What an inspirational book. Finding therapy in nature and more specifically bird watching is wonderful. The author has a great writing style and you do not need to be a bird watcher (just a nature lover) to benefit from this book. I love birds (not really a bird watcher though), they make me happy.and some special experiences will stay with me forever. Such as the day when a Goshawk came to eat his lunch right outside my window. We made eye contact and I will never forget the burn of his eyes. Watching the birds on the feeders, listening to birdsong and a glimpse of something a bit rare make you feel so good. It is definitely therapeutic and I totally understand where the author is coming from and how it can help your mental state. It would be fantastic if GPs could prescribe this book. I hope it reaches many people especially those in need of some mental peace, and the feel of freedom.

Nearly every day I read articles about mental illness, burnout, and the stress of modern life. And do you know what will often make the list of ways to relieve or remedy the symptoms? Time spent in Nature! Time spent out-of-doors, away from screens surrounded by sky and trees, near bodies of water, in the company of birds and other wildlife will do much to calm the mind, relieve tension and stress, and leave one with an overall sense of wellbeing.

In Bird Therapy, Joe Harkness shares his personal story of living with OCD, generalized anxiety disorder, and depression, and how he manages it with hours outside birdwatching. Let me just say that even though the book begins with his mental state in a dark and dangerous place, the book doesn't stay there and doesn't focus on his illness. It's a positive read about how much his life has changed for the better because of what he calls "Bird Therapy".

If you're like I was before reading this book, you might tend to think birdwatching is for retired, elderly people or just for super nerdy types. But the author became a birdwatcher as a young man, so the book is written with a youthful voice full of energy and enthusiasm.

In each chapter, he shares a different glimpse of his birdwatching journey, from his very first attempts to connect with other birders, to setting up his first bird feeders in his back garden, to finding a patch to call his own. He describes experiences of rare bird sightings, interactions with other birders, regular visits to his patch, and what it is like to birdwatch in different seasons. At the end of each chapter, he shares a list of helpful tips for people who would like to begin the birdwatching adventure.

An interesting and positive aspect of this book is that it's published by Unbound, a crowd-funded indie publisher.

If you or someone you know struggles with mental illness, you would benefit from reading this book. Also, if you're curious about birdwatching, especially about how to get started, read this book. After reading Bird Therapy, I am paying closer attention to the birds all around me, and am spending more time outside every day. This book is recommended reading!

Excellent! Uplifting and a truly mindful read.
It has taken people a long time to realise the healing power of nature.