Bringing Nature In
In this issue, I thought it’d be nice to bring nature in through the medium of literature, by sharing some nature inspired reads.
With ongoing restrictions due to further lockdowns, and the limited options to travel any great distant at present, what better way to alternatively explore the wider world than through the words and imagery of a good book.
Winter in itself is a perfect time of year to utilize those indoor days to either immerse yourself in a good bit of storytelling, or to take the time to freshen up your skills and knowledge such as gardening and wildlife tips, mindfulness and self care or ecology and conservation.
Here, I've shared a mix of reads which you may like to purchase and explore over the coming weeks. All are available online under £20.
Wilderness – A Journal of Quiet Adventure in Alaska by Rockwell Kent
Ok, so Alaska isn’t quite on the doorstep, but I chose this beautiful book, a mixture of journal entries and woodcut prints created from Rockwell Kents artwork during his time ‘in the wilderness’ with his young son, as I felt it was a poignant book for current times. Touching on themes of solitude, winter and the natural world, this is a story of a wild immersion away from the demands of society, a beautiful ode to the glory of nature, to ones own company, to silence and to finding gratitude in the simple pleasures of day to day life.
Ok, so Alaska isn’t quite on the doorstep, but I chose this beautiful book, a mixture of journal entries and woodcut prints created from Rockwell Kents artwork during his time ‘in the wilderness’ with his young son, as I felt it was a poignant book for current times. Touching on themes of solitude, winter and the natural world, this is a story of a wild immersion away from the demands of society, a beautiful ode to the glory of nature, to ones own company, to silence and to finding gratitude in the simple pleasures of day to day life.
Hidden Histories – A Spotters Guide to the British Landscape by Mary Ann Ochota
In this book, history and landscape are brought together in a practical way to create a fascinating guide to deciphering the story of our land. From understanding the age of hedgerows and trees, to exploring ancient hillforts, byways and prehistoric strongholds. If you’ve ever wondered about certain lumps, bumps and patterns in the landscape around you, or want to know the history behind placenames or stone circles, this is a lovely beginners guide to becoming the perfect ‘landscape spotter’.
In this book, history and landscape are brought together in a practical way to create a fascinating guide to deciphering the story of our land. From understanding the age of hedgerows and trees, to exploring ancient hillforts, byways and prehistoric strongholds. If you’ve ever wondered about certain lumps, bumps and patterns in the landscape around you, or want to know the history behind placenames or stone circles, this is a lovely beginners guide to becoming the perfect ‘landscape spotter’.
Shinrin Yoku – The Art & Science of Forest Bathing by Dr Qing Li
This has been a bible to me since first becoming fascinated with the healing powers of Forest Bathing. From explaining the science behind our relationships with trees and the important role they play in benefiting our health, to practical ways of exploring this therapy yourself both outdoors and indoors. If you want to learn the art of forest bathing and bring yourself into closer connection with trees, this book is a simple and easy starting point.
This has been a bible to me since first becoming fascinated with the healing powers of Forest Bathing. From explaining the science behind our relationships with trees and the important role they play in benefiting our health, to practical ways of exploring this therapy yourself both outdoors and indoors. If you want to learn the art of forest bathing and bring yourself into closer connection with trees, this book is a simple and easy starting point.
Love Letter to the Earth by Thich Nhat Hanh
This book by Zen Master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh offers a personal call to develop an intimate relationship with the source of all life, discussing how our personal happiness is intricately tied to the happiness of our planet, and exploring simple practices and meditations for connecting with ourselves, each other and the world around us.
This book by Zen Master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh offers a personal call to develop an intimate relationship with the source of all life, discussing how our personal happiness is intricately tied to the happiness of our planet, and exploring simple practices and meditations for connecting with ourselves, each other and the world around us.
The Lost Spells by Robert MacFarlane & Jackie Morris
Following on from the hugely successful The Lost Words, writer Robert MacFarlane and illustrator Jackie Morris come together again to bring us this beautiful ode to the celebration of language and nature. Pembrokeshire based Jackies nature inspired illustrations are stunning in their detail, and accompanied with Roberts words this is a book of visual and lyrical beauty to be enjoyed by all ages.
Following on from the hugely successful The Lost Words, writer Robert MacFarlane and illustrator Jackie Morris come together again to bring us this beautiful ode to the celebration of language and nature. Pembrokeshire based Jackies nature inspired illustrations are stunning in their detail, and accompanied with Roberts words this is a book of visual and lyrical beauty to be enjoyed by all ages.
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
This book beautifully weaves together themes of indigenous wisdom, storytelling and plant knowledge to create a richly rewarding read exploring the art of attentiveness to life on many scales. Professor of Environmental and Forest Biology and citizen of the Native American Potawatomi Nation, Robin Wall Kimmerer is a wonderfully engaging writer who perfectly combines the beauty of mythology, botany and philosophy to whisk you away on a magical journey of the natural world.
This book beautifully weaves together themes of indigenous wisdom, storytelling and plant knowledge to create a richly rewarding read exploring the art of attentiveness to life on many scales. Professor of Environmental and Forest Biology and citizen of the Native American Potawatomi Nation, Robin Wall Kimmerer is a wonderfully engaging writer who perfectly combines the beauty of mythology, botany and philosophy to whisk you away on a magical journey of the natural world.
Why not try...
For an extra sensory reading experience, why not consider bringing natural scents into your home. Smell is the most primal of our senses, they directly affect our mood and behaviour and are closely connected to our emotions and memories. In 2004 a study published in Chemical Senses found that amongst the recollection of memories triggered by olfactory, visual and auditory cues, the olfactory induced ones were twice as many as the other senses.
There are various ways in which to bring your favourite scents of nature into your home, a scented candle, reed diffuser or incense sticks can be obvious choices, or just a simple diffuser for essential oils which are mixed with water and don’t require you to breath any smoke in. If you don’t already have one, a diffuser can easily be brought online for around £20. Stimulating some olfactory joy by evoking the salty scents of the sea, the earthy and woody tones of the forest, or the stirring smells of a yummy herb garden, not only creates an extra dimensional experience, but essential oils are proven to support mental wellbeing and bring calm to your mind too, what's not to like!
For an extra sensory reading experience, why not consider bringing natural scents into your home. Smell is the most primal of our senses, they directly affect our mood and behaviour and are closely connected to our emotions and memories. In 2004 a study published in Chemical Senses found that amongst the recollection of memories triggered by olfactory, visual and auditory cues, the olfactory induced ones were twice as many as the other senses.
There are various ways in which to bring your favourite scents of nature into your home, a scented candle, reed diffuser or incense sticks can be obvious choices, or just a simple diffuser for essential oils which are mixed with water and don’t require you to breath any smoke in. If you don’t already have one, a diffuser can easily be brought online for around £20. Stimulating some olfactory joy by evoking the salty scents of the sea, the earthy and woody tones of the forest, or the stirring smells of a yummy herb garden, not only creates an extra dimensional experience, but essential oils are proven to support mental wellbeing and bring calm to your mind too, what's not to like!
Some scents you may like to consider:
Fresh scents – ocean pine, lemon, tea tree, cypress, peppermint
Woody scents – eucalyptus, bergamot, cedarwood, rosemary, black pepper
Floral scents – neroli, rose, geranium, ylang-ylang
Fruity scents – tangerine, peppermint, lemongrass, grapefruit
Soothing scents – scots pine, lavender