Selected research and scholarly writing exploring Shinrin-Yoku, forest bathing, forest therapy, nature connectedness, emotional regulation, forest atmosphere, phytoncides, wellbeing, guiding methodology and professional practice.
This collection brings together selected publications by Milena A. Guziak concerned with nature, Shinrin-Yoku, forest bathing, forest therapy and human relationships with natural environments.
The work crosses environmental psychology, psychophysiology, nature connectedness, mindfulness, emotional regulation, sensory science, forest atmosphere, phytoncides, guide methodology and professional ethics.
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Origins, conceptual development, forest engagement and contemporary forest-therapy practice.
Nature connectedness, emotion regulation, mindfulness and psychological pathways to wellbeing.
Forest VOCs, olfaction, physiological markers and the scientific history of phytoncides.
Invitations, scaffolding, risk, professional identity and responsibilities of forest-therapy guides.
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Examines forest engagement as a continuum ranging from brief restorative contact to sustained practices of connection and care. The work considers repetition, meaning, accessibility, guidance and place attachment as factors influencing whether forest encounters become part of everyday life.
Considers the role of forest-therapy guides against a background of environmental disconnection, urbanisation and contemporary psychological stress. Guiding is examined as intentional facilitation of safe and context-sensitive encounters with restorative natural environments.
Traces the conceptual development of Shinrin-Yoku from the Japanese forest-bathing concept toward forest therapy and forest medicine, while connecting this development with environmental psychology, nature connection and different depths of immersion in nature.
Introduces the modern Japanese concept of Shinrin-Yoku and follows its development toward more systematic approaches described as forest therapy, placing the terminology within its Japanese cultural and historical context.
Presents a structured method for developing and evaluating Shinrin-Yoku invitations through intended outcomes, physical and emotional risk analysis, participant preparation, facilitation and post-session revision.
Presents an ethical framework for Shinrin-Yoku guides and educators, including respect for nature, professionalism, inclusivity, safety, responsibility, continuous learning and collaboration.
Examines relationships among Nature Connection Index scores, difficulties in emotion regulation and mindful attention in an international adult sample using NCI, DERS-18 and MAAS measures.
A focused presentation of findings concerning nature connectedness and emotion regulation, including relationships with emotional awareness, goal-directed behaviour and perceived access to emotion-regulation strategies.
Reviews empirical research concerning physiological and psychological outcomes associated with forest bathing, including cardiovascular regulation, stress responses, immune indicators and mood-related outcomes.
Re-examines the historical development of the phytoncide concept through the work of Boris P. Tokin and related researchers, clarifying how ideas about plant antimicrobial activity developed into the broader concept of phytoncidotherapy.
Proposes a multidimensional view of forest engagement, distinguishing incidental exposure from intentional, repeated and personally meaningful practice. Forest time is considered as a free resource, mindfulness modality, pathway to nature connection and nature-based intervention.
Places phytoncides within the broader science of biogenic volatile organic compounds, examining their chemistry, ecological functions, environmental variability and potential relevance to health without reducing the forest experience to VOC exposure alone.
Examines professional language, agency, co-responsibility, guide readiness and reflective risk assessment. The work considers how guided practice can preserve participant dignity, professional clarity and respect for the living forest.
Applies the educational principle of scaffolding to guided forest therapy. The model progressively softens external structure as participants develop confidence, autonomy and their own relationship with the forest experience.
Examines invitations as intentionally designed openings rather than simple instructions, considering logistics, presentation, theme and sensory systems including interoception, proprioception and vestibular awareness.
Brings together theoretical perspectives on human–nature relationships, including Biophilia, Attention Restoration Theory, Stress Reduction Theory, Nature Relatedness, Nature Connectedness and Favorite Places, and considers their relevance to forest therapy.
Reviews physiological indicators relevant to research on forest exposure, including stress hormones, inflammatory processes and heart-rate variability, while recognising that biological markers capture only one dimension of wellbeing.
Explores olfaction as one pathway through which forest atmosphere may interact with emotion, autonomic regulation and physiology, linking plant-derived volatile compounds with olfactory, limbic and hypothalamic processes.
The Mindful Tourist summaries are intended to make academic and scholarly work more accessible. They provide a concise introduction to each publication and do not replace the complete article. Readers wishing to examine methodology, references, limitations and the author's full discussion should continue to the original publication. Shinrin-Yoku Journal ISSN: 2957-2118. ISBN and DOI identifiers are shown where available.