Nature Tonic by Jocelyn de Kwant

Nature Tonic (365 Creative Mindfulness)

by Jocelyn de Kwant

'In her book Nature Tonic, journalist and regular Flow contributor Jocelyn de Kwant encourages us to soothe our urbanized souls with a daily dose of ecotherapy. Comprising 365 practical prompts and lengthier meditative notes, it covers themes such as the joy of journaling sensory nature, the zen of forest bathing, the simple pleasures of botanical drawing, and ways to contemplate seasons, time and reconnect with Mother Nature, be you in a city street or a country meadow.'FLOW Magazine, 2019
 
‘This beautifully illustrated workbook is filled with 365 creative prompts to embrace nature’s simple pleasures, encouraging a happier, more thoughtful approach to everyday life.’ - Country Homes, 2020


Nature Tonic is a beautiful write-in workbook to help you mindfully connect with nature, wherever you are.
 
We all know how important a daily dose of nature is to our wellbeing, and here are 365 simple, inspiring activities to bring you closer to the natural wonders of our world. Take a mindful moment to notice the birds in your backyard, doodle spirals inspired by nature, write about your favourite forest walk or paint an imaginary flower. Build a twig tower with your kids, design your dream garden, draw the insects you see around you or look at the night sky and let your thoughts wander.
 
Jocelyn De Kwant, author of the bestselling Creative Flow, combines creative ideas, mindful awareness and an appreciation of simple living to share the joy of nature in 365 easy ways.
 
A beautiful, practical journal for a nature moment every day.

Reviewed by annieb123 on

5 of 5 stars

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Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Nature Tonic: A Year in My Mindful Life is a year long journaling guide with 365 mindfulness prompts which actively encourage the reader to slow down and find balance and relax in nature. Due out 10th Sept 2019 from Quarto on their Leaping Hare Press imprint, it's 240 pages and will be available in paperback format.

This is a beautifully calming and charmingly presented guide to re-learning awareness of our natural rhythms and re-learning to live more in sync with our natural environment. There are multiple activities to prompt examination and reflection. The days whose exercises I followed diligently and wrote down my reactions and feelings were really good days. The self reflection exercises the author has included gently allow the reader to slow down and experience their existence instead of just rushing exhaustedly from one activity to the next at maximum speed every waking moment. The illustrations, by Clare Owen, are restful and lovely and really enhance the whole message of the book.

Though the book is dealt into 12 chapters with different themes which encompass 365 guided prompts, it's not specifically written serially with seasonal activities. The individual activities could be experienced in any order. Whether the reader follows the prompts in order or not, there are real, proven benefits to slowing down and spending more time interacting with nature. I have no doubt that following the prompts regularly over the course of a year would give measurable positive results.

Beautifully illustrated and calmly and appealingly written, it would make a superlative gift for a journaling (or would be journaling) friend or family member, or oneself. Many meditation guides in my experience are quite full of metaphysical 'woo'. This one is refreshingly practical and 'woo-woo' free.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

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  • 24 August, 2019: Reviewed