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Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness
The definitive guide to the therapeutic Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or the art and science of how trees can promote health and happiness
Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is the Japanese secret to health and happiness, and it's right in your own backyard. As a society we suffer from nature deficit disorder. But studies have shown that backing away from your computer screen and stepping outside to spend mindful, intentional time in nature can reduce your stress levels and blood pressure, strengthen your immune and cardiovascular systems, and boost your energy, mood, creativity, and concentration. It can even help you live longer: the phytoncides, or chemical compounds, produced by trees can help your body produce more of the white blood cells that fight cancer.
Forest bathing is more than just a walk in the woods. Unlike hiking, there is no particular destination and no physical exertion required; it is an exercise for the mind, not the body. By observing how a tree sways in the wind, running your hand over its bark, or noticing the particular citrusy scent of a forest, you will learn how to lose yourself in the beauty of your surroundings, leave everyday stress behind you, and reach a place of greater calm and wellness. Illustrated with more than 100 color photographs, this beautiful guide to forest bathing will introduce you to the healing power of trees.
Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is the Japanese secret to health and happiness, and it's right in your own backyard. As a society we suffer from nature deficit disorder. But studies have shown that backing away from your computer screen and stepping outside to spend mindful, intentional time in nature can reduce your stress levels and blood pressure, strengthen your immune and cardiovascular systems, and boost your energy, mood, creativity, and concentration. It can even help you live longer: the phytoncides, or chemical compounds, produced by trees can help your body produce more of the white blood cells that fight cancer.
Forest bathing is more than just a walk in the woods. Unlike hiking, there is no particular destination and no physical exertion required; it is an exercise for the mind, not the body. By observing how a tree sways in the wind, running your hand over its bark, or noticing the particular citrusy scent of a forest, you will learn how to lose yourself in the beauty of your surroundings, leave everyday stress behind you, and reach a place of greater calm and wellness. Illustrated with more than 100 color photographs, this beautiful guide to forest bathing will introduce you to the healing power of trees.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2018
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April 15, 2018
Six months ago I moved full-time to London after years of living in the English countryside. I had lived very near a large woodland, and walking in it was part of my weekly - and seasonal - routine. Snowdrops, then crocuses, daffodils, then drifts of bluebells represented the spring; the summer was a canopy of green, cool even in the hottest weather; and autumn was glorious with burnished colour. Even in winter, because of the high concentration of conifers, the woodland had a dark green density to it. I was aware that those woodland walks were beneficial to me - not just in terms of my physical health, but also mental and emotional - but in some sense it was also something I took for granted.
I am fortunate to live, now in London, very near Hampstead Heath - because despite the many large parks in London, the Heath is one of the few places in that sprawling metropolis where a person can actually find ‘nature’ of a wilder, less cultivated kind. During the autumn, I found myself taking long walks - rambles, really, where I would quite deliberately ‘lose’ myself - and the beauty of the landscape was a kind of ecstasy that was a very dramatic counterpoint to the depression that I often felt after ending my long marriage and living alone for the first time in 25 years. At some point during this time, I first heard the Japanese term ‘Shinrin-Yoku’ (or Forest-Bathing) and it made complete sense to me. I realised that I had been going to the forest, sinking into it, in much the same way I might seek relief in a hot bath after a long, aching day.
Dr. Qing Li, the author of this Penguin Life edition, has written a very accessible explanation of what exactly Forest-Bathing is, and why it is an important way of combating stress in the modern world. The author has spent much of his academic career substantiating what most people intuitively know, and have always known: that being in nature does us good. There is a lot of science in it, but it is always expressed in the clearest and simplest of terms. One of the interesting bits of research that Dr. Li shares is that there is plentiful scientific evidence suggesting that looking at trees or water - even through a window, or in a photograph - has some of the same calming effects (on the nervous system) that actually being in a forest or near water does. My point is that even reading this book is a very calming experience. There is a large, easy-to-read text, photographs on nearly every page, and a very simple prose style. “We are reassured by green on a very primitive level,” says Dr. Ling, and unsurprisingly, there is a lot of green to look at in this grown-up picture book. At times, I felt that I was reading a meditation, either of ‘new age’ or ‘ancient’ style (depending on how you look at it. “Drink in the flavour of the forest and release your sense of joy and calm. This is your sixth sense, a state of mind.”
One of the most delightful aspects of the book, for me, was Dr. Ling’s descriptions of Japanese culture and landscape. Although it is well-known that trees are necessary for the beauty and health of our world, the Japanese revere nature (and specifically trees) in a particular way. My daughter is visiting Japan this summer, and she was fascinated by this book and almost fighting me to read it.
Although much of the book focuses on the Japanese culture of Forest Bathing, going into some detail about specific forests where you can take part in Shinrin-Yoku programmes, the author is also at some pains to bring the rest of the world into it. The last third of the book is mostly devoted to ways in which cities can improve the living/breathing quality of life for its citizens, or how individuals can bring the benefits of the forest into their home and office. Offshoots of Shinrin-Yoku, one might say. I was already convinced of the benefits of Forest Bathing, but it was very interesting to learn more about why I feel these benefits. I shall be breathing deeply of phytoncides from now on. I might even walk barefoot on the floor of the forest this summer.
Thanks very much to Penguin Life for an Advance Copy of this book.
I am fortunate to live, now in London, very near Hampstead Heath - because despite the many large parks in London, the Heath is one of the few places in that sprawling metropolis where a person can actually find ‘nature’ of a wilder, less cultivated kind. During the autumn, I found myself taking long walks - rambles, really, where I would quite deliberately ‘lose’ myself - and the beauty of the landscape was a kind of ecstasy that was a very dramatic counterpoint to the depression that I often felt after ending my long marriage and living alone for the first time in 25 years. At some point during this time, I first heard the Japanese term ‘Shinrin-Yoku’ (or Forest-Bathing) and it made complete sense to me. I realised that I had been going to the forest, sinking into it, in much the same way I might seek relief in a hot bath after a long, aching day.
