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The Wild Remedy: How Nature Mends Us - A Diary
Emma Mitchell has suffered with depression - or as she calls it, 'the grey slug' - for twenty-five years. In 2003, she moved from the city to the edge of the Cambridgeshire Fens and began to take walks in the countryside around her new home, photographing, collecting and drawing as she went. Each walk lifted her mood, proving to be as medicinal as any talking therapy or pharmaceutical.
In Emma's hand-illustrated diary, she takes us with her as she follows the paths and trails around her cottage and further afield, sharing her nature finds and tracking the lives of local flora and fauna over the course of a year. Reflecting on how these encounters impact her mood, Emma's moving and candid account of her own struggles is a powerful testament to how reconnecting with nature may offer some answers to today's mental health epidemic. While charting her own seasonal highs and lows, she also explains the science behind such changes, calling on new research into such areas as forest bathing and the ways in which our bodies and minds respond to plants and wildlife when we venture outdoors.
Written with Emma's characteristic wit and frankness, and filled with her beautiful drawings, paintings and photography, this is a truly unique book for anyone who has ever felt drawn to nature and wondered about its influence over us.
In Emma's hand-illustrated diary, she takes us with her as she follows the paths and trails around her cottage and further afield, sharing her nature finds and tracking the lives of local flora and fauna over the course of a year. Reflecting on how these encounters impact her mood, Emma's moving and candid account of her own struggles is a powerful testament to how reconnecting with nature may offer some answers to today's mental health epidemic. While charting her own seasonal highs and lows, she also explains the science behind such changes, calling on new research into such areas as forest bathing and the ways in which our bodies and minds respond to plants and wildlife when we venture outdoors.
Written with Emma's characteristic wit and frankness, and filled with her beautiful drawings, paintings and photography, this is a truly unique book for anyone who has ever felt drawn to nature and wondered about its influence over us.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published December 27, 2018
136 people are currently reading
3346 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
January 12, 2022
I received a gifted copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Lovebookstours.
The Wild Remedy is an absolutely beautiful book from start to finish. This book reminds us and encourages us to open our eyes and see what's all around us and find the beauty in every little living thing no matter how big or small.
This book is about the authors journey through depression and how the natural world around us, along with her family, friends and beloved dog, helped bring her back from such a dark place. Nature helped Emma heal and lift the darkness away and this book is her recount of how. It wasn't clear sailing and Emma did have up and down days but her journey was so beautiful to share in this book. Each page has either beautiful illustrations or photographs taken by Emma and has made me want to get out and discover nature more myself. As a sufferer of depression I could resonate with so much in this book and will try when I can to get out more in the natural world myself.
The book shows each season, spring, summer autumn and winter across the course of this diary. A beautiful book everyone could learn something from for sure.
The Wild Remedy is an absolutely beautiful book from start to finish. This book reminds us and encourages us to open our eyes and see what's all around us and find the beauty in every little living thing no matter how big or small.
This book is about the authors journey through depression and how the natural world around us, along with her family, friends and beloved dog, helped bring her back from such a dark place. Nature helped Emma heal and lift the darkness away and this book is her recount of how. It wasn't clear sailing and Emma did have up and down days but her journey was so beautiful to share in this book. Each page has either beautiful illustrations or photographs taken by Emma and has made me want to get out and discover nature more myself. As a sufferer of depression I could resonate with so much in this book and will try when I can to get out more in the natural world myself.
The book shows each season, spring, summer autumn and winter across the course of this diary. A beautiful book everyone could learn something from for sure.
March 18, 2019
Depression is a horrid illness that can thrive unseen in the people around us. Unless they are a very close friend or family member, it is only as the person suffering reaches the very limit of what they can tolerate that most of us come aware of their suffering. Emma Mitchell is one of those who has suffered from depression for over two decades. Sixteen years ago she moved from the city to the edge of the fens with the hope of overcoming 'the grey slug' as she has named her depression in her new environment. However, just over a year ago, it was back with a vengeance and it took her to one of her lowest points ever, right to the edge of the abyss.
This is her story of how she came back from that place with the help of her family and friends, her dog, Annie and most of all, the natural world. She is searingly honest in her account of the lowest points in her battle with the illness as she almost became a hermit. As she gains the courage to head outside once again, the healing power of nature combined with the medicine that she was taking begun to lift her out of her gloom.
