Shinrin Yoku

A beautiful book about the natural therapy of nature. Simple advice from taking a slow walk in the woods to the actual science behind it all.

Beautifully written and photographed. Shinrin Yoku is a little peace of art in book form. For anyone in need of deep stress relief, or just a simple walk in the woods. This book has something for all levels and types of hikers and wanders.

A much need reminder to lift your head from your phone. To turn off the tv. To take time to connect with nature to rest yourself.

This is a beautifully written book, full of amazing pictures. Forest Bathing is basically being in a forest, walking through the trees, enjoying the beauty and healing quality of nature. I strongly believe in the healing nature of trees. For me, trees are a symbol of strength, stability and support. I was lucky enough to live in an area of England where forests and wooded areas were plentiful and I always enjoyed walking through these areas, especially on my own. The walks left me feeling less stressed, relaxed and able to face the next challenge.

Very basic introduction to the forest bathing. Explains to the reader the health benefits in a no nonsense clinical way. The history of this practice in Japan is also explained.

This is an amazing read for nature lovers and mediation lovers. We learn the peace and love of life of nature and how ircantruly benefit you

This neat little book is based around a simple concept: we evolved in nature, and stepping back into nature--literally, through the concept of "forest bathing"--can help alleviate some of the stress of modern urban life. On the surface it seems a little obvious; anyone who enjoys camping, gardening, or even walking in the park can tell you that those hobbies help them relax. Here, though, the author presents the research he and his colleagues conducted into what exactly happens in the body when we take a moment to appreciate the natural world.

From the beginning, I already felt drawn into the concept. Just looking at the beautiful photographs of Japanese forests helped me escape my office break room for a few minutes. Living in a desert, I also appreciated the alternatives for people who can't get away to the forest on a regular basis: bonsai, flower arranging, or even essential oils, to name just a few. (Other resources on forest bathing do mention that the specifics of the landscape are less important than getting outdoors, but I don't recall that in this book.) There is a brief section on stretches and physical activity to help get the most out of forest bathing.

Unfortunately, I can't decide if this book covered too much or too little. Many of the concepts felt overdone at times, with certain statistics repeated within one or two pages of each other. On the flip side, the researcher tackles an almost dizzying array of topics, including how to use certain essential oils, the significance of different kinds of wood, and an overview of forest bathing retreats around Japan. I also found the research to be uneven: while some studies were very thoughtfully designed and executed, it seemed like the author exaggerated the implications of others.

This idea is just gaining traction with American audiences, but I think it's a valuable one. We could all use a little more time in nature, and if this book helps inspire someone to do so, I'm glad for it. This book is a pleasant, if ambitious, introduction to forest bathing loaded with beautiful photographs, scientific research, and a wide range of options for those of us who are ready to dive in.

A potent and thought-provoking look at this burgeoning therapy, as well as an excellent exploration of what it means to be a modern, city dwelling human being.

Shinrin Yoku, by Yoshifumi Miyazaki, delves into the scientific research behind forest therapy, or forest bathing. Forest bathing is “the Japanese practice of seeking a deep and meditative connection with nature.” The author has been a forest researcher for many years; he presents a very comprehensive study of forest therapy, from all the different ways we can practice forest therapy and incorporate it in our lives, to all the scientific research performed to back up the results of forest therapy.

This book has beautiful pictures that inspire you to get out immediately and go explore nature. While I enjoyed the book as a whole, I would've liked to see more on how we can use forest bathing in our daily lives. All the scientific studies were interesting, but they weren't very relevant to the general reader; they would've fit in better in a scientific journal.

I love this book. It is simple concept that can make great changes in your life. For me it explains why I love tropical island more than cities and suburban life. The photos are beautiful. I recommend this book wholeheartedly. You will not regret reading it.

I have always been interested in the link between health and nature. This book goes into some of the science and some of the scientists trying to show how being in or around nature can yield positive health benefits.

The book was interesting, though slightly repetitive. My favorite part of the book was the absolutely gorgeous pictures of nature. I wonder if seeing pictures of nature can still yield health benefits? I know I felt more relaxed when looking at the pictures! Though in eBook format, the pictures were sometimes split between screens, which wasn't ideal.

This book definitely makes me want to go to Japan and go to one of the nature programs they have for shinrin yoku. Japan is beautiful!

I would recommend this book if you are interested in health, nature and bio-science. 3 solid stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

This wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I was pleasantly surprised with this beautiful book. I think it will very much appeal to readers of non-American lifestyle/self-help books like "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" and "The Little Book of Hygge," since it captures that warm simplicity that we're missing so much in American culture. I liked that the book not only listed places where you can go to get these experiences in Japan, but also had exercises and practices that you could bring into your own life without having to leave the comfort of your city, or even your house.