Dr. Qing Li, the author of this Penguin Life edition, has written a very accessible explanation of what exactly Forest-Bathing is, and why it is an important way of combating stress in the modern world. The author has spent much of his academic career substantiating what most people intuitively know, and have always known: that being in nature does us good. There is a lot of science in it, but it is always expressed in the clearest and simplest of terms. One of the interesting bits of research that Dr. Li shares is that there is plentiful scientific evidence suggesting that looking at trees or water - even through a window, or in a photograph - has some of the same calming effects (on the nervous system) that actually being in a forest or near water does. My point is that even reading this book is a very calming experience. There is a large, easy-to-read text, photographs on nearly every page, and a very simple prose style. “We are reassured by green on a very primitive level,” says Dr. Ling, and unsurprisingly, there is a lot of green to look at in this grown-up picture book. At times, I felt that I was reading a meditation, either of ‘new age’ or ‘ancient’ style (depending on how you look at it. “Drink in the flavour of the forest and release your sense of joy and calm. This is your sixth sense, a state of mind.”
One of the most delightful aspects of the book, for me, was Dr. Ling’s descriptions of Japanese culture and landscape. Although it is well-known that trees are necessary for the beauty and health of our world, the Japanese revere nature (and specifically trees) in a particular way. My daughter is visiting Japan this summer, and she was fascinated by this book and almost fighting me to read it.
Although much of the book focuses on the Japanese culture of Forest Bathing, going into some detail about specific forests where you can take part in Shinrin-Yoku programmes, the author is also at some pains to bring the rest of the world into it. The last third of the book is mostly devoted to ways in which cities can improve the living/breathing quality of life for its citizens, or how individuals can bring the benefits of the forest into their home and office. Offshoots of Shinrin-Yoku, one might say. I was already convinced of the benefits of Forest Bathing, but it was very interesting to learn more about why I feel these benefits. I shall be breathing deeply of phytoncides from now on. I might even walk barefoot on the floor of the forest this summer.
Thanks very much to Penguin Life for an Advance Copy of this book.
May 28, 2020
"Shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere, or taking in the forest through our senses. This is not exercise, or hiking, or jogging. It is simply being in nature, connecting with it through our sense of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch." pg 12
Nature lovers or those aspiring to be nature lovers will find much to enjoy in Shinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing.
Qing Li reminds readers that the human race is a part of this world even if we have walled ourselves up in cities and covered the ground in concrete. Through various scientific studies, he proves again and again that by taking a time out and forest bathing people can sleep more deeply, experience less stress and think more clearly.
"We may not travel very far on our forest walk but, in connecting us with nature, shinrin-yoku takes us all the way home to our true selves." pg 15
Not convinced? He provides evidence that patients at hospitals heal faster if the view outside their window includes a tree rather than a wall. People who exercise outside report the exertion they need to complete the workout is less and they enjoy the time more than those who churn out the miles on a treadmill.
"The average sleep time of participants after a two-hour forest walk increased by 15 percent, or fifty-four minutes. Participants were significantly less anxious after a two-hour walk in the forest."
Forest bathers have reported higher levels of creativity, writers find relief from the dreaded block, and the sense of connection caused by the practice has been known to increase feelings of gratitude.
"The researchers concluded that there 'is a real, measurable cognitive advantage to be realized if we spend time truly immersed in a natural setting', and found that spending time in nature can boost problem-solving ability and creativity by 50 per cent. Is it any wonder that Buddha found enlightenment sitting under a tree?" pg 106
Is there anything that forest bathing doesn't help? How about your health or physical age?
"A group of Canadian, American and Australian researchers studying tree density and health in Toronto found that... having eleven more trees on a block lowered cardio-metabolic illnesses, like high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, comparable to the effects on well-being conferred by being given a $20,000 a year pay rise or being 1.4 years younger." pg 116
In addition to the information about forest bathing, this book contains beautiful photos of forests every couple of pages. Qing Li gives readers the instructions so, if they desired, they could hold their own traditional tea ceremony in the woods. He includes anecdotal information about aromatherapy, tips on how to bring the forest into your home, advice on how to incorporate beneficial natural sounds into your daily life and more.
I enjoyed this book very much. Highly recommended.
Nature lovers or those aspiring to be nature lovers will find much to enjoy in Shinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing.
Qing Li reminds readers that the human race is a part of this world even if we have walled ourselves up in cities and covered the ground in concrete. Through various scientific studies, he proves again and again that by taking a time out and forest bathing people can sleep more deeply, experience less stress and think more clearly.
"We may not travel very far on our forest walk but, in connecting us with nature, shinrin-yoku takes us all the way home to our true selves." pg 15
Not convinced? He provides evidence that patients at hospitals heal faster if the view outside their window includes a tree rather than a wall. People who exercise outside report the exertion they need to complete the workout is less and they enjoy the time more than those who churn out the miles on a treadmill.
"The average sleep time of participants after a two-hour forest walk increased by 15 percent, or fifty-four minutes. Participants were significantly less anxious after a two-hour walk in the forest."
Forest bathers have reported higher levels of creativity, writers find relief from the dreaded block, and the sense of connection caused by the practice has been known to increase feelings of gratitude.
"The researchers concluded that there 'is a real, measurable cognitive advantage to be realized if we spend time truly immersed in a natural setting', and found that spending time in nature can boost problem-solving ability and creativity by 50 per cent. Is it any wonder that Buddha found enlightenment sitting under a tree?" pg 106
Is there anything that forest bathing doesn't help? How about your health or physical age?
"A group of Canadian, American and Australian researchers studying tree density and health in Toronto found that... having eleven more trees on a block lowered cardio-metabolic illnesses, like high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, comparable to the effects on well-being conferred by being given a $20,000 a year pay rise or being 1.4 years younger." pg 116
In addition to the information about forest bathing, this book contains beautiful photos of forests every couple of pages. Qing Li gives readers the instructions so, if they desired, they could hold their own traditional tea ceremony in the woods. He includes anecdotal information about aromatherapy, tips on how to bring the forest into your home, advice on how to incorporate beneficial natural sounds into your daily life and more.
