Field Notes A Surprising Reason Nature Makes Us Feel Better June 5, 2026/Wendy Figone/Forest Bathing Forest Therapy offers more than stress relief. Time in nature can help us soften self-judgment, reconnect with our inner beauty, and return to a kinder relationship with ourselves and the living world. When signing up for one of my Forest Therapy walks, many people come hoping to feel less stressed. They want a break from screens, work demands, caregiving responsibilities, and the constant pace of modern life. What many don't expect is that time in nature may also help us become kinder to ourselves. As a Forest Therapy Guide, I hear so many insights about self-worth and self-acceptance arise naturally during these experiences. One of the most common themes emerges around old, twisted, weathered trees. Many women find comfort in the beauty of the aging process reflected in nature. There are no cultural overlays telling a tree it should look a certain way. No expectation that it remain young, straight, flawless, or perfect. A tree is valued for its own ever-changing and unique beauty. Think about our beauty industry and the amount of money, energy, and attention that goes into looking "your best" or a certain way in order to gain approval. Perhaps one of nature's best-kept secrets is that our beauty comes from within. It emerges from our unique spirit, our life experience, our resilience, and how we feel about ourselves. Forest Therapy helps us reconnect with who we really are, not who society wants us to be. Certified Forest Therapy Trails, like the one at Chaminade Resort in Santa Cruz and the one coming soon to San Mateo County Parks, are intentionally designed to provide spaces where people can come back into relationship with themselves, their community, and what we call in Forest Therapy the "more-than-human world." When we feel good about ourselves, we tend to be kinder and more gentle with ourselves. That kindness naturally radiates outward to the people around us. Restorative experiences like Forest Therapy do more than reduce stress. Research suggests they can also enhance creativity, attention, and our ability to solve problems. In a world increasingly shaped by AI, screens, and constant stimulation, we need more experiences that reconnect us with our innate and beautiful humanity. The forest offers exactly that. If you'd like to learn more about the research behind nature and self-compassion, you can read this recent Washington Post article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2026/06/05/surprising-science-backed-reason-being-nature-makes-you-feel-good/ Ready to Experience Forest Therapy? Whether you are looking to support employee wellbeing, reduce stress, strengthen team connection, recover from burnout, or simply spend meaningful time in nature, Forest Therapy offers a powerful opportunity to slow down and reconnect. I offer guided Forest Therapy experiences for: Corporate teams Healthcare organizations Retreat centers Community groups Individuals and private groups You can also experience Forest Therapy on the certified trail at Chaminade Resort & Spa: https://www.chaminade.com/spa-fitness/forest-therapy/ To schedule a Forest Therapy experience for your group or team, contact: https://somaticecotherapy.com/contact Explore upcoming offerings and retreats: https://somaticecotherapy.com/offerings Comments (0) Please sign in to add a comment. No comments have been posted yet.