Meet Us in the Forest
The forest has always been medicine. Science is finally catching up.
Dr. Qing Li, the world’s leading expert on forest medicine, has spent decades proving what our bodies already knew – that time among trees is genuinely, measurably good for us.
His research shows that forest bathing lowers cortisol and adrenaline, suppresses the fight-or-flight response, enhances the body’s rest-and-recover system, lowers blood pressure, and increases heart rate variability. In one study, participants slept 45 minutes longer after a two-hour forest walk. In another, anxiety dropped significantly after just two hours among trees.
The nervous system doesn’t distinguish between a real threat and a perceived one – but it does respond to safety. Trees, it turns out, are very good at sending safety signals.
In February, my friend and certified forest therapy guide Wendy Figone invited me into the redwoods of Santa Cruz. Being in nature is already part of my life – but forest bathing with intention and guidance was something different. Quieter. More deliberate. Restorative in a way that stayed with me. I wanted to bring it to you.
Wendy Figone is the founder of Somatic Ecotherapy and an ANFT-Certified Forest Therapy Guide who specializes in nature-based practices that reduce stress and restore presence.
On May 7th we gather virtually and journey through the redwoods together. If you’re in Nashville, there’s an in-person gathering on May 9th at the Center for Sustainable Stewardship in Franklin, TN (just south of Nashville) – a working farm and forest sanctuary. I’ll be leading the Nashville gathering. And on May 14th we reconvene to share what we found.
Get your ticket:
$10 from each Nashville ticket goes directly to the Center for Sustainable Stewardship to support the land.
The Simply Mindful Collective is free to join. Forest bathing tickets are available now. ~ Fran