Her journey back to better health was not without struggle, some days were much better and other days were bleak. As the days lengthen she begins to take longer walks with Annie, heads out with a friend to attempt to find glow worms or out to try and see a murmuration at dusk one night. Each sighting of one of the local flora and fauna such as an owl or butterfly raises her spirits little by little.
She has an eye for the inherent beauty in nature and this is what makes this an utterly glorious book. It is full of her own art sketches and photographs of the beautiful things that she has discovered as she goes out and about around her local area. But there is much more to it than this, through her recovery she is proving what science is confirming now, that we need exposure to the natural world for our essential and deep-rooted well being.
This is her story of how she came back from that place with the help of her family and friends, her dog, Annie and most of all, the natural world. She is searingly honest in her account of the lowest points in her battle with the illness as she almost became a hermit. As she gains the courage to head outside once again, the healing power of nature combined with the medicine that she was taking begun to lift her out of her gloom.
Her journey back to better health was not without struggle, some days were much better and other days were bleak. As the days lengthen she begins to take longer walks with Annie, heads out with a friend to attempt to find glow worms or out to try and see a murmuration at dusk one night. Each sighting of one of the local flora and fauna such as an owl or butterfly raises her spirits little by little.
She has an eye for the inherent beauty in nature and this is what makes this an utterly glorious book. It is full of her own art sketches and photographs of the beautiful things that she has discovered as she goes out and about around her local area. But there is much more to it than this, through her recovery she is proving what science is confirming now, that we need exposure to the natural world for our essential and deep-rooted well being.
March 22, 2019
This is one of those books that not only looks good - it's packed full of beautiful drawings and photos - but it's also a wonderful reminder of what is around us all if we just take the time to look. You don't need to travel far to see something, or even just to hear the sound of bird song in your back garden, it all works in a way to help detract our minds from the negative aspects of life and can set us back on a more positive outlook on life no matter what we are going through in our personal lives.
I really connected with this book through the positive aspect that I've discovered of gardening and nature while I've suffer with the illness M.E. It is a very isolating and lonely illness at times, and there are many days when, like the author with her depression, leaving the house is impossible or a major struggle and just by spending a few minutes out in the garden looking at new things growing, or hearing the birds sing can make such a big impact on your frame of mind for the rest of the day. Having something different to focus on instead of concentrating on what your brain is telling you is so powerful and often better than any medicine you can take, and I'm truly grateful for all things green everyday now, especially when the world we live in is seemingly becoming more grey and full of concrete.
In this book, the author takes us through her diary month by month to share her honest and frank experiences of how the depression affects her way of life and the way she thinks, and how each month she notices different things around her in nature which she draws, collects, takes photos of - it's the little things in life that give you hope and clarity and she shows how much the importance of noticing the smallest things can give the biggest amount of joy. I loved the touches of humour too that she puts in - and the importance of Annie, her canine companion, in getting her out of the house when it all feels too much.
I've always taken photos of things around me that I see, but this book has inspired me to notice more and also start collecting leaves and flowers to press to keep an even more satisfying record of the world around us to help lift my spirits on the darker days when I'm unable to get out and about and this book is a beautiful reminder of how something as simple as birdsong, or the first signs of Spring can be so rewarding and a real benefit to your mental well-being and I highly recommend it as a must have on any bookshelf
I really connected with this book through the positive aspect that I've discovered of gardening and nature while I've suffer with the illness M.E. It is a very isolating and lonely illness at times, and there are many days when, like the author with her depression, leaving the house is impossible or a major struggle and just by spending a few minutes out in the garden looking at new things growing, or hearing the birds sing can make such a big impact on your frame of mind for the rest of the day. Having something different to focus on instead of concentrating on what your brain is telling you is so powerful and often better than any medicine you can take, and I'm truly grateful for all things green everyday now, especially when the world we live in is seemingly becoming more grey and full of concrete.
In this book, the author takes us through her diary month by month to share her honest and frank experiences of how the depression affects her way of life and the way she thinks, and how each month she notices different things around her in nature which she draws, collects, takes photos of - it's the little things in life that give you hope and clarity and she shows how much the importance of noticing the smallest things can give the biggest amount of joy. I loved the touches of humour too that she puts in - and the importance of Annie, her canine companion, in getting her out of the house when it all feels too much.
