The more I practice and share forest therapy, the more I feel like myself—at home while out in beautiful places. I literally feel my breathing slow, my mind let go, and my body relax. Nature is steadfast, always there for us, a place to find an even keel, to cultivate equanimity simply through the practice of noticing—mindfulness in nature through sensorial activation, also known as forest bathing.
For most of human history, we have evolved in sync with nature. Our bodies, minds, and rhythms have adapted over millennia to the natural world—the rising and setting of the sun, the seasons, the sounds of wind through trees and waves on the shore. However, in just the past few decades, technology has advanced at an unprecedented rate, drastically outpacing the evolutionary capabilities of our bodies and minds. We are now living in an age where our nervous systems are constantly bombarded with stimuli, and our dopamine levels are hijacked by screens, notifications, and digital distractions. Our bodies, designed for movement and interaction with the natural world, are now shaped by sedentary lifestyles and postures that revolve around technology. The result? Chronic stress, mental health challenges, physical ailments like "tech neck," and an overall sense of disconnection from ourselves and the world around us.
So how do we reclaim our equilibrium? How do we reset our dopamine levels and remember that nature is our home? One powerful solution is forest therapy.
When we slow down long enough to be present in nature, our bodies respond with deep intelligence. Our nervous system shifts out of fight-or-flight mode. Our senses awaken, our breathing deepens, and our minds become clearer. Scientific studies have shown that time in nature reduces cortisol levels, lowers blood pressure, and enhances overall well-being. Forest therapy, or Shinrin Yoku, is not just a walk in the woods—it is an intentional practice of immersing oneself in nature with awareness, curiosity, and a receptive state of mind. It is a reset for our overstimulated brains, a return to our natural state of being.
My mission in life is to certify more forest therapy trails to provide spaces where people can practice recovery work—to reconnect, to breathe, and to remember what it means to simply be alive. We are living through a time of immense change. We will witness technological advancements beyond our imagination, some of which will benefit humanity greatly. But with rapid change comes chaos. Chaos, however, is not inherently bad—it has been said to be the natural order of transformation. The key is learning how to stay present, make well-informed decisions, and navigate the uncertainties of our time with clarity and resilience.
How do we cultivate this ability? We practice. We engage in grassroots efforts aligned with our values. We commit to mindfulness and meditation so we can observe our thoughts without being ruled by them. We choose to respond rather than react. We seek out moments of joy and share them with others. We stay grounded in our bodies, making choices rooted in deep seeing and appreciative inquiry. We recognize self-care as a fundamental necessity—not an indulgence—so that we can maintain our health and equilibrium. Only then can we offer the unique gifts we were born to share with the world.
We must also be kind to ourselves when things feel overwhelming. Instead of running from discomfort through distraction, we learn to sit with it, to ask ourselves what we truly need, and to cultivate new, healthier ways of being. This is growth. This is resilience.
Our relationship with technology is reshaping not only our minds but our bodies. The hours spent hunched over phones and computers are physically altering us, leading to postural imbalances such as "tech neck." Without awareness, we have no choice in this transformation. But with awareness, we can reclaim our health. Myofascial release—a practice of working with the body's fascial system—allows us to reshape and restore our posture. The fascial system itself is an organ, one that can be trained and reset. My retreats integrate both forest therapy and myofascial release, helping participants restore their bodies while reconnecting with the healing power of nature. The American Psychological Association (APA) now recognizes nature exposure as a vital component of mental well-being. This is not just a luxury—it is a necessity for our health.
The antidote to disconnection is real-time, real-world connection—to ourselves, to each other, and to the earth.
Do you or someone you know a private landowner, someone in the parks system, or a retreat center that might be interested in certifying a forest therapy trail? Please reach out to me at www.somaticecotherapy.com to experience a forest therapy walk. Ground yourself. Feel your place within this beautiful ecosystem—not separate from it, but as an integral part of it.
I will close with some powerful quotations:
"The smartphone is ruining our posture. We are becoming a society of hunched-over zombies." —Unknown
"Dopamine is the driver of human motivation. Nature gives it to us in balance. Technology gives it to us in spikes." —Dr. Anna Lembke
We have the power to choose how we engage with the world around us. Let us choose presence. Let us choose nature. Let us choose to remember what it means to truly be alive.
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