I enjoyed this book very much. Highly recommended.
October 13, 2018
What is forest-bathing? It's time spent in forests/parks, walking, sitting, eating, practicing tea ceremony etc. for the good of your physical/mental health, appreciating nature's beauty. The author is an expert on this subject; there are many, many pictures of the forests here, so you can probably use *them* also to get some experience.
This book talks about forests especially in Japan, but one can easily apply this form of nature-enjoyment, and the tips within, to other places around the world (some non-Japanese parks are shown in the map at the end). Even a small amount of time there works, though the author recommends longer times for a bigger effect.
In Japan, forest-bathing (since 1982) is quite popular. There is a religious and folkloric connection to it, and further things like using scents, having onsen-baths near them, having centres dedicated to forest-bathing information in certain places, and so on.
The author talks about various ways the forest/park helps us through our senses: smell (using scents through oil, incense, the wood material), taste (making tea or food out of certain plants), touch (touching trees, walking barefoot), hearing (nature sounds), sight (forest view speeding healing, the colors, the fractal patterns).
There's also talk about how to use it inside (houseplants, scenting, medicinally), and at work (putting up pictures, a view out of the window, having plants, going out briefly to a park during breaks). And finally there's talk about the future of forests and parks, how important they are for us. How cities plan their trees and nature-places, and how children benefit from being near trees. Finally we have a mood-test for measuring how our moods change when we go walking in the forest/park, and a list of further reading (mostly internet addresses).
Forests and parks are important to our well-being, physically and mentally. The more we go and enjoy them, the more benefits we get. This should give us motivation to support having them.
This books is worth owning just for the pictures alone, but the information and opinions within makes it more than a good picture book, and is quite uplifting.
This book talks about forests especially in Japan, but one can easily apply this form of nature-enjoyment, and the tips within, to other places around the world (some non-Japanese parks are shown in the map at the end). Even a small amount of time there works, though the author recommends longer times for a bigger effect.
In Japan, forest-bathing (since 1982) is quite popular. There is a religious and folkloric connection to it, and further things like using scents, having onsen-baths near them, having centres dedicated to forest-bathing information in certain places, and so on.
The author talks about various ways the forest/park helps us through our senses: smell (using scents through oil, incense, the wood material), taste (making tea or food out of certain plants), touch (touching trees, walking barefoot), hearing (nature sounds), sight (forest view speeding healing, the colors, the fractal patterns).
There's also talk about how to use it inside (houseplants, scenting, medicinally), and at work (putting up pictures, a view out of the window, having plants, going out briefly to a park during breaks). And finally there's talk about the future of forests and parks, how important they are for us. How cities plan their trees and nature-places, and how children benefit from being near trees. Finally we have a mood-test for measuring how our moods change when we go walking in the forest/park, and a list of further reading (mostly internet addresses).
Forests and parks are important to our well-being, physically and mentally. The more we go and enjoy them, the more benefits we get. This should give us motivation to support having them.
This books is worth owning just for the pictures alone, but the information and opinions within makes it more than a good picture book, and is quite uplifting.
February 11, 2019
My review of this book could be summed up in one hyphenated word: Life-changing.
Shinrin-yoku is the practise of taking time out of our technologically overloaded and overstimulated lives and allowing the power of nature's presence to consume and calm us. The benefits of doing so can impact every area of our lives and this book delivers startling figures and scientific discoveries that prove just how. The prosaic writing style was enough to convince me, but this book also delivers written testimonies, a multitude of studies to back the initial hypotheses, and a string of data to convert the most analytically-minded or disbelieving of readers.
Asides from guiding the reader to a life lived closer to nature's pacifying presence, this book is also a helpful instructional guide on scents and their specific effect on the body, species of tree and the aid they can give to humans, essential oils and their properties, and a whole host of other interesting information that had me note jotting throughout my reading of this.
As one who was already in the process of allowing nature to creep its way in to my everyday life, this book was preaching to the converted. I can, however, not foresee any individual being immune to the breath-taking imagery and the lush prose that helped to demonstrate the power of forest-bathing. Dr Qing Li has expertly made the process of reading feel like a an act of nature, itself. Turning every page filled me with joy as I anticipated the sublime photography of dappled sunlight on falling leaves or written depictions of some of Japan's most breath-taking natural spaces that were to greet me.
The joy of this book is not to be found solely in chronology. This is one I read from cover-to-cover, over the course of less than a week, but I have since found myself already flicking to pages at random, eager to get my fix of its awe-inspiring beauty. It has already affected my life so much, with its infusion of the natural, and has guided me to a life more fulfilled as I continue to venture out of doors.
Shinrin-yoku is the practise of taking time out of our technologically overloaded and overstimulated lives and allowing the power of nature's presence to consume and calm us. The benefits of doing so can impact every area of our lives and this book delivers startling figures and scientific discoveries that prove just how. The prosaic writing style was enough to convince me, but this book also delivers written testimonies, a multitude of studies to back the initial hypotheses, and a string of data to convert the most analytically-minded or disbelieving of readers.
Asides from guiding the reader to a life lived closer to nature's pacifying presence, this book is also a helpful instructional guide on scents and their specific effect on the body, species of tree and the aid they can give to humans, essential oils and their properties, and a whole host of other interesting information that had me note jotting throughout my reading of this.
As one who was already in the process of allowing nature to creep its way in to my everyday life, this book was preaching to the converted. I can, however, not foresee any individual being immune to the breath-taking imagery and the lush prose that helped to demonstrate the power of forest-bathing. Dr Qing Li has expertly made the process of reading feel like a an act of nature, itself. Turning every page filled me with joy as I anticipated the sublime photography of dappled sunlight on falling leaves or written depictions of some of Japan's most breath-taking natural spaces that were to greet me.