I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful book. I always enjoy reading about the link between health and nature. There are so many simple concepts we can do to help us with stress, our health, etc and this book lays them out for us and explains the science behind them. The pictures are absolutely stunning and definitely make me want to go find a park ASAP. I enjoyed that even ideas provided to help people who may live in the city to bring more pieces of nature into their home. Thank you to Netgalley and Timber Press publishing for an ARC copy in exchange for a review.

I've. always felt more centred in nature and this book really explains why. It also gives ways that a person can "recharge" during short breaks during the day. Throughly enjoyed this book.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The pictures in this were gorgeous. Anyone who has an appreciation for nature would especially enjoy this book. While it might not be a hobby that I would pursue, I think others may really enjoy this book.

I love this type of books! The concept spoke straight to my soul and I found myself nodding so many times while reading. I do believe nature is healing and we should spend more time surrounded by trees who have the power to reduce the stress and anxiety in our lives.

Thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for the opportunity to read and review Shinrin Yoku: The Japanese Art of Forest Bathing by Yoshifumi Miyazaki. This book is meant for reducing stress and the title alone relaxes me. Shinrin-yoku, nature therapy and forest therapy both embody “Japan’s Relationship with Nature”. Effects of nature on stress relief and the body are discussed with beautiful photographs interspersed between the scientific information. Information is even given for when getting outdoors to relax isn’t a possibility; tips and tricks that make you feel like you’re really out in nature can be convincing enough to relief stress. A wonderful guide to nature therapy relieves stress just by reading it, 4 stars!

Beautiful book. It educates on the benefits of "forest bathing" while the photos provide just a taste of the experience and remind us of the importance of nature in our busy modern lives.

First, I’d like to say that I absolutely loved this book! It is one of my top three books so far this year. I have been telling everyone who will listen about the things I learned in this book. (I’ve probably annoyed a few people doing it too, but it’s so worth the read!)

What is Shinrin Yoku? It is the art of forest bathing. By bathing, it does not mean getting into water. It means immersing oneself in the experience of being in a forest. It can be for 20 minutes or two hours, but the idea is to get out there in nature. The author is a researcher who has studied the effects of this practice on many people, from stressed-out office workers, to city dwellers, etc. His results are astonishing, but probably not too surprising to those who spend a lot of time in nature.

The benefits are enormous. Lowered stress hormones, improvement in mood, enhanced creativity, lower blood pressure, more energy, improvement of the immune system, better sleep, and more.

The photos throughout the book are fantastic. So beautiful and relaxing! You will want to visit those places. Very appealing artwork!

Studies are shown in the book, along with details of the results. The researchers have published many scientific papers on this subject. Research is supported by the government in Japan too. It is important research and one can hope that the American government would follow this example and fund more research into the benefits of forest and nature therapy.

For those who have no access to a forest, other options are given. Such as growing bonsai or using essential oils. Essential oils mimic the effects of the natural terpenes you would find in a forest. In Japan, many of the trees give off these terpenes and these have been shown by research to help people relax and experience these benefits. But, you don’t need to travel to Japan to experience these benefits. There are many amazing forests in Japan, but there are natural areas all over the world too. Some of the forest therapy places in Japan are documented in the book, should you desire to go visit them. They look beautiful and the photos help the reader see these places.

Other books have written about the effects of nature therapy (Louv’s Last Child in the Woods, and F. Williams’ The Nature Fix come to mind), but this is the first book I’ve read that was written by one of the actual researchers who has studied this firsthand. I enjoyed seeing the actual studies and the results that they documented. They studied a variety of citizens to see if the effects are the same across the board and they seemed to be. Having spent a lot of time in nature myself, I can attest that these techniques really work.

If you want to learn more about how to get these benefits, read this book! I can’t recommend it enough. If more of us would go out in nature and use the methods described here, our overall health would improve, our stress levels would drop and we’d be better off as a whole. I encourage you to try it. You won’t regret it.

Such a peaceful read. The message of communing with trees and nature comes through clearly and he photographs add so much to the mood created while reading the book!

Reading this book is a meditation in itself. The photography is beautiful and an integral part of the experience.

Nature heals, and author Miyazaki demonstrates how an accessible resource enables us to find wholeness in the natural world. Shinrin Yoku points to an outward process of becoming immersed in the sensations brought by nature in the tradition of Soto Zen, “being in the moment.” It is active meditation, and instead of emphasizing an inward approach, the author shows how the power of the forest environment reduces stress and the physical repercussions it imposes. This work includes stunning photography, presented with contemplative quotes and informative pieces on the traditions and aesthetics of numerous cultures.