The Joy of Forest Bathing: Reconnect With Wild Places & Rejuvenate Your Life (Volume 4)

by Melanie Choukas-Bradley, Lieke van der Vorst

A simple antidote to our nature-starved lives, The Joy of Forest Bathing is an enticing and comprehensive introduction to forest bathing—or Shinrin-yoku, in Japan—the meditative practice of connecting with nature and disconnecting from the distractions of daily life.

Full sensory immersion in the beauty and wonder of nature and trees can produce mental, emotional, and physical health benefits . Research has shown that forest bathing lowers blood pressure, pulse rate, and cortisol levels; improves mood; and may even boost our immunity to cancer and other diseases.

The Joy of Forest Bathing invites you to experience the benefits of this healing practice for yourself. Learn the history and background of forest bathing, followed by detailed instructions for establishing a forest bathing practice in your own adopted “wild home,” encompassed in three
  1. Disengagement from your daily routine 2. Deep breathing and nature connection through a series of quiet activities or “invitations” 3. Transitioning back to your daily life   This restorative activity can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities : children, teenagers, and even senior citizens with limited mobility and people recovering from illness and surgery. And you don’t need to travel to the Japanese alps to experience the benefits of forest bathing. All you need is a small patch of untouched (or lightly touched) nature to adopt as your “wild home.”

Within, find practical tips and inspiration for forest bathing through the seasons : in the winter, when the leafless trees open up new vistas; in the spring, when you can hear the melodious serenade of song birds as they nest in the newly formed green canopy; in the summer, watching the butterflies nectaring on wildflowers; and in the autumn, when you can catch glimpses of hurried squirrels storing food for the winter.

The Joy of Forest Bathing introduces a variety of activities that can be enhanced with forest bathing elements , such as mindfulness practices, exercise, art and writing, and outdoor celebrations. Learn, too, how surrendering to the mysteries of nature can provide guidance through difficult times .

As you find nourishment in nature, you will instinctively begin to wonder how you can preserve and protect this healing resource . This guide includes suggestions for tending to your “wild home.”

Illustrated throughout with enchanting artwork by Dutch illustrator Lieke van der Vorst and stunning nature photography , The Joy of Forest Bathing is the perfect guide to enhancing your life with the wondrous world of nature.

The Live Well series from Rock Point invites you to create a life you love through multiple acts of self-discovery and reinvention. These encouraging gift books touch on fun yet hardworking self-improvement strategies, whether it’s learning to value progress over perfection, taking time to meditate and slow down to literally smell the roses, or finding time to show gratitude and develop a personal mantra. From learning how to obtain more restful sleep and creating a healthy work/life balance to developing personal style and your own happy place, the Live Well series encourages you to live your best life.

Other titles in the series Progress Over Perfection ; Find Your Flow ; Be Happy ; Seeking Slow ; Finding Gratitude ; Eff This! Meditation ; Find Your Mantra ; It Had to be You ; Men’s Society ; Genius Jokes ; The Calm and Cozy Book of Sleep ; Beating Burnout ; Ayurveda for Life ; Choose Happy ; and You Got This .

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Environment, Health, Self Help, Mental Health, Ecology

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Joy of Forest Bathing: The Mysterious Japanese Art of Shinrin-Yoku” by Melanie Choukas-Bradley offers an amazing introduction to the Japanese concept of Shinrin-Yoku.

The Publisher’s Note is especially elegant:
“Being present in a forest can produce mental, emotional, and physical health benefits; The Joy of Forest Bathing is a simple antidote to our nature-starved lives.

“Forest bathing—or Shinrin-yoku, in Japan—is the meditative practice of connecting with nature and disconnecting from the distractions of daily life. Simply being present in a forest, or other wild area, can produce mental, emotional, and physical health benefits. Practitioners and advocates of forest bathing have consistently reported a significant drop in anxiety, and overall higher quality of life.
 
“Unlike backpacking or hiking, forest bathing isn't about a workout. Or how far you can trek or climb. It is about stilling your mind and zeroing in on the sights and sounds around you.
 
“This book is both an invitation to take up the practice of forest bathing and inspiration to connect with nature to heal both the planet and humanity.”

For me, “The Joy of Forest Bathing” gives gorgeous exposure to an unexpected concept that rings true to my own nature-starved self. I enthusiastically rate this beautiful healing guide a 5/5!

Pub Date 23 Oct 2018

Thanks to Quarto Publishing Group - Rock Point and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are truly mine.

#TheJoyOfForestBathing #NetGalley

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who studies nature won't need this book but may still enjoy the read. While this short book is made shorter by copious illustrations, quite a few of which cover a full page without adding anything except green dots, maybe the author didn't have anything more to say.

