Mayumi Kataoka: When Your Brain Needs Trees, Not More Productivity Hacks

In our hyperconnected world, we respond to time scarcity by optimising, accelerating, and implementing more productivity systems. But what if the solution isn't doing more—it's doing less?

Mayumi Kataoka, a certified forest therapy guide based in Sydney, takes professionals on three-hour walks that cover barely 1.2 kilometers. Participants consistently report losing track of time and finding clarity they didn't know they were missing.

In this conversation, Mayumi shares her journey from IT professional and martial arts instructor to nature photographer to forest therapy guide, revealing how each phase built the observational capacity she now brings to her practice. She explains the science behind Shinrin-yoku (Japanese forest bathing), why our genes expect natural environments, and how systematic sensory engagement creates measurable cognitive benefits.

Connect with Mayumi Kataoka

Website (Individual Practice): forestminds.com

Website (Collective): foresttherapycollectivensw.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/forestminds

Resources

"Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals" by Oliver Burkerman Challenges conventional productivity by exploring life's brevity (4,000 weeks if you live to 80) and advocating for acceptance of limits.

"The Extended Mind" by Annie Murphy Paul Examines how thinking extends beyond the brain through tools, environments, and bodies.

"The Distracted Mind" by Adam Gazzaley and Larry D. Rosen Explores how modern technology fragments attention and reduces cognitive performance.

Organizations

Japanese Forest Therapy Society Original institution developing Shinrin-yoku practices, maintaining certified sites throughout Japan, and supporting global research into forest bathing benefits.

International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance Provides forest therapy guide certification and research. Based in Melbourne.

Key Concepts

Shinrin-yoku (Forest Bathing): Japanese therapeutic nature immersion practice backed by 40 years of research.

Biophilia Hypothesis: E.O. Wilson's theory that humans have innate tendencies to connect with nature, evolved over 2 million years.

4E Cognition: Understanding cognition as Embodied, E