Wild Walking: A Guide to Forest Bathing Through the Seasons

Disconnect from the distractions of daily life and reconnect with nature with Wild Walking, an enticing and comprehensive introduction to forest bathing--or shinrin-yoku, in Japan.

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.

Wild Walking 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 steps:

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.

Wild Walking 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 and immersive artwork, Wild Walking is the perfect guide to enhancing your life with the wondrous world of nature.

Melanie Choukas-Bradley is an award-winning nature book author and Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide (Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs). Melanie leads forest bathing walks and tree tours for the Audubon Naturalist Society, the United States Botanic Garden, Smithsonian Associates, the Rock Creek Conservancy, the Nature Conservancy, Casey Trees, Politics & Prose, the Aspen Institute and other organizations. She is the author of the award-winning book, A Year in Rock Creek Park: The Wild, Wooded Heart of Washington, DC, and City of Trees. Melanie has traveled throughout Japan, participating in forest bathing walks led by shinrin-yoku guides.