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Peace of Mind

Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.                                    –   John Muir

 

Forest Immersion improves mental health.  It reduces anxiety, depression, anger and rumination.   Breathing the air and touching things in an intact ecosystem exposes our bodies to a richer diversity of microbiota, stimulating neurotransmitter precursors which help our brain work better, increase feelings of pleasure and improve our mood.

 

It also reduces stress.  Even sitting and looking at trees reduces the stress-related hormones cortisol and adrenaline, and increases serotonin.  Being immersed in nature has a positive effect on heart rhythm; it supports greater heart rate variability, shifting us out of the fight/flight mode of our nervous system and into the calm/cool/content response.

You don't know how tightly wound you are until a guide and the forest unwind you. Devote a few hours to this!

                       -  Laurie L, participant

I'm a lifelong hiker and20 year meditator and this walk provided a remarkable reduction in my mental chatter and worry.       - Anne P, participant

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