Biography｜Stations

Forest and nature ...

... Forests and nature have played an important role for me since my childhood. My grandparents, as small forest owners and committed self-sufficient farmers, made a major contribution to this. From my grandfather, I inherited an understanding and curiosity for all living things.

I rediscovered being in the forest a few years ago when I took some time out to renovate my grandparents' cottage in a wooded area. It was a very personal project that was close to my heart. I realised how much strength the forest gives me: I experienced no exhaustion, no colds, no aches and pains, and a clear mind despite working hard from dawn to dusk. At the same time, I recognized the potential of being in the forest for a healthy society.

This gave me idea to write a non-fiction book that aims to bring a relaxed stay in the forest back into our consciousness. It had to be a somewhat different, motivating book that comes across as new and fresh. And so, the book not only provides comprehensive reports on research into forest medicine, the international state of opinion on Shinrin Yoku, forest bathing, and forest therapy, but also includes experiences of people who have tried it out in the form of scientifically inspired and thoroughly analyzed practical tests. In our forest bathing experiment, twelve curious people tried out the claimed effects of forest bathing on their moods, physical well-being and immune system during a short vacation trip.

The research for my book took me all the way to Japan, where I spoke to Prof. Dr. Qing Li from Tokyo Medical School, who is regarded as the founder and forefather of forest medicine and forest therapy, as well as other leading international experts. In Okutama, a typical Japanese forest therapy centre, I completed a training course in forest medicine certified by INFOM (International Society of Nature and Forest Medicine). The IM-WALD-SEIN® toolbox for a naturally healthy life was created.

In November 2019, Dr. Qing Li, Dr. Aran Tomac, Dieter H. Begel and I founded the Academy of the IWSI (IM-WALD-SEIN® Institute for Forest Medicine and Forest Therapy), which teaches the Shinrin Yoku according to Dr. Qing Li and forest therapy according to the IM-WALD-SEIN method® in a well-founded and practical way. In spring 2020, I was appointed Vice Chairperson of the specialty Committee of Forest Health Maintenance Research of WFCMS (World Federation of Chinese Medical Societies) and Member of the Technical Standards Committee of the specialty Committee of Forest Health Maintenance Research of WFCMS. In November 2020, I took over the management of the IM-WALD-SEIN® Institute for Forest Medicine and Forest Therapy. It is a wonderful task that I'm fully committed and dedicated to with utmost enthusiasm.

__ Graduated from the Wittelsbacher Gymnasium in Munich. Favourite memory: overnight camp at the Keltenschanze in the Landheim Endlhausen.

__ Studied at the Faculty of Law at LMU Munich. Favourite memory: preparing for exams at the Eisbach in the English Garden.

__ Doctorate under Prof. Dr. Hans-Jürgen Papier (President of the Federal Constitutional Court from 2002 to 2010) at the Institute for Politics and Public Law, topic: "EC directives in environmental law. With particular consideration of the possibility of domestic effects, even in multipolar conflicts of interest." Favourite memory: Daily exchange of ideas with Prof. Bernd Becker in the park of the Bundeswehr University in Munich.

__ Legal clerkship in Munich. Favourite memory: Extended trips to the countryside during the foreign placement in Strasbourg at the European Parliament.

__ Legal advisor and later managing director at the specialist publishing house RS Schulz. Favourite memory: summer festival on the Weissach.

__ Legal advisor at Wolters Kluwer Germany. Favourite memory: meetings in the garden pavilion on the publishing house premises.

__ Managing partner of OPTIMUM Medien & Service GmbH, focus: health communication in the field of public health, especially health promotion and prevention. Publications for statutory health insurance companies. Media for inspiring nature-health experiences.

__ In addition to legal training, Dr. Melanie H. Adamek has also successfully completed a wide range of other advanced training courses. From highly qualified leadership training at Krauthammer International, to training as a divemaster in the Maldives, to a laughter yoga workshop with Cornelia Leisch.

