A natural, sensory method validated by science to restore balance, breath… and yourself. Adapted for North American forests — from the Adirondacks to the Pacific Northwest.
$19.95
Forest bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku in Japanese, is the therapeutic practice of immersing yourself mindfully among trees. Developed in Japan in the 1980s, it is not hiking or exercise — it is the art of being fully present, awakening your five senses to the forest: touching bark, breathing phytoncides, listening to the canopy. A gentle, free, and accessible form of natural therapy.
Research from Chiba University (Japan) shows that two hours of Shinrin-Yoku can significantly reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone), slow heart rate, and lower blood pressure. Forests emit phytoncides — volatile organic compounds — that stimulate Natural Killer (NK) cells in the immune system, with effects lasting up to 30 days. Regular practice also improves sleep quality, reduces anxiety, and enhances mental clarity.
Yes. This edition has been specifically localized for North American forests — featuring tree species from the Adirondacks to the Pacific Northwest: Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus), Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), and more. Testimonials, locations, and practical exercises are all tailored for US and Canadian readers.
A tree-covered park is enough to begin, especially in urban areas. The quality of your presence matters more than the density of vegetation. A true forest offers higher concentrations of phytoncides and a deeper experience, but even an hour in a city park produces measurable effects on stress and mood.
Inside the book you will find a QR code giving you access to a free digital companion app ($14.99 value): emotional journal to track your feelings before and after each session, GPS mapping of your forest walks, tree identification by photo, voice memos, and guided exercises. It works 100% offline, requires no account and no subscription.
$19.95 on Amazon.com in paperback format. Includes the free companion app via QR code. ISBN: 979-8197041203.
Genre
Health & Wellness · Nature
Market
🇺🇸 United States
Price
$19.95
Topics
Forest Therapy · Shinrin-Yoku · Mindfulness
Format
Paperback (Amazon)
Author
ISBN
979-8197041203
Language
English (US Edition)
What if the forest is your most powerful ally in navigating the turbulence of modern life? Away from city noise and endless screens, the trees are waiting. They offer far more than shade — they provide a science-backed therapy capable of transforming your health.
Forest therapy did not enter my life through a book. It entered through a forest — one early morning, before the world awoke, during one of my outdoor qi gong sessions.
I felt something settle. Not a thought. Not a technique. Just… a release that years of inner practice alone had never quite produced. The trees were doing something my exercises could not.
I wanted to understand why. This book is the result of that investigation — scientific, sensory, and deeply personal.
— Firmin Joubert
Morning in the forest, before the light has fully risen. The scent of moss, of damp earth. A silence that is not empty — it is filled with cracks, breaths, the slow movement of branches. Your body knows something your mind has not yet grasped. It begins to slow down without being asked.