The concept of forest bathing comes from Japan, and while I wasn't aware of the name, I know that indeed walking and sitting in woodland, the more mature the better, is a relaxing and revitalising experience. Of course, I can't just stroll. I spot broken hanging limbs, young trees waiting for a break in the canopy, fungi hollowing a trunk, tiny moss nests for long tailed tits and more. Especially the trees, being a tree surgeon. We are told yoga is best done outdoors and a forest glade would seem an ideal spot.

I like that the author adds science facts, like trees exhaling chemicals which help our immune systems, and warns that streams are not safe to drink unfiltered. You don't know if rats have been in the water. I suggest combining this book with one on foraging if only to give you an excuse to go to a forest. The author suggests turning off electronic devices, but some nice photos can help you recall the day and share the experience with friends. Visitors will become more aware of how the natural world provides water and air services to us.
Enjoy!
I downloaded an e-ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

ooh- North American Forest Therapy sounds intriguing.
Since I live in an area of four seasons, winter forest bathing is not an activity I consider too frequently. I appreciated that all seasons were suggested in this gentle book.
The illustrations are eye pleasing. I appreciated the different approaches for persons with varying abilities and access to the great outdoors. There truly is something here for everyone.

This is a beautiful volume to gift to someone starting out on a new journey, an unexplored life path.
It is also wonderful for those who have forgotten to spend time in the present moment and need to slow down life's hectic pace.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me of two people. First my grandmother, who took me on long walks through the forests of my childhood, who showed me how to breathe among the trees, how to find home should I get lost (the tale of Hansel and Gretel was always in my head on such walks), which plants were edible and inedible, and also how to identify animal tracks and to distinguish the birds by their songs. The other person is a dear friend of mine, who enjoys forest bathing and lets me take part on her walks through the internet, since we live far apart.

The book explains how to forest bathe to get the most out of your experience. Forest bathing is more than just a walk through the closest wood, it's about relaxation, stress relief, connecting with nature, and so much more. The book The Joy of Forest Bathing explains the basics, down to what clothes to wear, and offers mindfulness activities, as well as, "how to" forest bathe with children, teenagers and people with limited mobility.

There is so much more in this book. The most important "take home message" I am taking from this book is, go out there, spend time in the forest and just be.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Joy of Forest Bathing by Melanie Choukas-Bradley / illustrated by Lieke van der Vorst

With a reverence bow to the Shinano-machi healing forest of Nagano, Japan, we are given a little background into the divinity of forest bathing, or properly, shinrin-yoku. Then into instructional steps to make the most of your time in nature.
Short chapters on additional activities while partaking, as well as for the different ages and possible needs, are also there.
A quick reminder to respect Mother Nature is applaudable. I always have some sort of “removal” source to rid the area of lazy human discards and was happy to see it brought forth in this book. Such a shame it’s even necessary.
Ending with a resource section for furthering your nature journeys is apropos.
The colorful illustrations add to the experience of this meditative read.
Equally pleased to see that the paper was from “responsible sources” within this super hardbound book.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don’t have to wear hiking boots and head off to the Appalachian Trial to commune with nature. If you do, consider yourself at the “mastery” level of appreciating time in nature. Most of us are not in that category, and that’s okay. We meet nature where we are.

In a new book, The Joy of Forest Bathing: The Mysterious Art of Shirin-Yoku, Melanie Choukas-Bradley introduces “Forest Bathing” to western readers and takes the mystery out of this traditional Japanese practice. “Forest bathing” is simply going out in the forest or other wild or semi-wild place and communing with nature. By undergoing a full sensory immersion in nature, you let go of your worries, forget about the rest of the world, and experience the beauty and wonder of the natural world around you. This beautifully illustrated book leads those of us who do not wear hiking boots to step out into the natural world, unplug, and find peace and harmony within oneself and the world around us.

In The Joy of Forest Bathing, the author reiterates what most of us know intuitively and what science has shown to be true: time in nature is good for you. It lowers your blood pressure, improves your focus, makes you feel happier, and soothes your soul. What I liked about this book is that the author opens the door and invites everyone into nature – children, youth, the very elderly, the disabled. You don’t have to be super fit and a rugged mountaineer to experience the wonder of a forest. You can do forest bathing in your own neighborhood or in a public park. The point is to spend quiet, alone time in nature and get away from our wired, overstimulating, stressful world.