The joy of this book is not to be found solely in chronology. This is one I read from cover-to-cover, over the course of less than a week, but I have since found myself already flicking to pages at random, eager to get my fix of its awe-inspiring beauty. It has already affected my life so much, with its infusion of the natural, and has guided me to a life more fulfilled as I continue to venture out of doors.
April 21, 2020
Of course it helped that this book started with a premise I agreed with. I was nodding along for a really long time and so happy that the author was able to give real life scientific examples to support what he was saying.
Then...the pseudoscience happened. So much pseudo-science. Now I did find the actual research based bits about essential oils kind of interesting, but it went on for way too long and some of what he was saying was pseudo-science or simply anecdotal. Then there was the positive and negative ions from earth bit. Yeah, I want to see your research on that bud.
Then, despite the fact that this is supposed to be for an international audience there were way too many examples of how this is done in Japan, and way too much acting like we the readers could just go to Japan and see for ourselves. Why not, instead talk about how different countries might set up their own nature bathing areas, such as Japan has?
I also love trees and greenery, don't get me wrong, but I would have found it interesting for him to address the connection to nature that people have up in the tundra above the tree line and also in desert areas. Having lived in Qatar I can say that they people there have a history with and connection to the desert. Is their connection any less because, for the most part, no trees are present? I mean I couldn't connect to the desert the same way as the locals, but these are questions I had having lived there.
So honestly at the end of the day this book was too pseudo-science, to incomplete and not global enough for a global audience. *sigh* C'est la vie, but I was hoping to love this one more!
Then...the pseudoscience happened. So much pseudo-science. Now I did find the actual research based bits about essential oils kind of interesting, but it went on for way too long and some of what he was saying was pseudo-science or simply anecdotal. Then there was the positive and negative ions from earth bit. Yeah, I want to see your research on that bud.
Then, despite the fact that this is supposed to be for an international audience there were way too many examples of how this is done in Japan, and way too much acting like we the readers could just go to Japan and see for ourselves. Why not, instead talk about how different countries might set up their own nature bathing areas, such as Japan has?
I also love trees and greenery, don't get me wrong, but I would have found it interesting for him to address the connection to nature that people have up in the tundra above the tree line and also in desert areas. Having lived in Qatar I can say that they people there have a history with and connection to the desert. Is their connection any less because, for the most part, no trees are present? I mean I couldn't connect to the desert the same way as the locals, but these are questions I had having lived there.
So honestly at the end of the day this book was too pseudo-science, to incomplete and not global enough for a global audience. *sigh* C'est la vie, but I was hoping to love this one more!
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May 30, 2018How sad and ironic that a book about the benefits of trees should waste so much paper, where the text on each page uses only 1/4-1/3 of the space and also used a large font. I found it too anecdotal and not very linear in its topic. Pretty pictures of forests though.
May 31, 2023
I liked the way this book sounds because I spend a lot of time in nature and aspire to spend much more time in the future. But the author talks about things like aromatherapy for healing which I am skeptical of, sounds too much like a Facebook mommy blogger ideal, although I’m willing to look more into it.
He also said kids with ADHD appear to be miraculously cured by walking in nature, this I’m not sure about. Many of the good intentioned doctors ideas seem simplistic and unscientific…
I do agree it’s good to be out in nature for all for mental and physical reasons. But this good doctor talks almost as if it’s a cure-all in this relatively newish book (2018) where pseudoscience is such a hot button issue with health nowadays.
He also said kids with ADHD appear to be miraculously cured by walking in nature, this I’m not sure about. Many of the good intentioned doctors ideas seem simplistic and unscientific…
I do agree it’s good to be out in nature for all for mental and physical reasons. But this good doctor talks almost as if it’s a cure-all in this relatively newish book (2018) where pseudoscience is such a hot button issue with health nowadays.
May 4, 2022
Tai buvo viena laukiamiausiu mano knygu, svarsciau ar pirkti ar sulaukti bibliotekoje. Kazkaip sulaukiau, atsiverciau ir pradejau skaityti. Knyga per daug isliaupsinta, tiesiog surinkti pavirstutiniski tyrimu faktai ir parasyti kuo paprasciau. Iliustracijos kurios anot kitu skaiciusiuju nepakartojamos visiskai nesuzavejo, nes tamsios kaip ir pats virselis. Kaina perkant neadekvati turiniui, pacia knyga galejo leisti tikrai ant pigesnio popieriaus ir viskas isliktu tas pats, nebent siuo atveju noreta suteikti kazkokios prabangos, kurios siuo atveju neizvelgiu apart to, kad knyga storesne nei iprasta, o skaityti teksto ne per daugiausia, nepaisant viso to knyga patiko.
September 5, 2019
I was torn between 3 & 4 stars, but I enjoyed this book and some of the science included to back up what is clearly an evangelical subject to the author. Some of the writing is a little naive, but Dr. Li does make me want to get out into the natural world. I took a walk in the nearby orchard instead of a coffee break today!
July 19, 2022
Šioks toks paradoksas, jog knygoje nemažai kalbama apie miškų išsaugojimo svarbą, tačiau leidykla į tai visai neatsižvelgusi išspausdino ją pustuštę. Niekada nemačiau knygos su tiek tuščių lapų ir, nevyniokim į vatą, tikrai prastom fotografijom. Tas faktas, kad pusė spalvotų, pusė ne irgi įdomus. Bet gal čia tik man. O DAR KOREKTŪROS KLAIDOS... Vis svarsčiau, ar redaktorė bent skaitė šitą knygą prieš priduodant spausdinti.
Jei apie turinį, tai nepasakyčiau, kad daug naujo sužinojau, tačiau buvo keletas gana įdomių ir naudingų faktų. Kaip bebūtų gaila, didžiąją laiko dalį neapleido jausmas, kad pilstoma iš tuščio į kiaurą.
Knygos tematika turėjo daug potencialo, tačiau yra kaip yra.
