Wild Walking: A Guide to Forest Bathing through the Seasons

by Melanie Choukas-Bradley

Genres: Nonfiction

128 pages, Hardcover

Published June 4, 2024

Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking through a forest is healing, and this beautifully illustrated and written resource explains its mental and physical benefits and how to do it. In Japan, it is known as Shinrin-yoku. First you disengage from your normal life, do deep breathing, enjoy nature through your senses, then return to your regular life. Sounds easy and deeply pleasing, and I can attest to its value through my mountain walks in Colorado. Highly recommended!

[Rachael Fryman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the idea of "Forest Bathing"! I also love when I'm out in nature but I just don't make the time to do it often. After reading this adorable little book full of the cutest, calming watercolor illustrations, I'm armed with purpose, a packing list, activities to try, and specific natural things to seek out in every season! I'm ready to dive in!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeously illustrated and insightful book for any nature lover. I took this with me to my favorite local garden, got comfortable in my “secret” spot, and read it in one sitting. Then I set out to practice forest bathing. Overall, this was the right blend of inspiration and practical application.

[Mallika Mahidhar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forest bathing is something I recently experienced and when I saw this book, I was really intrigued. My experience, if not life-changing, definitely brought some changes for me and the way I perceive things.

For me, Wild Walking was a nice introduction to forest bathing. Melanie is a nature and forest bathing guide based in the USA and she shares her experience from childhood to her walks as an adult. The book is divided into five chapters - How to Forest Bathe, Forest Bathing Through The Seasons, Compatible Activities, Forest Bathing as Therapy and Forest Tending.

One of my favourite chapters was Forest Bathing Through The Seasons. The chapters have several visuals of nature and elements from nature through different seasons and as a person who does not get to see all seasons, I loved reading and visualising all of the seasonal changes. For those who have not been forest bathing or have not done it more than a couple of times, I think this book is a great guide to practise forest bathing by yourself. The instructions, the experiences and observations shared in the book are so simple and meaningful. The illustrations accompanying the book are also cute.

One thing I will be taking from this book is the very first line - “Can you recall a time during your childhood when you were fully enthralled by the wonder of nature?”.

I would highly recommend this book (and forest bathing) to those who want to connect with nature, reconnect with themselves, and feel at peace even for a small amount of time. Thanks to NetGalley and Quatro Publishing Group for the ARC.

[Kcaroth1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild Walking by Melanie Choukas-Bradley offers a wonderful introduction to forest bathing in this short but quite beautiful book.
She starts by describing the practice and the potential benefits such as lowered stress, blood pressure, and increases in immune system responses and improved mood/mental state. What I found particularly interesting was the information about chemicals that trees and plants emit to protect themselves may also be beneficial when humans breathe them in.
The descriptions of activities and potential activities for each season were useful. I often look and listen when hiking in the woods but really slowing down to observe with all senses in a variety of mindful ways is newer to me.
I appreciated the suggestions for starting the practice and transitioning out of a forest bathing session to make it a little more special. Drinking a cup of tea is so easy but it would not have occurred to me to do so.
The illustrations are beautiful and really add to the feeling of the prose and overall sensibility of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing the eARC.

[Edie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come for the whimsical illustrations, stay for the inspirational words! This gorgeous book is the perfect gift for anyone. It encourages the reader to spend time in nature, not as exercise but as spiritual practice. It makes a case for slow, deliberate exploration and enjoyment of whatever greenery and water is at hand. It argues our hearts and minds, as well as our bodies, function better when we make time for forest bathing. Ritualizing our lives, noticing, inviting in wonder, tending - these are all trendy ideas right now but their popularization does not mean they aren't also practical steps towards creating a fulfilling life. Thank you to Melanie Choukas-Bradley, Quarto Publishing, and NetGalley for the eARC.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated guide to decompressing in nature. I find it interesting to see a scientific approach to what came naturally to me as a child. There are definite health benefits to disconnecting and discovering "wild walking."

While I personally will not be making a trip to Japan for "shinrin-yoku" and have no desire to become a certified Nature and Forest Therapy guide, I can appreciate how others might need a push to get out there and commune with the flowers and the trees. It is an amazing experience.

This instructional guide through the woods is well-written, with attention given to details that can be easy to miss if you don't pull yourself away mentally from all the internal and external noise from the urban world.

[Tonya Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Forest Bathing” is a new term to me and I absolutely love it. I’ve experienced throughout my life the benefits of walking in nature - mental, physical, emotional, and so much more. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to sharing this language with my son as he grows up. I loved the line “Can you recall a time during your childhood when you were fully enthralled by the wonder of nature?” Childhood is a wonderful time to learn the benefits of being out in nature and just taking a walk. The benefits are so enormous and so beneficial to one’s well being. Great job, Melanie, in sharing your experiences in your book!

[Chelsie Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy.

Wild Walking feels magical. I would love to have a physical copy of this book. Each page has such beautiful colors and the illustrations are truly special.

I love the idea of forest bathing and have always wanted to know more about it. Reading about the author’s experiences forest bathing in Japan makes me want to go there and have my own adventures.

There are nice, practical ways to include forest bathing in your day to day life no matter where you live, with specific guides for each seasons.

This book was beautiful.

[Sam Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book - this guide to forest-bathing is whimsical, practical, and pretty. There are a lot of forest bathing books out there but what I like about this one is how it weaves in scientific information with contemplative practices in a way that you can take to the woods and begin your own practice. It doesn't have to be a strict routine - just adding mindfulness to your existing walks. It contains seasonal suggestions, activities, and accessibility guidance so it's one of those books you can use in chunks rather than sit down and digest it all at once. Enjoy!

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and calming ❄️🌲🍂☀️
Trees, nature, fresh air, breathing and grounding. Forest bathing and walking are beneficial for everyone. I adore the lovely illustrations within this book.

*Temporary e-copy received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Mirichan · Rating 3 out of 5]

beautiful book but doesn't go very deep into the topic...

[ChillCassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was intrigued to read about this topic. It was very short. I loved the style and lovely illustrations. I wish it had more information or offerings.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this informative book about forest bathing. The illustrations were beautiful too.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book about reconnecting with the natural world to regain peace and stability, and better health. This is beautifully illustrated with watercolour drawings and well set out to explain the processes and how to engage in this quiet, solitary, healing task. I live in an apartment in a retirement village. I am also becoming much less mobile than I was. And our lawns are mowed to within an inch of their lives on a distressingly nosy regular basis. Where I would find wild forests and the healing sounds of nature I don't know any more. But I can walk barefoot over the little bit of grass out side my back door. So I will do that. A beautiful read.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a self-professed tree hugging, forest bathing, book lover, & lifelong reader. I've always been drawn to the woods, I need trees to survive. It turns out I'm not alone in feeling this way! Beautifully illustrated & full of interesting facts, plus hints & tips to creating a personalized experience for yourself & perhaps others. I enjoyed this book so much (thanks to Net Galley) that I have pre-ordered a hardcover copy when it releases in June.