Sometimes I like to write about a book I am reading. This is one of those times. I am living up in Maine, probably through the summer (it is 2021) and while I am working most of the day on zoom, when I have a break or on weekends, I am out in the fresh air, forest, pine trees, or on the water in a kayak. All of those things I do with our dogs (except the kayaks – they are not very cooperative in that regard). I’ve always known that this place makes me feel good. Since I was a little boy, there was something about arriving on Deer Isle, over the bridge and then across the causeway, that changed my mood. We put the windows down on the causeway (always) let the sea air in, breathe it in and let it do its magic. I can almost feel my blood pressure go down.
So I started reading The Nature Fix, by Florence Williams, mostly because my son recommended it. He worked at LL Bean in the winter and the book was sold there. I started reading and it jarred me, as the author recounts study after study about how nature indeed fixes us. The first chapter spoke about a study in Japan that claims that evergreen scents are almost like a miracle drug. They measure something called NK cells (whatever those are) and how the body gives off more of these (presumably this is a good thing) when around the scent of evergreens trees. Many japanese now ever use a humidifier with cypress oil each night in the winter. The scientist, when interviewed at his university lab in Tokyo, was asked “what else do you recommend.” His answer?
“If you have time for a vacation, don’t go to a city. Go to a natural area. Try to go one weekend a month. Visit a park at least once a week. Gardening is good. On urban walks, try to walk under trees, not across fields. Go to a quiet place. Near water is also good.”
I feel so lucky.
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