I've always taken photos of things around me that I see, but this book has inspired me to notice more and also start collecting leaves and flowers to press to keep an even more satisfying record of the world around us to help lift my spirits on the darker days when I'm unable to get out and about and this book is a beautiful reminder of how something as simple as birdsong, or the first signs of Spring can be so rewarding and a real benefit to your mental well-being and I highly recommend it as a must have on any bookshelf
January 12, 2022
In this book Emma Mitchell takes us on her nature walks with this beautiful illustrated diary of the nature and plants she finds along her walks to help her with her mental health. She writes down how the nature around her helps with her mood and mental health, and documents her ups and downs with living with a mental health condition. Emma encourages the scientific community to conduct more research into more areas where the human body and mind responses to plants and wildlife when we’re outside, and what impact that has on us.
I loved reading through this book, Emma’s journey to get control of her condition and get back to better health was documented in this book, and just like anyone else, she had her ups and downs along the way. The one consistent throughout all of this, was how her walks lifted her spirits. I just couldn’t put this book down, as someone that suffers with an anxiety condition I really connected with Emma through her words, and she’s absolutely right, sometimes when the world is just too much I go for a wander through my local woods and it calms me down.
Highly recommend this to anyone that loves nature and the outdoors, or would like a nice self help book to get stuck into.
Thank you to the author, publisher and lovebookstours for gifting me a copy as part of a blog tour.
I loved reading through this book, Emma’s journey to get control of her condition and get back to better health was documented in this book, and just like anyone else, she had her ups and downs along the way. The one consistent throughout all of this, was how her walks lifted her spirits. I just couldn’t put this book down, as someone that suffers with an anxiety condition I really connected with Emma through her words, and she’s absolutely right, sometimes when the world is just too much I go for a wander through my local woods and it calms me down.
Highly recommend this to anyone that loves nature and the outdoors, or would like a nice self help book to get stuck into.
Thank you to the author, publisher and lovebookstours for gifting me a copy as part of a blog tour.
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June 6, 2020Mitchell's book is a month-by-month observation of nature . . . and her experiences of depression. It's a soothing read, though the subtitle is a little misleading. It's less about how nature heals and more about the experiences Mitchell has with nature helping HER through depression (and in this particular year, it's not as she usually experiences). It's a nice read, easy, and the design with art and photography is pretty.
June 16, 2019
This is a beautiful book, in terms of its execution: Emma's drawings and photographs are gorgeous and give the book such a unique feel. The text, on the other hand, wasn't as interesting for me as I'd hoped. A more personal, more open approach perhaps would have helped relate to her story, but without it the book just feels like a generic description of flora and fauna.
October 17, 2021
A raw and honest account of the authors struggle with mental health and how she believes engaging with nature was for her a therapeutic remedy.
The author details a year and how month to month the nature and her mood change.
She backs up her points with beautiful illustrations and photographs.
It's uplifting and special.
The author details a year and how month to month the nature and her mood change.
She backs up her points with beautiful illustrations and photographs.
It's uplifting and special.
August 20, 2020
Theoretically this book should have connected strongly with me as I too find comfort in nature, yet there is something missing and I can't put my finger on what it is. Will have a ponder.
October 1, 2020
A bit too charming, a bit too soul baring, not to my taste. Which surprised me because I agree with the author in general. Cloying yet joyless.
January 15, 2022
This book is full of beautiful and descriptive writing. Vivid drawings and detailed photographs are included that capture the essence of nature for that time of the year.
I could almost hear the birdsong and see the colours of nature described in each month’s writing and it made me feel I could touch or smell the trees and grasses.
This is a timely reminder that we’re connected to and should protect nature and our environment. An inspirational read about how the colours, sounds and smells of nature and wildlife can help with our own mental health and well-being. Emma Mitchell is honest about her own struggles and how that little connection with nature is sometimes all that is needed to lift her from the darkness.
I could almost hear the birdsong and see the colours of nature described in each month’s writing and it made me feel I could touch or smell the trees and grasses.
This is a timely reminder that we’re connected to and should protect nature and our environment. An inspirational read about how the colours, sounds and smells of nature and wildlife can help with our own mental health and well-being. Emma Mitchell is honest about her own struggles and how that little connection with nature is sometimes all that is needed to lift her from the darkness.