The Joy of Forest Bathing: The Mysterious Art of Shirin-Yoku by Melanie Choukas-Bradley comes out August 28 and is available for pre-order now. The illustrations and photographs in the book are lovely and calming in and of themselves; be sure to read this in print or on a color-enabled e-reader. Suggestions for experiencing a sense of wonder in nature are provided for all four seasons, along with many other helpful tips. Highly recommended.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction and a light read

[Jessi Riel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, useful information for beginning a forest bathing practice. It’s a beautiful book too—I loved the illustrations.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little book! Melanie Choukas-Bradley is a certified nature and forest therapy guide, expert, and author. I love her City of Trees, which I used as a reference book as a landscape designer for 18 years. This is a little bonbon of a book, beautifully written with the author's close observations of nature, and beautifully designed with warm and inviting illustrations by Lieke van der Vorst. It's a very brief guide with the simple basics needed to jumpstart a practice of forest bathing. If you want to learn more about the science and sites of forest bathing in Japan and Korea, for instance, read Florence Williams really wonderful book, The Nature Fix.

[Gofita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun and interesting introduction into forest-bathing. I got some needed inspiration to get out and enjoy nature more often and ways to help me focus.

She provides a basic introduction to forest bathing and the simple ways to practice it while outdoors. She gives ideas on how to do this during each season of the year and ways to complement the practice with meditation or yoga, etc.

The illustrations are also very pretty and calm which add to the feeling of the book.

[Ver · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this 3.5 stars. It was a very calming read and I really enjoyed the illustrations, anecdotes and scientific facts about the benefits nature has on humans.

There were some moments reading this book where I felt like the author was just writing to write, and the writing felt a bit choppy.

It’s a quick read and great for anyone who needs a little inspiration/motivation to go outside and explore!

[Edy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Now that we have accrued so much data showing the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of time spent in nature, we can employ this knowledge in many creative ways to facilitate healing and recovery.”

“When you face a problem with no easy solution, the best thing you can often do is to walk in the woods. Try to clear your mind of ruminative thought, which is why easily done in the presence of flowing water and trees.”

[Zach · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ooph. I hate leaving bad ratings and I rarely leave reviews, but this book stinks. To its credit, the physical book looks nice. Solid construction. Cool cover. Just don't bother opening it.

Spoiler alert: kids, teenagers, adults, AND the elderly will probably enjoy going outside and may experience some sort of vague and unsubstantiated benefit by doing so.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on how to commune with nature. Describing it as the Japanese idea of Shinrin-yoku, the idea of going into nature and really being engulfed in it, sounds appealing, although I doubt I will ever sit down and talk with a tree. The idea of opening yourself to the aspects around you, the smells, the sounds, etc. and getting away from the hectic stressful life we all live, sounds great. I also like how she breaks it down into the different seasons, with tips on each one, and how you can do this if you live in the city, the country, etc. Easy enough for anyone to do, from the avid hiker to the easy walk with a dog. I liked the book overall, but since she brought up the ideas of friluftsliv and waldeinsamkeit I wish she would have expanded on those (Norwegian and German concepts) instead of the focus on the Japanese idea. Would highly recommend this book, and now it's time for a walk.

[Janine Brouillette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku) is a meditative practice, done in many ways, to connect with nature. It is a way to relax, disconnect with the hustle and bustle of the world, and to bathe in the natural calmness of your environment and nature in almost a meditative manner. It is a full sensory immersion to the beauty of nature. It can take place almost anywhere and anytime of the year. Research teams have shown that this can lower your blood pressure, improve mood, and may even improve our immunity. The author divides the book into How to Forest Bathe; How to Forest
Bathe through the Seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn); Compatible Activities such as meditation, yoga, and tai chi; and Forest Tending which is taking are of our surrounding and environment. Very good introductory book with colorful and cheerful pictures.

[Gina Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful book. It is the perfect book to read outside or with all the windows open, the breeze gently moving the curtains.
I never knew there was a word for this particular activity. Ive always loved going camping and hiking because I love being engulfed in nature. Forest bathing is much slower than hiking. This book definitely motivated me to take my own mindful adventure out in nature.
The illustrations in this book are so sweet. I love the color palette and the little illustrations in the borders and margins of the pages. The font is large and easy to read so that I'm not overwhelmed with large blocks of text. This book was just a joy to read!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this delightful little book at the perfect time - contemplating a redo of my backyard. It offers simple ideas and suggestions and a brief history/explanation of forest bathing.

Finding a forest area and benefiting from what nature offers is personal. Convenience/ease of access, seasonal plant growth, wildlife, natural colors . . . all of this and much more should be considered when planning/arranging/finding your forest bathing area. I had not viewed it from this perspective. Now the thought of a circular, shaded . . . personal forest is my goal; but every time I enter a quiet, peaceful forest it will be better appreciated.

