SHINRIN-YOKU

   Shinrin-yoku is a term that means "taking in the forest atmosphere" or "forest bathing." It was developed in Japan during the 1980s and has become a popular method of preventative health care and healing in Japanese medicine. The idea of shinrin-yoku is about walks in a natural area to relax, calm down and revitalize. Dr Qing Li who is one of the world's top experts in shinrin-yoku shares his experience and results of scientific studies in his book "Shinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing". The scientifically-proven benefits of shinrin-yoku include:

• Boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body's Natural Killer (NK) cells.
• Reduced blood pressure
• Reduced stress
• Improved mood
• Increased ability to focus
• Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness
• Increased energy level
• Improved sleep

   The results of shinrin-yoku are impressive and we can easily apply some of the rules to our regular practice even when we live in the city:

• Every day spend time (30 minutes at least) around trees in the nearby park
• During the walk try to calm your mind by listening to trees rustling and birds singing 
• Decorate your balcony or terrace with plants
• Fill your home with house plants 
• Vaporise essential tree oils

   I like to visit Park Tarnogajski in my neighborhood. A lot of old trees grow there that create a nice atmosphere. The park was created with funds from the Wrocław Citizens' Budget and opened officially in May 2018. I often visit the park with my kids during the weekends. They ride their bikes and I sit on a bench with a book in my hands ;) In regards to my apartment I have many plants already and I use tree oils (especially pine oil) during hot baths in the winter. The main rules of shining-yoku have already been present in my life for a long time but now I discovered how important they are and what a great impact they have on my health.

Shinrin-yoku by Dr Qing Lee

Park Tarnogajski in Wrocław

GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS

 
   There are many old stories that are known worldwide but they differ from country to country. When my daughter was a baby I bought her the "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" book. It has hard pages and touch and feel fabric elements to encourage children to play with the book. The story is about a little girl who went for a walk in the forest and came upon a little wooden house. She knocked, when no one answered, she walked in. She noticed three bowls of porridge on the kitchen table and because she was hungry she ate everything from the smallest bowl. Then she wanted to rest and sat on the smallest of three chairs but she broke it. At last she felt sleepy and laid down in the smallest of three beds. While she was sleeping the three bears who lived in the house came back and noticed that someone had been to their house. They found an empty bowl, a broken chair and a little girl sleeping in the bed. "They growled and shouted as they chased naughty Goldilocks out." That's how the story ends in the English book.

   My friend who comes from Ukraine brought me the "Маша и Три Медведя" (Eng. Masha and the Three Bears) book from her last visit to her family home. The book is in Russian and you can find many elements from Russian and Ukrainian culture inside. The family of bears is smiling to you from the cover but it is easy to notice that daddy bear is dressed in Russian national colors (he wears a shirt in white and blue stripes and a red scarf) and has a hat in Ukrainian national colors (blue and yellow). The girl's name is Masha and it is a typical Russian name. Masha just like in the English story found a house in the wood, ate porridge, broke a chair and fell asleep in the smallest bed. The three bears found the girl in their house but instead of yelling they explained that it is rude to enter someone else's house without an invitation. Masha asked them for forgiveness and explained that she was looking for someone to play with. The little bear wanted to play hide-and-seek with Masha but it was already late. Mummy and daddy bear said that Masha should go home now as her parents might be worried. They blessed Masha and wished her a safe journey home.

   I was looking for a Polish version of the story on my book-shelf but I couldn't find one. I will definitely put it on my wish list ;) I'm very keen to check if there would be any Polish aspects in the story.