December 16, 2019
Another beautiful book by Emma Mitchell. I’ve marked it down a star just because it doesn’t quite match ‘Making Winter’ for a relaxing & useful read. Contains just a little bit too much reality and not quite enough crafts & makes. Not the escapist read I was quite looking for but still very lovely.
April 14, 2022
This was an absolutely gorgeous diary that walked us through all of the seasons in England. Told by Emma Mitchell, we experience the fauna and flora she discovers in her backyard and neighboring villages. Her descriptions of nature are so beautiful as are the photographs and sketches she captured along the way. She shares her experiences with depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder and how nature helped give her light in the dark and gloomy months of the year. I read this book outside and it really helped set the scene! Surely an inspirational read that will get you outside.
April 5, 2020
A deeply personal account of the author’s battle with depression. She writes about her encounters in nature and how they help her to manage her symptoms. I found the author’s writing beautiful and soothing to the heart; which I especially appreciated during these troubled times. In addition, the book is filled with stunning photography and artwork by the author. I hope to reread this book again to pick me up during the winter months.
September 9, 2019
A simple and beautifully written book. She is frank and open in talking about her depression and its debilitating impact on her life. Her connection to nature and its healing effect is inspiring, as are her beautiful illustrations. I was struck by her attention to detail as she describes the intimate beauty of the nature around her.
October 29, 2020
This is a comforting book. It's filled with well-crafted illustrations and photographs alongside the writing. Emma Mitchell also lives in the part of England where I am from (intersection of Norfolk/Suffolk/Cambs), so many of the places and descriptions of the flora & fauna were familiar.
Early on, Mitchell acknowledges the importance, for her, of medication and therapy as a basis for treating mental illness, and how the nature walks are an extra where she gets the additional benefit of experiencing a the 'state of noticing'. I was relieved about this, because unfortunately, "go for a walk!" has become a bit of a similar refrain to "just do some yoga!" when it comes to dealing with depression, anxiety, etc.
However, it's hard to overlook the fact that the book is very white and middle-class, in that Mitchell's toolkit for managing her condition includes resources (e.g. therapy sessions, a car) that so many in Britain do not have access to, due to systemic barriers like classism/racism or being time-poor. At one point she is in a position to turn down freelance work because she is so ill.
Also, 'simply looking [at nature] out of your kitchen window' (as an alternative to actually going out) is just not always going to be applicable to people living in densely populated urban areas! So while this is just one person's journal, certain presumptuous statements stuck out a bit.
I recommend it if you like slow, meditative books and are keen on the idea of walking and observing nature to heal, but still find it all a bit vague and are not really sure what to look out for. I was particularly inspired by the idea of shinrin-yoku (tree bathing).
Early on, Mitchell acknowledges the importance, for her, of medication and therapy as a basis for treating mental illness, and how the nature walks are an extra where she gets the additional benefit of experiencing a the 'state of noticing'. I was relieved about this, because unfortunately, "go for a walk!" has become a bit of a similar refrain to "just do some yoga!" when it comes to dealing with depression, anxiety, etc.
However, it's hard to overlook the fact that the book is very white and middle-class, in that Mitchell's toolkit for managing her condition includes resources (e.g. therapy sessions, a car) that so many in Britain do not have access to, due to systemic barriers like classism/racism or being time-poor. At one point she is in a position to turn down freelance work because she is so ill.
Also, 'simply looking [at nature] out of your kitchen window' (as an alternative to actually going out) is just not always going to be applicable to people living in densely populated urban areas! So while this is just one person's journal, certain presumptuous statements stuck out a bit.
I recommend it if you like slow, meditative books and are keen on the idea of walking and observing nature to heal, but still find it all a bit vague and are not really sure what to look out for. I was particularly inspired by the idea of shinrin-yoku (tree bathing).
January 17, 2022
The Wild Remedy is written in the style of a monthly diary where the author chronicles how the time of the year impacts her mental health but also provides opportunities to heal by being in nature. Mitchell is very open about living with depression for the last 25 years and that the winter months can be the toughest time of the year for her. Documenting the changes in the seasons through her writing, photographs and illustrations alongside reflections on her mood and motivations is really powerful and whilst this isn’t a self help book there are definitely ideas in here to help keep your mental health in check.
