“Aaah, summer – that long anticipated stretch of lazy, lingering days, free of responsibility and rife with possibility. It’s a time to hunt for insects, master handstands, practice swimming strokes, conquer trees, explore nooks and crannies, and make new friends.”

~ Darell Hammond (American actor)

At Hanselman Landscape, it is our joy to build gardens “rife with possibility” and ready for exploration! Call us (717-653-1273). We would love to bring a little bit of childhood imagination and delight into your daily experience!

Shared by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife

At Hanselman Landscape, we understand the therapeutic value of “being with trees” and encourage you to create a haven of trees and shrubs around your home so you can take a “forest bath” anytime! CONTACT US (717-653-1273)! We’d love to help make this invigorating experience a daily reality for you!

These photos depict just a few of the many ways “forest bathing” can become a part of your daily garden experience.

Joyfully shared by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife

“O for a summer noon, when light and breeze

Sport on the grass, like ripples o’er a lake

Alive with freshness! when the full round Sun,

With the Creator’s smile upon his face,

Walks like a prince of glory through the path

Of Heaven!—Thou vast, and ever-glorious sky,

Mantling the earth with thy majestic robe…”

~Robert Montgomery, “Beautiful Influences” (American merchant, banker, and statesman; 1734 – 1806)

The concept of Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing” took hold in Japan during the 1980s and has become a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine. Also referred to as forest therapy, Shinrin-yoku means “taking in the forest atmosphere” or simply “being with trees”.

Since the appreciation of nature has long been a national pastime in Japan, the Japanese didn’t need to be persuaded that “forest bathing” was a good idea. In a 2009 study of the physiological and psychological effects of forest bathing, Qing Li, a professor at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, measured the activity of human natural killer (NK) cells in the immune system of his subjects before and after exposure to the woods. NK cells provide rapid responses to viral-infected cells and tumor formation, and are associated with immune system health and cancer prevention. Following weekend forest visits, Li’s subjects showed significant increases in NK cell activity during the week after a forest visit, with positive effects lasting a month. These results are due to various essential oils, generally called phytoncide, which trees emit to protect themselves from germs and insects. Forest air doesn’t just feel fresher and healthier—inhaling phytoncide actually seems to improve immune system function!

Contributed by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife (& frequent “forest bather”)

Based on an article by Ephrat Livini

“I get up on a glorious summer morning and gaze out at the new day. With all the strongest and deepest instincts of my nature I long to go out into the green beauty of the world, to fling myself down in some sloping meadow and feel the sunshine envelop me and the warm winds pass over me, to see them tossing the grasses and tugging at the trees and driving the white clouds across the blue, and to feel the great earth revolving under me — for if you lie long enough you can really get the sense of sailing through space.”

~Elisabeth Woodbridge Morris, “On Taking One’s Dessert First” (American author and professor; 1870 – 1964)

This summer, I hope you are finding some time each day to step outside and savor the moments with childlike wonder! We can help with the setting . . . .

This was our view the other evening after a delightful summer rain shower. I don’t know if I have ever seen such a clear and expansive rainbow, certainly not over our home!

What a generous blessing to be able to experience fleeting and beautiful gifts like these, just outside our door!

Gratefully shared by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife (& garden beauty beneficiary)