Conserving Land is Essential . . . for Humans
Living in Place
Conserving land isn’t only good for wildlife, forests, water quality, and climate protection. Land conservation is also essential for humans, because humans also need nature. Studies demonstrate that not only is nature good for humans, but also that lack of it is deleterious. Research into the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku has confirmed the healing properties of forest bathing, a bio- and psycho- dynamic practice developed as an antidote to high-tech life. Shinrin-yoku is a form of sensory meditation where a person mindfully immerses herself in the healing atmosphere of the forest to lessen and even prevent the chronic stress responsible for so many of the ailments of modern life, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, distraction, and insomnia. In Japan, doctors prescribe forest bathing for improved health, and people get better.
An unexpected consequence and equally important benefit of shinrin-yoku has been a greater appreciation for forests. As people find health among the trees, they’ve become more aware of the need to protect individual trees from felling and entire forests from development. Forest bathing may prove as important in protecting the natural environment as the natural environment is critical to supporting human well-being.
This is an excerpt from Reviving Artemis: The Making of a Huntress