So much of this book resonated with me as I know that getting outside, walking my dog and being creative are essential for my mood - although sometimes it’s not always easy to motivate myself. This quote really summed up how I can feel and there’s definitely a comfort in knowing you’re not alone:
“It’s the third week of November and the weather is dank. For me, there’s a constant mental battle between what my depression would like me to do on days like this and the activities I know will lift it.”
If you’re interested in reading mental health stories, learning more about nature and perhaps getting some tips of improving your own mood then I’d definitely recommend this book. I think it’s the type of book I’ll dip into at different times of the year for inspiration and to give myself a little boost!
So much of this book resonated with me as I know that getting outside, walking my dog and being creative are essential for my mood - although sometimes it’s not always easy to motivate myself. This quote really summed up how I can feel and there’s definitely a comfort in knowing you’re not alone:
“It’s the third week of November and the weather is dank. For me, there’s a constant mental battle between what my depression would like me to do on days like this and the activities I know will lift it.”
If you’re interested in reading mental health stories, learning more about nature and perhaps getting some tips of improving your own mood then I’d definitely recommend this book. I think it’s the type of book I’ll dip into at different times of the year for inspiration and to give myself a little boost!
March 13, 2021
This is a really lovely book and I can't recommend it highly enough. Emma Mitchell writes honestly and vividly about how debilitating her depression is, and her description of nature and wildlife and how healing it can be is beautiful. The drawings and photos are absolutely gorgeous.
September 17, 2025
this book was quite lovely, and a good reminder to go outside when I am sad which I have been of late. it made me realise how fucked the world has become since 2020 which did not help with the sad feeling.
July 1, 2020
Lovely book that contains beautiful drawings and photos, and wise and personal writing about the year cycle and its significance to mental health. A wonderful read.
January 13, 2024
Beautiful book filled with gorgeous pictures of nature and a guide to the seasons. I love the information in it and the way in which it was written! 🥰
July 9, 2020
This is a beautifully crafted book. The illustrations, photographs and the overall composition were so wholesome and wonderful to look at. This book is a kind of summarized diary of the author of how she explores nature throughout the year while battleing depression. It was insightful and very calm, showing us the patience and very detail oriented eye that Emma Mitchell has for her surroundings. The way she looks at and interacts with nature is something to admire, as is her constant fight with the illness that a lot of us - including me - are familiar with.
Unfortunately this book was not really for me. I don't know if I read it at the wrong time maybe, but I found myself not very engaged with it. I sometimes even forgot that I was reading it and were about to read something else instead. And when I read it, it just could not keep my attention. It made me sad, because I really wanted to love this book, it has taught me a few things and I can only imagine the work that went into creating these pages. But I found myself almost bored, sometimes skipping paragraphs and just not being captivated.
I still appreciate this book a lot and would 100% give it to someone as a gift, but for me it just wasn't the right book.
Unfortunately this book was not really for me. I don't know if I read it at the wrong time maybe, but I found myself not very engaged with it. I sometimes even forgot that I was reading it and were about to read something else instead. And when I read it, it just could not keep my attention. It made me sad, because I really wanted to love this book, it has taught me a few things and I can only imagine the work that went into creating these pages. But I found myself almost bored, sometimes skipping paragraphs and just not being captivated.
I still appreciate this book a lot and would 100% give it to someone as a gift, but for me it just wasn't the right book.
October 11, 2019
What a gorgeously written and illustrated book. Heartbreakingly honest and straight-forward, the author explains how nature can heal us even on the darkest of days. I especially enjoyed the way the book was broken down month-by-month. Highly recommended for anyone who might need just a nudge to connect with nature on a deeper level.
After reading this book, when I am out for walks in any kind of weather I am going to turn a sharper eye and ear to what I am seeing and hearing, especially in the bleakest winter months when the world sometimes seems to appear in shades of gray. Emma Mitchell explains that beauty in nature is always there if you look carefully.
After reading this book, when I am out for walks in any kind of weather I am going to turn a sharper eye and ear to what I am seeing and hearing, especially in the bleakest winter months when the world sometimes seems to appear in shades of gray. Emma Mitchell explains that beauty in nature is always there if you look carefully.
April 1, 2023
I thought I’d really love this as daily walking and searching for beauty was exactly what helped me get through major depression. However this book reads like an overly simple journal. She went here. Went there. Saw that bird. Collected a pine cone. Felt depressed. Felt a little better.
