Walking in the Woods

Summary:

• The book explores the practice of "forest bathing" or shinrin-yoku, developed in Japan in the 1980s, combining ancient wisdom with modern environmental health science.
• Forest bathing involves slowly walking through the woods, immersing oneself in nature using all the senses, and absorbing the essential oils of trees to positively impact emotions, stress levels, nervous system activity, blood pressure, heart rate, and brain function.
• The book promotes the healing power of trees and nature, highlighting the benefits of connecting with the natural world for physical and mental well-being.
• Author Yoshifumi Miyazaki, a leading expert in forest therapy, shares insights on the positive effects of forest bathing and advocates for the practice as a way to observe both the environment and one's own mental state.

Overall, "The Healing Power of Trees" is a non-fiction book that combines scientific research with nature therapy, advocating for the practice of forest bathing as a means to improve overall health and well-being. It emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with nature for physical and mental health benefits.

Publisher Description:

'It is clear that our bodies still recognize nature as our home...' - Yoshifumi Miyazaki

'Forest bathing' or shinrin-yoku is a way of walking in the woods that was developed in Japan in the 1980s. It brings together ancient ways and wisdom with cutting edge environmental health science.

Simply put, forest bathing is the practice of walking slowly through the woods, in no hurry, for a morning, an afternoon or a day. It is a practice that involves all the senses and as you gently walk and breathe deeply, the essential oils of the trees are absorbed by your body and have an extraordinary effect on positive feelings, stress hormone levels, parasympathetic nervous activity, sympathetic nervous activity, blood pressure, heart rate and brain activity.

In this wonderful book, by the leading expert in the field, science meets nature, as we are encouraged to bathe in the trees and become observers of both the environment around us and the goings on of our own minds.

About the Author

Yoshifumi Miyazaki is a retired university professor, researcher and the deputy director of Chiba University's Centre for Environment, Health and Field Sciences. He has published several books on the effects and benefits of forest therapy, and the concept is spreading with dozens of forest therapy centres now in existence and growing in Japan. In 2000 Professor Miyazaki received the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Minister Award for clarifying the health benefits of wood and shinrin-yoku, and later an award from the Japan Society of Physiological Anthropology in 2007.