Jei apie turinį, tai nepasakyčiau, kad daug naujo sužinojau, tačiau buvo keletas gana įdomių ir naudingų faktų. Kaip bebūtų gaila, didžiąją laiko dalį neapleido jausmas, kad pilstoma iš tuščio į kiaurą.
Knygos tematika turėjo daug potencialo, tačiau yra kaip yra.
October 23, 2023
This is a very accessible little guide to why spending time in nature is good for your health. In particular, “forest bathing” (shinrin-yoku) blends those benefits – such as breathing cleaner air laced with phytochemicals from the trees and soil – with the calming effects of meditation/mindfulness.
Reading this as a scientist, I could have hoped for somewhat clearer references; the list in the back includes title and year but not journal name. But I didn’t spot anything that was just obviously false. I did have to puzzle a bit over the statement that succulents and orchids release oxygen at night – because the oxygen-producing reactions always run during the day, even in plants like these with CAM photosynthesis that do their carbon fixing at night. But they do keep their leaf pores closed during the day, so it is conceivable that the oxygen is only released when they open them at night. Not that it should matter, since no one’s house should be so air-tight that they would be at risk of low oxygen just because they don’t have enough house plants!
And I’m not going to argue with the basic premise, because as I’ve been fighting burnout this year I’ve become very aware of how important both fieldwork and just regular walks and gardening are for maintaining my energy and ability to focus!
The book gets a little repetitive in places – there are only so many ways to say “trees are good for you”, and obviously tips that work in a house can also be applied to a workplace. But it is a nice calming read with lots of beautiful pictures that bring a bit of nature inside even if you can’t apply the advice immediately!
I was kind of waiting for the book to bring up inequality of access to green space – but then it occurred to me that this might not be as big an issue in Japan as in the US. Like Switzerland, where I lived for 2 years, Japan is a compact country with a good public transit system that facilitates cheap access to gardens and parks. Both also have a tradition of valuing nature-based activities like hiking (in Switzerland) or seasonal things like cherry-blossom viewing. Though, in Japan, this seems to be fighting with a toxic corporate culture that has led to the creation of a single word for “death from over-work” (karoshi). So while getting to a forest if you have time is fairly simple, making that time may not be (even or possibly especially for white-collar workers!). Still, the stats shared on differences in levels of anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular and respiratory disease in neighborhoods with and without urban trees does put some urgency behind efforts like those of the Trust for Public Land (https://www.tpl.org/) – which aims to both preserve public wild areas and make sure that the 100 million Americans who don’t have a park within a 10 minute walk get one. I definitely want to check out some of the tree mapping and planting efforts cited from around the world!
Speaking of words:
- For that greeny-gold dappled light that comes through leaves: komorebi
- For the shrub with the orange cross-shaped flowers that smell like orange tictacs taste that I discovered in the Duke Gardens years ago: kinmokusei
- A reminder, not a new discovery, but for the smell of rocks and soil after rain: petrichor
- And learning that katakuri (the name of a ‘One Piece’ character) is a type of edible wild lily bulb…meaning that he also has a food-themed name, like the rest of his family!
Reading this as a scientist, I could have hoped for somewhat clearer references; the list in the back includes title and year but not journal name. But I didn’t spot anything that was just obviously false. I did have to puzzle a bit over the statement that succulents and orchids release oxygen at night – because the oxygen-producing reactions always run during the day, even in plants like these with CAM photosynthesis that do their carbon fixing at night. But they do keep their leaf pores closed during the day, so it is conceivable that the oxygen is only released when they open them at night. Not that it should matter, since no one’s house should be so air-tight that they would be at risk of low oxygen just because they don’t have enough house plants!
And I’m not going to argue with the basic premise, because as I’ve been fighting burnout this year I’ve become very aware of how important both fieldwork and just regular walks and gardening are for maintaining my energy and ability to focus!
The book gets a little repetitive in places – there are only so many ways to say “trees are good for you”, and obviously tips that work in a house can also be applied to a workplace. But it is a nice calming read with lots of beautiful pictures that bring a bit of nature inside even if you can’t apply the advice immediately!
I was kind of waiting for the book to bring up inequality of access to green space – but then it occurred to me that this might not be as big an issue in Japan as in the US. Like Switzerland, where I lived for 2 years, Japan is a compact country with a good public transit system that facilitates cheap access to gardens and parks. Both also have a tradition of valuing nature-based activities like hiking (in Switzerland) or seasonal things like cherry-blossom viewing. Though, in Japan, this seems to be fighting with a toxic corporate culture that has led to the creation of a single word for “death from over-work” (karoshi). So while getting to a forest if you have time is fairly simple, making that time may not be (even or possibly especially for white-collar workers!). Still, the stats shared on differences in levels of anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular and respiratory disease in neighborhoods with and without urban trees does put some urgency behind efforts like those of the Trust for Public Land (https://www.tpl.org/) – which aims to both preserve public wild areas and make sure that the 100 million Americans who don’t have a park within a 10 minute walk get one. I definitely want to check out some of the tree mapping and planting efforts cited from around the world!
Speaking of words:
- For that greeny-gold dappled light that comes through leaves: komorebi
- For the shrub with the orange cross-shaped flowers that smell like orange tictacs taste that I discovered in the Duke Gardens years ago: kinmokusei
- A reminder, not a new discovery, but for the smell of rocks and soil after rain: petrichor
- And learning that katakuri (the name of a ‘One Piece’ character) is a type of edible wild lily bulb…meaning that he also has a food-themed name, like the rest of his family!
May 6, 2024
Daviau 2.5* ir abejoju ar nepervertinau. Širdį suminkštino atidarantis teiginys - miškai žmogui į gerą.