What I had really hoped for was more of a mix of observation, self-reflection, philosophical musings in nature, and perhaps some scientific method?
Nature writing is a tough balance to strike. Unfortunately this one’s various notes never made me sing.
What I had really hoped for was more of a mix of observation, self-reflection, philosophical musings in nature, and perhaps some scientific method?
Nature writing is a tough balance to strike. Unfortunately this one’s various notes never made me sing.
December 23, 2021
Such a beautiful book. There is nothing more comforting as one travels through their own Dark Night of the Soul than listening to someone else’s! I love the suggestion to move outside to help deal with depressions, especially for those that are brought about by a lack of value, meaning and purpose in life (ie Psychospiritual).
January 17, 2021
I was so excited for this book, and maybe should have avoided reading back-to-back naturalist memoirs, but I was disappointed by this one. The descriptions of plants and animals were lovely but the narrative was uneven. Lovely illustrations though.
October 26, 2021
I can't bring myself to care for this self-important account of her dog rolling in various animals' dung. Didn't get past the first, cloying and precious chapter.
January 7, 2019
T sent me a link to Emma Mitchell's new book, The Wild Remedy, last week, saying he'd seen people talking about it on social media and thought I might be interested though he wasn't sure if it would really tell me anything I didn't already know, given that getting outside and walking is already one of the main things I do to manage my mental health. I was interested enough to pop into Blackwells to have a look at it, and then Waterstones the following day because Blackwells didn't have it, and liked the look of it enough to buy a copy and read it over the weekend.
The Wild Remedy is subtitled How Nature Mends Us - A Diary, and it's Mitchell's chronicle of her interactions with nature - dog-walking, views from kitchen and car windows, trips to the seaside with friends - and their effects on her mental health over a year. It begins in October, as the light starts to fail and Mitchell's SAD symptoms begin to manifest, and follows her through the difficult winter months and a major crash in early spring, and then a gradual recovery as spring and summer progressed. I had been a little worried that the book would turn out to be suggesting exposure to nature as a one-size-fits-all solution to mental health problems, but in fact Mitchell is very clear that nature is not a substitute for medication or talking therapies; instead, she advocates it as a way to maintain balance and address smaller fluctations in mood, backing up her argument with references to research suggesting that being outdoors in the countryside has a measurable effect on brain chemistry. Her interactions with nature are mainly of the everyday kind accessible to just about anyone; hedgerow flowers and fruit, garden birds and local woodlands, and even rarer events such as a murmuration of starlings near the East Anglian coast, or a trip to seek out orchids in a nature reserve in Derbyshire, are nothing like as far off the beaten track as those described in a lot of nature writing.
It's a very beautiful book, printed on lovely glossy paper, with the text accompanied by photographs and drawings of plants, birds, insects and more. One of the reasons I bought it in hardback was that it didn't feel like a book that would work half as well in paperback or ebook, without the coloured plates and marginal illustrations. It's beautifully written, as well; the descriptions are clear and vivid and I really felt I could visualise the scenes Mitchell was describing. If I have a complaint, it's that it did feel rather slight; the book is less than 200 pages, and more than 10% of those are full-page illustrations or chapter titles. I read it in two days and really wished that there had been twice as much of it.
The Wild Remedy is subtitled How Nature Mends Us - A Diary, and it's Mitchell's chronicle of her interactions with nature - dog-walking, views from kitchen and car windows, trips to the seaside with friends - and their effects on her mental health over a year. It begins in October, as the light starts to fail and Mitchell's SAD symptoms begin to manifest, and follows her through the difficult winter months and a major crash in early spring, and then a gradual recovery as spring and summer progressed. I had been a little worried that the book would turn out to be suggesting exposure to nature as a one-size-fits-all solution to mental health problems, but in fact Mitchell is very clear that nature is not a substitute for medication or talking therapies; instead, she advocates it as a way to maintain balance and address smaller fluctations in mood, backing up her argument with references to research suggesting that being outdoors in the countryside has a measurable effect on brain chemistry. Her interactions with nature are mainly of the everyday kind accessible to just about anyone; hedgerow flowers and fruit, garden birds and local woodlands, and even rarer events such as a murmuration of starlings near the East Anglian coast, or a trip to seek out orchids in a nature reserve in Derbyshire, are nothing like as far off the beaten track as those described in a lot of nature writing.
