Angela's book of Nature

I came across two words while looking at themes surrounding nature. Friluftsliv (free air life) is a Norwegian idea and Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) is from Japan. I loved the idea of both! I've pasted in the text below, from the article that inspired me.

Because my shipping container has yet to arrive (next week!!) I ended up making my own concertina book. It'll probably be done before yours since there are less pages, but I can make another at some point - we are flexible lassies.

Love you both, dear Wicky & Jaxxy.

Can't wait to see your books.

Outside covers

Inside covers

Shinrin-yoku is a Japanese term that means "forest bathing"... The idea being that spending time in the forest and natural areas is good preventitive medicine, since it lowers stress, which causes or exacerbates some of our most intractable health issues. As MNN's Catie Leary details, this isn't just a nice idea—there's science behind it: "The "magic" behind forest bathing boils down to the naturally produced allelochemic substances known as phytoncides, which are kind of like pheromones for plants. Their job is to help ward off pesky insects and slow the growth of fungi and bacteria. When humans are exposed to phytoncides, these chemicals are scientifically proven to lower blood pressure, relieve stress and boost the growth of cancer-fighting white blood cells. Some common examples of plants that give off phytoncides include garlic, onion, pine, tea tree and oak, which makes sense considering their potent aromas."

 

Friluftsliv translates directly from Norwegian as "free air life," which doesn't quite do it justice as an idea. Coined relatively recently, in 1859, it is the concept that being outside is good for human beings' mind and spirit. "It is a term in Norway that is used often to describe a way of life that is spent exploring and appreciating nature," Anna Stoltenberg, culture coordinator for Sons of Norway, a U.S.-based Norwegian heritage group, told MNN. Other than that, it's not a strict definition: it can include sleeping outside, hiking, taking photographs or meditating, playing or dancing outside, for adults or kids. It doesn't require any special equipment, includes all four seasons, and needn't cost much money. Practicing Friluftsliv could be as simple as making a commitment to walking in a natural area 5 days a week, or doing a day-long hike once a month. 

      --Starre Vartan, from mnn.com