Toliau atskleisiu visą knygos esmę:
autoriaus atliktas tyrimas patvirtina prieš tai buvusį teiginį. Kadangi tyrimo hipotezė iš esmės yra taip/ne principo, tai jam aprašyti pakaktų pranešimo. Na bet turime knygą…
Knygą, kuri labai primena mokyklos lygio referatą, kai pagooglini ir įmeti naršyklės viršuje rastų, kitų atliktų, tyrimų atpasakojimų. Perpasakoji taip laisvu stiliumi, be jokios analizės, klajodamas tarp regionų, temų ir be jokio reziumė to ką aprašei. Na bet visi buvom mokykloj, žinom, kad tušti lapai būtų dar prasčiau. O kai jau pirmą Google puslapį nurašei ir dar kažkaip atrodo tuštoka, tai įkali penkių lapų eterinių aliejų aprašymą vietoj elementarios lentelės, dar papasakoji apie tau asmeniškai mėgstamiausius miškus, kuriuose esi buvęs, nes jums tikrai reikia žinoti kuris Kinijos miškas jam patiko labiausiai…
Tai čia buvo mažiausiai keista, nes knyga lyg ir iš akademiko ateina, bet dar ir liūsesiukas vėliau aplankė, supratus, kad beveik paslėpta reklama gaunasi. Pasirodo, dabar jau tik prastuomenė eina į mišką patys, jei norite tikros patirties, tai miškas būtinai turi būti sertifikuotas, geriausia jei jus lydi intstruktorius, o jau tikrasis sveikatinimas įvyks jei išragausite regionui būdingą virtuvę ir t.t. Taigi, retreat’as su meditacijos praktikomis miške dabar jau yra naujas PRODUKTAS - miško maudynės. Ir ten viskas iki absurdo aprašinėjama, pvz kad miškas gali būti su vandens telkinių ar be. SHOCKER.
Jei bus antra dalis, tikėtina, kad pardavinės orą, nes kvėpuoti jums į naudą, bet nekvėpuok kaip koks varguolis - nemokamai, palauk naujo produktuto su gražia etikete.
Toliau atskleisiu visą knygos esmę:
autoriaus atliktas tyrimas patvirtina prieš tai buvusį teiginį. Kadangi tyrimo hipotezė iš esmės yra taip/ne principo, tai jam aprašyti pakaktų pranešimo. Na bet turime knygą…
Knygą, kuri labai primena mokyklos lygio referatą, kai pagooglini ir įmeti naršyklės viršuje rastų, kitų atliktų, tyrimų atpasakojimų. Perpasakoji taip laisvu stiliumi, be jokios analizės, klajodamas tarp regionų, temų ir be jokio reziumė to ką aprašei. Na bet visi buvom mokykloj, žinom, kad tušti lapai būtų dar prasčiau. O kai jau pirmą Google puslapį nurašei ir dar kažkaip atrodo tuštoka, tai įkali penkių lapų eterinių aliejų aprašymą vietoj elementarios lentelės, dar papasakoji apie tau asmeniškai mėgstamiausius miškus, kuriuose esi buvęs, nes jums tikrai reikia žinoti kuris Kinijos miškas jam patiko labiausiai…
Tai čia buvo mažiausiai keista, nes knyga lyg ir iš akademiko ateina, bet dar ir liūsesiukas vėliau aplankė, supratus, kad beveik paslėpta reklama gaunasi. Pasirodo, dabar jau tik prastuomenė eina į mišką patys, jei norite tikros patirties, tai miškas būtinai turi būti sertifikuotas, geriausia jei jus lydi intstruktorius, o jau tikrasis sveikatinimas įvyks jei išragausite regionui būdingą virtuvę ir t.t. Taigi, retreat’as su meditacijos praktikomis miške dabar jau yra naujas PRODUKTAS - miško maudynės. Ir ten viskas iki absurdo aprašinėjama, pvz kad miškas gali būti su vandens telkinių ar be. SHOCKER.
Jei bus antra dalis, tikėtina, kad pardavinės orą, nes kvėpuoti jums į naudą, bet nekvėpuok kaip koks varguolis - nemokamai, palauk naujo produktuto su gražia etikete.
December 13, 2018
I grew up in a forest. I got married in a forest. I live in a house surrounded by trees.
I'm a tree person.
How lovely, then, to read this book that shares all the many benefits of trees on our lives.
Note: this is a library book, but I'd now like to get a copy of my own so that I can think more carefully about trees.
I'm a tree person.
How lovely, then, to read this book that shares all the many benefits of trees on our lives.
Note: this is a library book, but I'd now like to get a copy of my own so that I can think more carefully about trees.
July 14, 2018
As someone who lives in a large city, I have to make a conscious effort to get out into nature a few times each week, so it was interesting to read about the whole forest bathing movement in Japan. I am a bit skeptical of some of the health claims, but otherwise a good an relaxing read.
May 4, 2022
Mane taip nurovė šita knyga, kad aš jau keletą dienų gyvenu tokiom sektantiškom nuotaikom
July 6, 2018
Aunque es cortito y aunque no tiene que convencerme de nada, vale la pena leerlo. Es como un resumen orientado a Japón de todas las cosas que un bosque puede hacer por uno y por su paz mental. Afortunadamente vivo cerca de algunos de los bosques más prístinos y apabullantes del planeta y escaparme a ellos siempre ha tenido un gran poder para dejarme tranquilo. Cuando puedan escaparse al bosque háganlo
January 17, 2019
Úzkost, deprese, vztek, únava, zmatek... symptomy dnešní doby. Existuje spousta literatury, jež nás učí, jak se s těmito neduhy poprat. Pokud bych však měla doporučit jednu jedinou knihu, která vám v boji s nimi pomůže, byla by to tato.
Jde o nádherný svazek, a to nejen svým obsahem, ale i obrazovým vyhotovením. Jeho hlavní myšlenka je přitom velmi jednoduchá: vraťme se do přírody a užívejme si čas v ní všemi smysly. Šinrin-Joku má v mé knihovně své pevné místo.
Jde o nádherný svazek, a to nejen svým obsahem, ale i obrazovým vyhotovením. Jeho hlavní myšlenka je přitom velmi jednoduchá: vraťme se do přírody a užívejme si čas v ní všemi smysly. Šinrin-Joku má v mé knihovně své pevné místo.
