, retreat to the solitude where wild animals grow up in their natural environment. Early risers can experience a superlative chirping bird concert in the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern - pure relaxation! But the sound of rushing water also has a calming effect. Long-distance hikers get more than enough of this on the new, 74-kilometer-long Iseltrail. In addition, the many hours in the fresh air, the physical exertion and the conscious reduction to the essentials promote lasting relaxation and have a positive effect on health. Speaking of the sound of water - if you breathe in the spray of the Umbal Falls intensively while hiking long distances, you are also doing something good for your body. The tiny waterfall aerosols cleanse the lungs and strengthen the immune system.