Halbert L. Dunn, often called the father of the wellness movement, distinguished between health (the absence of disease), wellness (the active pursuit of a healthy lifestyle), and well-being (a deeper state of fulfillment that integrates mind, body, and spirit). True well-being includes spirituality—a connection to something greater than yourself, which is different for everyone yet fundamentally the same. It also requires interdependence, the recognition that we thrive in connection with others and the world around us.
Yet today, technology is interfering with our well-being on a massive scale. Many people experience symptoms of ADHD, a low-level malaise, or even lingering depression—not from a medical condition, but from the way excessive screen time alters our dopamine levels. We lose focus, unable to read a book cover to cover, instead scrolling much longer at night than we’d like to admit. This results in a kind of apathy—an indifference to the things that would actually make us feel better.
I recently participated in Wisdom 2.0, a program focused on managing the impact of technology on mind-body wellness. For a month, we studied our device usage, and I learned a lot. One big takeaway? When you go out with others who have phones, leave yours at home. Try shutting your phone off for a half day once per week—or better yet, a full day. If you want a deeper dive into why this is so necessary, check out Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke.
Forest Therapy: The Reset We Need
Forest therapy walks directly address our loss of focus, presence, and natural dopamine balance. I believe that soon, forest therapy will become as common as flossing your teeth or daily exercise, as more people recognize its profound benefits. Other countries already integrate it into their healthcare systems, with some even covering it under insurance. The American Psychological Association now recommends forest bathing for mental well-being, and our Surgeon General has named loneliness a major health crisis—a problem I believe is fueled by both post-COVID disconnection and excessive technology use.
My invitation to you: Come on an ANFT-guided hike with me or another certified guide and see how you feel afterward. You can also practice self-guided forest therapy walks, which are completely free—there are simple skills you can learn to make your experience deeper and more restorative.
Partnering to Certify Forest Therapy Trails
After traveling to Japan to study the origins of Shinrin Yoku, I became certified to help establish and certify Forest Therapy Trails in the U.S. My goal is to partner with private landowners, retreat centers, and park systems to create certified trails that can be used with a trained guide for deeper connection or as self-guided experiences with signage that leads visitors through the process. If you’re interested in trail certification, reach out to me—I’d love to collaborate.
Balancing Technology for True Well-Being
Technology isn’t inherently bad—it serves us in many positive ways. The key is to cultivate a healthy relationship with it rather than letting it control us. As AI speeds up our lives, we need to slow down, reconnect, and remember how to be human. This means embedding kindness in action—compassion for ourselves, for others, and for the planet.
If you’re ready to reset, join me for a Forest Therapy Retreat (2-3 days of immersion) or a workshop. Learn how to integrate these practices into your daily life for better focus, deeper presence, and overall well-being. Visit www.somaticecotherapy.com to connect.
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