January 24, 2019
A book about a hobby.
I enjoyed learning about the practice of forest bathing or Shinrin-Yoku. The different between hiking and forest bathing is hiking sets out with a purpose or destination, where as forest bathing has no end point in mind. Instead it encourages the utilization of your five senses to be present in the moment to heal your body and mind. This book gave me the tools to be able to go into the forests’ of Colorado and practice Shinrin-Yoku.
I enjoyed learning about the practice of forest bathing or Shinrin-Yoku. The different between hiking and forest bathing is hiking sets out with a purpose or destination, where as forest bathing has no end point in mind. Instead it encourages the utilization of your five senses to be present in the moment to heal your body and mind. This book gave me the tools to be able to go into the forests’ of Colorado and practice Shinrin-Yoku.
April 6, 2024
Klausiau audio, tai nepajutau fizinės knygos grožio, nes šiaip pasirodė labai graži knyga, kai varčiau.
https://knyguziurkes.com/2024/04/06/m...
https://knyguziurkes.com/2024/04/06/m...
Shelved as 'part-read'
September 20, 2018За пречистване на въздуха вкъщи: хризантема, гербер, азалия.
May 4, 2022
Artima širdžiai tema.
Kadangi nuostabus miškas auga kitapus gatvės namų, tai aprašomi dalykai dar labiau moksliškai patvirtina kodėl po kasdienio pasivaikščiojimo grįžtu linksmesnė ir ramesnė:)) Pasirodo, dėl visko kalti tie fitoncitai :D
O šiaip patiko kelios gražios mintys:
Viena jų- apie pagarbų susižavėjimą, kurį labai stipriai patyriau kadais besisvečiuodama kalnų namelyje Lenkijoje, prie Morskie Oko ežero. "Nobelio premijos laureatas, psichologas dr. Dacheris Keltneris apibūdina pagarbų susižavėjimą kaip jausmą, kad šalia yra kažkas didinga, viršijančio žmogaus mastus, tai, kas peržengia dabartinio mūsų supratimo ribas. Kai jaučiame pagarbų susižavėjimą žvelgdami į gamtą, pradedame mąstyti apie dalykus, kurie yra susiję ne tik su mumis. Pagarbaus susižavėjimo pojūtis priverčia mus sulėtinti tempą ir nustoti jaudintis. Jis paverčia neigiamas emocijas teigiamais jausmais. Jis leidžia mums stabtelti ir suteikia džiaugsmo."
Taip pat nustebino, jog japonų kalba turi daug onomatopėjinių žodžių nusakyti gamtos garsams:
- shito shito: nesmarkaus lietaus šnarėjimas
- za-za: stipraus lietaus barbenimas
- kasa kasa: švelnus lapų čiuženimas po kojomis
- gasa gasa: garsus vėjyje linguojančių šakų čežėjimas
- hyu-hyu: pučiančio vėjo garsas
- goro-goro: griaustinio dundenimas
- saku saku: sniego girgždėjimas po kojomis
Ačiū Editai už puikią dovaną!
Kadangi nuostabus miškas auga kitapus gatvės namų, tai aprašomi dalykai dar labiau moksliškai patvirtina kodėl po kasdienio pasivaikščiojimo grįžtu linksmesnė ir ramesnė:)) Pasirodo, dėl visko kalti tie fitoncitai :D
O šiaip patiko kelios gražios mintys:
Viena jų- apie pagarbų susižavėjimą, kurį labai stipriai patyriau kadais besisvečiuodama kalnų namelyje Lenkijoje, prie Morskie Oko ežero. "Nobelio premijos laureatas, psichologas dr. Dacheris Keltneris apibūdina pagarbų susižavėjimą kaip jausmą, kad šalia yra kažkas didinga, viršijančio žmogaus mastus, tai, kas peržengia dabartinio mūsų supratimo ribas. Kai jaučiame pagarbų susižavėjimą žvelgdami į gamtą, pradedame mąstyti apie dalykus, kurie yra susiję ne tik su mumis. Pagarbaus susižavėjimo pojūtis priverčia mus sulėtinti tempą ir nustoti jaudintis. Jis paverčia neigiamas emocijas teigiamais jausmais. Jis leidžia mums stabtelti ir suteikia džiaugsmo."
Taip pat nustebino, jog japonų kalba turi daug onomatopėjinių žodžių nusakyti gamtos garsams:
- shito shito: nesmarkaus lietaus šnarėjimas
- za-za: stipraus lietaus barbenimas
- kasa kasa: švelnus lapų čiuženimas po kojomis
- gasa gasa: garsus vėjyje linguojančių šakų čežėjimas
- hyu-hyu: pučiančio vėjo garsas
- goro-goro: griaustinio dundenimas
- saku saku: sniego girgždėjimas po kojomis
Ačiū Editai už puikią dovaną!
Read
December 19, 2018I am excited to see science supporting the practice of shinrin-yoku (森林浴). I have always headed out to the woods to recharge and reset (and rest) and now I better understand why. In _Forest Bathing_, Li has written a helpful guide for those curious about how to practice and why. Included are the results (and general process) of multiple scientific studies. These investigated the effects forest bathing had on stress, sleep, mood, the immune system, and more.
This book offers practical advice for those beginning the practice of forest bathing. It also includes ideas on ways to extend the benefits indoors. The explanations of shinrin-yoku are straightforward, without jargon or buzzwords. You learn how the forest can help you reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, reduce depression, improve sleep, and more.
While it focuses on the forests and trees of Japan, Li's book is a useful resource no matter where you live. The appendix features a map that highlights 40 beautiful forests throughout the world.
This is an essential handbook for those who want to understand and make shinrin-yoku a part of their life.
I received an eARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for a review. The FTC wants you to know.
