Mother Nature – We are born from nature, we live by nature, and when we are gone, we become part of nature again.
Dr. Qing Li is one of the world’ foremost authorities on the Japanese art of Shirin-yoku. Shirin means forest and yoku means bath. Shirin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere, taking in the forest through our senses. उद्यान अवगाहन is a derivative of the concept – tailored to fit into our urban lives.
Have you wondered why the color green makes us so calm and positive?
Dr. Li explains that for most of our existence, we have been surrounded by green.
Nature is what we have been accustomed to look at.
We are reassured by green on a very primitive level (remember the basal ganglia that I spoke about?) – where there was green, there was water, and where there was water, we could find food. Hence, the color green provided us a sense of surety and security, and thus leads to us relaxing our minds and bodies.
Dr. Li also says that the air in a forest, or a dense park, is full of oxygen and phytoncides. Trees release these phytoncides to protect them from bacteria, insects and fungi, and these phytoncides are also part of the communication pathway between trees – the way trees talk to each other. It is these plant chemicals that constitute part of the forest’s natural aromatherapy, providing a boost to our immune system and making us “feel good” when we smell them.
Have you heard of mycobacterium vaccae? You may not heard of this bacteria, but you sure have smelt it.
That fresh smell of the earth when it rains – yes, its also called petrichor.
This bacteria was isolated from cow dung as well. It has immense health benefits – scientists found that this stimulates the immune system and in turn activates our happy hormones too.