Book Review: Forest Bathing – Beyond The Wall

Here in Prescott, we’re surrounded by 1.25 million acres of national forest. So it’s fortuitous that the library has just acquired several new books on forest bathing. If you’re not familiar with this trendy topic, it is a process that was developed as Shinrin Yoku in Japan in the 1980s. “You don’t literally take a bath, but you do bathe in the environment of the forest, using all your senses to experience nature up close.” There’s been a large number of research studies that indicate the benefits of spending time in nature. Those benefits include the obvious (lower stress) and the surprising (sharper vision). You can check out a book written by a Japanese researcher, a certified forest therapy guide, or a journalist and life coach. One book is a guided journal that provide prompts to help you get the most out of your forest bathing adventures.

Available at the Prescott Campus Library