Great little gift book!

[Kelly Schulze · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Free review copy from netgalley, all opinions are my own)
Thoroughly enjoyed this and the basic understanding behind it. The way that Melanie writes was calming and smooth. She took all seasons into account, how to dress for each of them and other tips for the seasons. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact though that she included tips for those with limited mobility and ways for them and people in different stages of life to get out and forest bathe. The illustrations added a grand effect to the overall book.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

You feel calmed just reading this book about forest bathing!
BEAUTIFUL illustrations - and lots of them.
And then, the cover is embossed. So the man, dog/wolf and some of the plants on the cover are slightly raised. A good feel in the hand.
Easy to read in one sitting. Chapters by subject - nice to see Winter, of the Four Seasons, get the most attention. Again, her suggestions are a better fit for urban dwellers, particularly on the East Coast. Not a really good fit for Rocky Mountains residents.
But, a book you'll want to go back to!

[Scott Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Joy of Forest Bathing: The Mysterious Japanese Art of Shinrin-Yoku was exactly what it stated, a beginner's guide. The illustrations are endearing and really make this book one to purchase. Would have preferred a more practical introduction and less a personal journal as to why one should try Forest Bathing. However, would still recommend as a fun little book to add to a collection but not the one book to learn how to begin.

[AngryGreyCat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Joy of Forest Bathing is a simplified approach to shinrin-yoku. It includes ideas to engage in the practice and seasonal approaches. A helpful beginning guide with light, less science heavy prose than some other books on the topic. The illustrations are delightful and I can’t for the life of me put my finger on what they remind me of. There is also some beautiful forest photography included.

[Bonnie Westmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so calming and relaxing. Forest bathing has helped me to stay calm and centered since March. I am blessed to be able to walk daily with my dog with Mt. Rainier looking over us. When the fires came recently, and we had to stay inside, I realized how much serenity I get from being outside. This book was a breath of fresh air. It reminded me that we are connected to nature and that our forests, and outdoor spaces are sacred, and must be treated as such.

[Katri Koistinen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kirja oli ehkä suomalaiselle metsässä kasvaneelle Thoreaun koko suomennetun tuotannon lukeneelle tuttua asiaa. Toki hyvää muistutasta miten metsää ja luontoa voi ihmetellä. Teehetken ja runot aion ottaa käyttöön. Jäin miettimään, että ehkä kirjan kohderyhmä olikin luonnosta vieraantuneet tai luonnosta erkaantuneet. Mutta ehkä asiani ovat todella hyvin, jos kirjassa kuvatut asiat tuntuvat minusta itsestään selviltä.

[Kellee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Required reading for PMW 2024.

This book was really cute with the different colors and cute pictures; however, it seemed overly long and drawn out for what it was-a lot of fluff was added.

Information on forest bathing—many ways to enjoy the forest and gain greater grounding in life with spending time in the forest…meditation, playing, exercise, lying down, inspecting everything, feeling gratitude, ability to enjoy at any age, etc.

[Heather Tweed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quick, easy read gives the basics on forest bathing. Read it for tips on immersing yourself a little more in nature if you’re feeling disconnected by constantly rushing from one fluorescent lit place to the next while staring at your phone and driving in wild traffic. Enjoy the pretty pictures and large font; then get outside and relax!

[Mrs. Ruigrok · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely light read to explain the joy and benefits of forest bathing. This idea will help you relieve stress and enjoy nature. This book discusses short and long sessions of forest bathing, forest bathing through the seasons and special situations. A lovely book that's easy to read and nicely explains this practice.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

#TheJoyOfForestBathing #NetGalley

Good illustrations and explanations are the core of the book. Melanie teaches us how to connect with the Forest by doing simple actives that are meaningful for the soul and body.

[Emily Gaska · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pictures were beautiful and that made it worth a quick read. The information in it was flowery and pleasant but at the same time the practice of Forest Bathing is so simple there isn't much to say.
Enjoyable, but nothing substantial here.

[Gwendolyn Caithness Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it so much, I gave 4 copies as gifts! Everything about this edition is SENSUAL; from the textured hard cover to the detailed but sweetly austere way it guides. Contains a small list of references that leads like breadcrumbs to an appropriate further exploration.

[Alley McGlynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet book and a lovely introduction to forest bathing, or Shirin-yoku. I adore Lieke’s illustrations and I enjoyed the author’s passion for connecting with nature. A quick and simple read. 3.5 stars!