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.
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.
What are the proven scientific benefits?+
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.
Is this book adapted for North American forests?+
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.
Do I need a real forest or is a park enough?+
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.
What is the free companion app?+
Inside the book you will find a QR code giving you access to a free digital companion app: 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.
How much does it cost?+
$19.95 on Amazon.com in paperback, or $4.99 on Kindle. Includes the free companion app via QR code. ISBN: 979-8197041203.
About This Book
In a hyperconnected, exhausting world, this comprehensive guide invites you to discover Shinrin-Yoku — the Japanese art of forest bathing. Far more than a simple walk in the woods, this sensory method is backed by the latest 2026 scientific research to drastically reduce stress, boost your immune system, and clear your mind. Adapted specifically for North American forests, from the Adirondacks to the Pacific Northwest.
Exclusive Digital Companion App included (free, forever): Scan the QR code inside and turn your smartphone into a wellness lab. Emotional tracking, GPS forest mapping, tree identification by photo, voice memos, guided exercises. 100% offline, no account, no ads.
🌲 The Scientific Foundations — How phytoncides (molecules released by trees) stimulate your protective cells and regulate cortisol levels
🧘 A Complete Practical Guide — Breathing exercises, meditation, and mindful walking techniques accessible to everyone
👨👩👧👦 A Tailored Approach — Programs customized for every profile: children, stressed adults, seniors, and even a guide to hosting your own professional workshops
An Exclusive Digital Companion — Free journal app to track your feelings and securely preserve your memories in total confidentiality
🗺️ North American Focus — Tree species, trails, and testimonials adapted from the Adirondacks to the Pacific Northwest
Back Cover
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.
️ Author’s Note
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
In the Spirit of the Book
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.
💬 This Book Is for You If…
You are exhausted but unable to truly disconnect
You love nature but do not know how to turn it into a healing tool
You are looking for something practical — not mysticism
Stress has settled so deep you barely feel it anymore
You want a simple, accessible practice — no equipment, no subscription
Every copy unlocks a free digital companion — your personal forest bathing journal. Track your outings, identify trees, and follow the rhythm of the seasons.
100% offline. No account, no subscription, no ads.
Your forest journalLog every outing and mood
50 trees of North AmericaIdentify what surrounds you