It's a very beautiful book, printed on lovely glossy paper, with the text accompanied by photographs and drawings of plants, birds, insects and more. One of the reasons I bought it in hardback was that it didn't feel like a book that would work half as well in paperback or ebook, without the coloured plates and marginal illustrations. It's beautifully written, as well; the descriptions are clear and vivid and I really felt I could visualise the scenes Mitchell was describing. If I have a complaint, it's that it did feel rather slight; the book is less than 200 pages, and more than 10% of those are full-page illustrations or chapter titles. I read it in two days and really wished that there had been twice as much of it.
June 16, 2020
Depression steals a person's ability to enjoy all aspects of life, and when it affects social interaction the result is isolation. This erodes social confidence further: it is a vicious circle that can be difficult to break, strengthening the hold that the illness had on the mind.
Emma Mitchell, the popular naturalist, designer, maker and illustrator, suffers from depression. This book diarises a year in her life as she explores the relationship between nature and wellbeing. She weaves in the latest studies into the effects of the chemicals released by plants and soil on brain chemistry and how they can boost mood and energy levels.
Danish philosopher, poet and theologian, Søren Kierkegaard, exulted a daily stroll: 'Every day I walk myself into a state of wellbeing and walk away from every illness; I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.'
The result is a interesting journey into the natural wonders that each month brings, the plants that erupt into bloom, the creatures that appear or disappear, the changes that each season brings.
This is a must read for any fans of Springwatch, Autumnwatch, or Countryfile, the latter of which Emma has been featured on. Chris Packham also recommended the book on the most recent series of Springwatch, 2020.
Emma Mitchell, the popular naturalist, designer, maker and illustrator, suffers from depression. This book diarises a year in her life as she explores the relationship between nature and wellbeing. She weaves in the latest studies into the effects of the chemicals released by plants and soil on brain chemistry and how they can boost mood and energy levels.
Danish philosopher, poet and theologian, Søren Kierkegaard, exulted a daily stroll: 'Every day I walk myself into a state of wellbeing and walk away from every illness; I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.'
The result is a interesting journey into the natural wonders that each month brings, the plants that erupt into bloom, the creatures that appear or disappear, the changes that each season brings.
This is a must read for any fans of Springwatch, Autumnwatch, or Countryfile, the latter of which Emma has been featured on. Chris Packham also recommended the book on the most recent series of Springwatch, 2020.
November 6, 2020
The Wild Remedy by Emma Mitchell is a beautiful book, which captures the way in which nature can help us in every way. Emma has suffered with depression for a long time (over 25 years) and found that when she started to take walks around her home in the Cambridgeshire Fens she found that they helped lift her mood. Emma began to photograph, drawing and collecting on her walks. Something I like to do myself, apart from the drawing, as I am really rubbish. Emma found that this activity greatly contributed to a feeling of wellness.
This book, set out as a diary takes each month in turn, where she records her walks, with drawing, photos and observations on nature and her depression. She tracks the nature in her area month by month over the course of a year. Emma is extremely honest and open about her depression, and she details how reconnecting with nature has helped greatly with her mental health.
I really enjoyed this book, I think that connecting with nature, walking outside is very important to our state of mind. I also enjoy seasonal walks, there is always beauty to be found in the world, even in the depths of winter. I love taking photos and always collect leaves, seeds etc for my dresser. A lovely book and a joy to read.
This book, set out as a diary takes each month in turn, where she records her walks, with drawing, photos and observations on nature and her depression. She tracks the nature in her area month by month over the course of a year. Emma is extremely honest and open about her depression, and she details how reconnecting with nature has helped greatly with her mental health.
I really enjoyed this book, I think that connecting with nature, walking outside is very important to our state of mind. I also enjoy seasonal walks, there is always beauty to be found in the world, even in the depths of winter. I love taking photos and always collect leaves, seeds etc for my dresser. A lovely book and a joy to read.
January 20, 2021
This book offers a peek into the mind of a woman who, on the outside, looks to have everything she needs to be happy; yet she suffers from a debilitating depression that peaks in the darker months. She uses her connection to nature as a lifeline. It is not prescriptive nor does the author attempt to minimize the importance of medical support for mental health. Instead, it is an invitation to reconnect with nature as sympathetic medicine for body and mind. If nothing else, her sketches and drawings may inspire you to observe the way the natural world cycles through the seasons.
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