This book offers practical advice for those beginning the practice of forest bathing. It also includes ideas on ways to extend the benefits indoors. The explanations of shinrin-yoku are straightforward, without jargon or buzzwords. You learn how the forest can help you reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, reduce depression, improve sleep, and more.
While it focuses on the forests and trees of Japan, Li's book is a useful resource no matter where you live. The appendix features a map that highlights 40 beautiful forests throughout the world.
This is an essential handbook for those who want to understand and make shinrin-yoku a part of their life.
I received an eARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for a review. The FTC wants you to know.
April 4, 2018
As the topic was total unknown to me, I found the book very interesting even if a little bit naive and simplistic, still it was a subject that the author handled with a lot of experience and love. I love everything Japan so this was also a bonus for me.
Siccome l'argomento di questo libro mi era totalmente sconosciuto, ho trovato questo volume molto interessante anche se a volte un po semplicistico. ma si vede come l'autore sia un appassionato della materia e come l'ami profondamente. Inoltre siccome mi piacciono tutte le cose che hanno anche un minimo riferimento al Giappone, questo per me era un punto in piú.
THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!
Siccome l'argomento di questo libro mi era totalmente sconosciuto, ho trovato questo volume molto interessante anche se a volte un po semplicistico. ma si vede come l'autore sia un appassionato della materia e come l'ami profondamente. Inoltre siccome mi piacciono tutte le cose che hanno anche un minimo riferimento al Giappone, questo per me era un punto in piú.
THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!
August 13, 2020
Reading Shrinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing is like reading a magazine like Happinez. It is beautifully designed, the photo's are phenomenal and the stories are inspirational, just don't look too much into it as it often falls apart. The main message is simple: get out there, enjoy nature, it's good for you. However, the book excels more on the Art than on the Science part. It is full of inaccurate studies and exaggerations and often passes into the pseudo-science of 'charging yourself up with negative ions' and such. For those who just want to be inspired and not convinced, this is the book for you.
February 21, 2022
A lot of this is pseudoscience. There are a few claims he makes without any citations as well. He straight up claims on page 297 that children with ADHD have their symptoms disappear when outdoors. He also seems to think that the solution to mental health is to plant more trees, and not, you know, like raising wages or having more public trans. Do not read this book.
May 4, 2022
Labai savalaikis vertimas ir tema. Subtiliai vizuali ir įkvepianti klaidžiojimams miškuose, bet pokalbiui su savimi. Visgi tekstas šykštus kalbos (lyg ir savaime suprantama, kai verčiamas japonų mokslininkas), sakiniai taupūs.
June 27, 2019
You lost me at "essential oils" and "negative ions."
It's a very pretty book though.
It's a very pretty book though.
July 3, 2019
Excellent read! Everyone should read this book and then take a walk in a green space!
August 13, 2019
Tämä oli hurmaava kokonaisvaltainen elämys: paljon tietoa ja runsaasti kauniita metsäkuvia kautta maailman. Tohtori Lin tapa kirjoittaa on viehättävä sekoitus tiedemiestä ja luonnonrakastajaa.
Shinrin-Yoku on eräänlaista metsässä tapahtuvaa mietiskelyä, jonka ideana on rauhoittaa mieli ja ruumis vastaanottamaan nykyhetki ja stimuloida kaikkia viittä aistia. Shinrin-Yoku ei ole patikointia, vaan pikemminkin hidasta käyskentelyä ja oleilua metsässä. Tohtori Qing Li antaa teoksessa monia ohjeita, joilla jokainen voi metsäkylpeä ilman ohjaajaa. Hän suosittaa niinkin hidasta tepasteluvauhtia kuin 2,5 km kahdessa tunnissa. Ideana on pysähdellä ja kuulostella omia tuntemuksiaan, avata aistit ja havainnoida: metsässä voidaan nähdä, haistaa, koskettaa, maistaa ja kuulla ympärillä oleva kauneus.
"Luonnossa havainnointia voidaan kutsua pehmeäksi lumoutumiseksi: Pilvet tai auringonlasku, lehtien havina, linnunlaulu tai tuulen kuiske vangitsevat mielen vaivatta. Rauhoittavat maisemat ja äänet antavat henkisille voimavaroille hengähdystauon."
Shinrin-Yoku on eräänlaista metsässä tapahtuvaa mietiskelyä, jonka ideana on rauhoittaa mieli ja ruumis vastaanottamaan nykyhetki ja stimuloida kaikkia viittä aistia. Shinrin-Yoku ei ole patikointia, vaan pikemminkin hidasta käyskentelyä ja oleilua metsässä. Tohtori Qing Li antaa teoksessa monia ohjeita, joilla jokainen voi metsäkylpeä ilman ohjaajaa. Hän suosittaa niinkin hidasta tepasteluvauhtia kuin 2,5 km kahdessa tunnissa. Ideana on pysähdellä ja kuulostella omia tuntemuksiaan, avata aistit ja havainnoida: metsässä voidaan nähdä, haistaa, koskettaa, maistaa ja kuulla ympärillä oleva kauneus.
"Luonnossa havainnointia voidaan kutsua pehmeäksi lumoutumiseksi: Pilvet tai auringonlasku, lehtien havina, linnunlaulu tai tuulen kuiske vangitsevat mielen vaivatta. Rauhoittavat maisemat ja äänet antavat henkisille voimavaroille hengähdystauon."
April 18, 2020
Being found of peace and quiet, wandering in the woods helped me both, to understand myself and also to be conscious of the connection we have with everything alive.
This book reminded me that in the forest, where songs of birds, floating wind through leaves, smell of the ground and so many other mesmerizing images, made us feel present and free, with plenty of benefits on mental and physical level.
I would highly recommend the book to everyone, and after reading it, go straight in the woods, you'll know why.
This book reminded me that in the forest, where songs of birds, floating wind through leaves, smell of the ground and so many other mesmerizing images, made us feel present and free, with plenty of benefits on mental and physical level.
I would highly recommend the book to everyone, and after reading it, go straight in the woods, you'll know why.
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