"In all her years of leading traditional nature walks, [Author and Naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley] writes in The Joy of Forest Bathing, the moments that meant the most to her 'were the times of collective reverence, when everyone grew quiet, surrendering to the beauty and wonder of the moment. On a traditional nature walk, such moments may occur occasionally. On a forest bathing walk, however, quiet surrender to beauty and wonder is the essence of the experience.' That surrender isn't just pleasurable, it is good for people's mental and physical health, according to Choukas-Bradley. Research shows 'that forest bathing lowers your blood pressure, pulse rate, and cortisol levels; increases heart rate variability (a good thing); and improves mood,' she writes." -- April Witt * Bethesda Magazine * "-This read takes you through the history of forest bathing along with practical tips, inspiration and activities." -- Christine Copelan * Parade * "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 * "The practice of Shinrin-yoku-forest bathing-is a much-loved ritual in the Japanese calendar. In this guide, sweetly illustrated by Lieke van der Vorst, Choukas-Bradley explains how ditching the demands of daily life for a couple of hours and letting ourselves fully engage with the sights and sounds of nature can leave us refreshed and rejuvenated. All that's needed is a small patch of untamed wildness-the aim is not to stomp for miles, but to savour the treasures of the season slowly-and let a world of falling leaves, oaks and acorns, remind us of 'the excitement of migration and the pull of hearth and home.'" * PressReader * "Feeling stressed? Of course you are. The news in this very paper probably raises your blood pressure daily. Wait, don't stop reading. There's another solution: forest bathing. This trendy new way to chill comes from Japan, where it's known as 'shinrin-yoku' and has long been prescribed for a variety of ills - and for good reason. Studies suggest forest bathing might lower the risk for Type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. Best of all, it's easy to do. Just find some woodsy area and take a walk - but not a fast walk. Stop and sit at the foot of a tree, or lie down in a pile of newly fallen leaves...My favorite local naturalist, Melanie Choukas-Bradley, leads regular forest bathing walks...Check out her new book, The Joy of Forest Bathing: Reconnect With Wild Places & Rejuvenate Your Life, which offers simple, practical ways to try forest bathing on your own." -- Sadie Dingfelder * Washington Post Express *