Sunlight flickers through the trees. Birdsong echoes amongst the rustling leaves. Follow the mossy path, sodden from last night's rain, down the trail less traveled. Anxiety begins to dissipate with each step. With each deep breath in.
It's called shinrin-yoku, or "forest bathing" - the Japanese practice of immersing oneself in nature as a remedy to the feelings of overwhelm and disconnect in a hectic, industrialized world. Japanese doctors even prescribe it as a form of holistic preventative healthcare.
This year my family is aiming to complete the 1000 Hours Outside challenge. In January, we spent 27 hours outside total on dog walks, hikes, and outdoor playtime with our 1 year old daughter. We've got a long way to go, but I have personally noticed the difference in my anxiety and doom scrolling.
The inception of this candle came after reading books like Into the Wild and A Walk in the Woods. The idea of finding oneself after being fully immersed in nature.
Book Recommendation: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, Cheryl Strayed
This memoir was a pretty popular book when it came out in 2012 and was even turned into a film starring Reese Witherspoon. It's not a breezy outdoorsy read. The subject matter follows the author in her early twenties as a divorcee grieving the loss of her mother. She ventures out to conquer the Pacific Crest Trail (basically the entire west coast) with sheer, blind willpower and a quest to find herself.
I will say, the author is pretty unlikable and made me want to throw this book at my wall multiple times for being so shitty. BUT we all love a good comeback story and I was rooting for her the whole way. It's essentially the f**d up hiking version of Eat, Pray, Love.
Currently Reading: Hook, Line, and Sinker, Tessa Bailey
I just started book 2 in the Bellinger sisters duology on audio! These books BLEW UP on bookstagram a few years ago. These stories are good old smutty romance about two sisters who find themselves in Westport, Oregon in the PNW after getting cut off financially from their rich filmmaker stepdad. There are hot fisherman. The rest is pretty formulaic romance for those with a high caliber for 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Share your current reads in the comments below!