__ In Japan, Dr. Melanie H. Adamek was one of the few Europeans to complete a training course in forest medicine certified by INFOM (International Society of Nature and Forest Medicine) with Prof. Dr. Qing Li, the icon of forest bathing. Fondest memory: the intense scent of the Japanese cedar in the forest therapy forest in Okutama.

__ Since 2020, Dr. Melanie H. Adamek has been Vice Chairperson of the specialty Committee of Forest Health Maintenance Research of WFCMS (World Federation of Chinese Medical Societies) and Member of the Technical Standards Committee of the specialty Committee of Forest Health Maintenance Research of WFCMS.

__ In November 2020, Dr. Melanie H. Adamek took over the management of the IM-WALD-SEIN® Institute for Forest Medicine and Forest Therapy.

__ Dr. Melanie H. Adamek is a member of the Munich University Society, the Munich Bar Association, the German Publishers and Booksellers Association, and the Beuerberg Golf Club.

Very beautifully made and cleverly written book on the trending topic of "forest and health". I was particularly interested in the health-promoting effects of terpenes, which are explained here in a scientific (but easy to understand) way. Overall, a very informative, factual book that makes you want to spend more time in the forest. It is also attractively and qualitatively designed, and you just enjoy picking it up.

“Beautiful and cleverly written book on the trendy topics of forests and health. I was particularly interested in the health-promoting effects of terpenes, which are explained scientifically (but easily understood). All in all, it is a very informative, factual book that makes me want to spend more time in forests. It also has an appealing and high-quality design and is a pleasure to pick up.”
Hajo Schmidt, Amazon customer

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"We have the miracle cure practically right on our doorstep, under our feet. It is astonishing how clearly the positive effects of the forest can be proven scientifically."

“We have a miracle cure right on our doorstep, under our feet. It's amazing how clearly the positive effects of the forest can be scientifically proven.”
Frau-Achtsamkeit

FabuFit
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“Thank you very much! I inhaled this book. I loved my excursions with the audio guide as much as I loved the small diary. Im-Wald-Sein has changed my life.”
O. J. R.

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“The book shows how important the forest can be for better health and for rediscovering oneself.” oekonews.at

“The book shows how the forest can be an important place for health improvement and for finding yourself again.”
oekonews.at

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“What happened immunologically and psychologically in the test subjects afterwards, this and more is described in the richly illustrated, clearly laid out and very entertainingly written non-fiction book, which also immediately awakens the desire to set out and be in the forest.” lifestylesite.de

“This richly illustrated, distinctly designed and very entertaining non-fiction book describes immunological, psychological, and other effects experienced by test subjects, and immediately awakens my desires to set off and be in the forest.”
lifestylesite.de

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The author has succeeded in not only awakening the desire for the forest through understandable scientific content and entertaining contributions, but also in showing that in times of permanent stress, rescue is literally waiting on the doorstep!

“With comprehensible scientific content and entertaining contributions, the author has succeeded not only in awakening desires for forests, but also in showing that salvation for permanent stress is literally waiting on your doorstep!”
Silke H., Amazon customer

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About Mha

For years, Dr. Melanie H. Adamek has been studying the health effects of Shinrin Yoku, a a widespread health sustaining practice in Asia. She says: “For me, Shinrin Yoku is the logical consequence of Kneipp's health teachings, and it has the potential to become a universal health concept, especially here in Europe.”

The IM-WALD-SEIN® Toolbox

During times of great pressure to change, we are more than ever dependent on simple, universal building blocks for a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Melanie H. Adamek has developed a toolbox with which you can easily and casually use the forest as a source of health and well-being, anytime and anywhere.

Mha face-to-face

Many people talk about the link between forests and health. Few have Dr. Melanie H. Adamek's profound expertise. She is very familiar with the crème de la crème of the German and international scene and has researched the health effects of the forest herself. You too can benefit from Dr. Adamek's knowledge, eloquence and charm.