My reaction to any new endeavor in life is to search for resources to help me better understand the topic. Here is a collection of some of my favorite guides to the practice of Forest Therapy and its significance for improving daily life.
ARTICLES in POPULAR MAGAZINES and PRESS:
“This is Your Brain on Nature” in National Geographic Magazine
“Immerse Yourself in a Forest for Better Health” by The NY Department of Environmental Conservation
“Take Two Hours of Pine Forest and Call Me in the Morning” in Outside Magazine
Doctors Can Now Prescribe a Walk in Nature in Big Think (includes 2 videos)
The Nature Cure: Inside the Health Revolution that Could Change Your Life in Outside Magazine
12 Science-backed Reasons to Spend More Time Outdoors by Business Insider
Amazing Benefits of Hiking–Physical, Mental & Social by Outside How
VIDEO and AUDIO RESOURCES:
Forest Bathing Could be the Fix by Reuters (May 17, 2019)
This Boise Forest Guide Uses Nature to Heal by the Idaho Statesman (June 5, 2019) (video plus article)
The Powerful Prescription of Nature by Kaiser Permanente (fun animated short)
Forest Bathing: a Retreat to Nature Can Boost Immunity and Mood by NPR (article plus link at beginning to audio of this radio segment)
LINKS to RESEARCH STUDIES:
How Nature Can Make You Kinder, Happier, and More Creative by Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center (excellent summary of the benefits of Forest Therapy which also includes many links to research studies)
Forest Bathing: What it is and why you should try it by Kaiser Permanente’s Thrive Blog (another excellent summary which includes links to research studies)
BOOKS about Forest Therapy/Forest Bathing:
Forest Bathing by Dr Qing Li (Great summary of this practice in Japan plus lush photos of nature)
With Nature in Mind: the EcoTherapy Manual for Mental Health Professionals by Andy McGeeney & Lindsay Royan (Not the same discipline as Forest Therapy/Forest Bathing, but has good discussions about the benefits of these practices)
The Outdoor Adventurer’s Guide to Forest Bathing by Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller, MD (how to add experiences of deep nature connection to outdoor activities)
The Joy of Forest Bathing by Melanie Choukas-Bradley (great getting started guide)
BOOKS and WEBSITES I LOVE (and learn from):
The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben (If you get only one book, get this one! It is an easy nature read that offers a paradigm shattering look at how trees communicate and help each other!) Watch a video HERE which captures some of the info in this book. There is now a children’s book with nature activities based on the original book: Can You Hear the Trees Talking?
Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle by Richard Louv
The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier and More Creative by Florence Williams
Resources of the Global Institute of Forest Therapy
Activities and printables for getting kids outside https://wilderchild.com/
Blog about raising outdoor-loving kids www.backwoodsmama.com
These two books have beautiful illustrations and thought provoking questions and activities. Excellent for both children and adults! The Curious Nature Guide by Clare Walker Leslie and The Wildflower Workbook by Katie Daisy
Finally, (is it selfish to point you to my own offerings?) I hope you enjoy a getting started blog post of mine HERE and my Instagram account where I offer nature photos and invitations to connect with nature–in the wild, in your local park, and from your window?
The Big Epic 