Renewal: How Nature Awakens Our Creativity, Compassion, and Joy

by Andres R. Edwards, Marc Bekoff (Foreword)

Explore our emotional bond with nature to heal ourselves and the natural world Why spend countless hours indoors in front of screens when being in nature feels so good? In learning why and how to nurture our emotional connection with nature, we can also regenerate the ecosystems on which we depend for our survival. Renewal explores the science behind why being in nature makes us feel alive and helps us thrive. Using personal experiences and cutting-edge research in cognitive science, this book weaves delightful stories Whether you are drawn to conservation or are interested in the science behind human behavior, Renewal will help create a blueprint for integrating nature with a life of creativity, compassion, and joy. AWARD

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Science

208 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2019

Reviews

[Emily Barbera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renewal puts words to intuitive truths about nature that are presented in a calming, educational, and inspirational manner. Disciplines that are typically isolated, like technology, biology, and psychology are seamlessly woven together in a novel yet logical and powerful way. Renewal delivers a timely message for our modern world that anyone will benefit greatly from receiving.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Renewal: How Nature Awakens Our Creativity, Compassion, and Joy by Andrés R. Edwards during a recent trip to the forests of Arkansas. We spent six days taking seven hikes for a total of 20.55 miles.

Here are a few quotes from Renewal and a few photos from Arkansas.



"Some of the most interesting research on the connection between health and nature is coming from Japan. Walking and spending time in forests, known as shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is a popular form of preventive health care in Japan."



"Studies are now proving the health benefits of spending time in forests. Yoshifumi Miyazaki from Chiba University, Japan, discovered that going for a 40-minute walk in a cedar forest lowers the level of cortisol, a stress hormone, as well as blood pressure and supports the immune system more than a similar 40-minute walk indoors in a lab."



"Qing Li from Nippon Medical School in Tokyo has shown that trees and plants emit compounds known as phytoncides that when inhaled give us therapeutic benefits akin to aromatherapy. Phytoncides also change the blood composition, which impacts our protection against cancer, boosts our immune system and lowers our blood pressure."



"The psychological benefits of green exercise include reduced stress and anxiety and improvements in self-esteem and mood as well as reduction in blood pressure and an increase in vitamin D from sunlight. Taking a walk outdoors in nature has also been shown to be effective in cases of depression."




"Having access to parks and nature has also been linked with longer life spans and a lower risk of mental illness in Japan, Scandinavia, and the Netherlands."

[Dodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quiet book about how nature can affect us. Unfortunately there wasn’t anything new that hasn’t been written before.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure this book needed to be written. It was nice but not revolutionary. I did like the discussion questions at the end of each chapter and the lengthy resources at the end though.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthy read. I found it calming and centering. Will look for more reads from author Andrés R. Edwards.