A simple antidote to our nature-starved lives, The Joy of Forest Bathingis an enticing and comprehensive introduction to forest bathing — shinrin-yoku, in Japanese — 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.
Illustrated by Lieke van der Vorst
Praise for the Book
“The Joy of Forest Bathing brilliantly melds Melanie Choukas-Bradley’s naturalist detail and her innate and learned observational skills of all that surrounds her. I love that she can’t help but share her fascination with budbreak. I love how she reminds us to engage our senses, and to unplug, unwind, and indulge. Melanie makes the act of forest bathing accessible to us all, regardless of age or ability. Bravo!”
— Robert Zarr, MD, MPH, Founder, Park Rx America
— Robert Zarr, MD, MPH, Founder, Park Rx America
“Melanie Choukas-Bradley is a nature and forest therapy guide whose new book, The Joy of Forest Bathing: Reconnect with Wild Places & Rejuvenate Your Life, is a pitch-perfect guide about how to use nature to center yourself and to help you bolster a sense of self.”
— Claiborne Smith, Editor in Chief, Kirkus Reviews
— Claiborne Smith, Editor in Chief, Kirkus Reviews
“Reading The Joy of Forest Bathing works a bit of magic: I feel the presence of the forest and of the peace of the wild things who live there. Melanie Choukas-Bradley has given us more than a how-to book; she also inspires us with gentle guidance and her own joy, which illuminates every page. This book is a true delight that should be on the shelf of every nature lover.”
— Amos Clifford, Founder, Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs
— Amos Clifford, Founder, Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs
“Last summer, when a friend tipped us off to a new book called ‘The Joy of Forest Bathing: Reconnect with Wild Places & Rejuvenate Your Life’ by Melanie Choukas-Bradley, we knew that we had to get a copy. When it arrived it felt like a handcrafted gift from a dear friend. The book’s cover, and interior illustrations (by Lieke van der Vorst) are absolutely charming and delightful, and they entice you to make a pot of tea, pull on a warm blanket, and dive into its pages. More importantly, the book’s lovely and delicate prose will inspire you to go on your own forest bathing walk.”
— Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi, RV Family Travel Atlas blog and podcast
— Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi, RV Family Travel Atlas blog and podcast