I have never been more desperate and grateful for the arrival of spring.
 
Winter was long and unkind. Hurricane Helene dealt our beloved Blue Ridge Mountain communities a heavy-handed blow on Sept. 27, 2024. She washed away our autumn season of abundance, just as she stripped the colorful foliage from the trees and blew them over, toppling them like rows of dominoes. She left us bare and vulnerable right before the cold settled in.
 
People often ask, “Are things getting back to normal?”
 
We reply, “Things will never be the same.”
 
For those of us who know these mountains intimately, we mourn the way it was. We knew each and every bend in the river, whose banks are now unrecognizable, eroded and littered with storm debris. That boulder in the creek that always held colorful brook trout behind it… gone. Where did it go? New boulders, even bigger, are scattered about, remnants of the mountain above. And, oh, how I loved to sit between the roots of that 100+year-old white oak. It felt like it was hugging me back. Now, a fallen giant, brown and splintered in my backyard, a constant reminder every time I look out my kitchen window.
 
Just when I thought the dreariness might swallow me whole, the daffodils rose up, unfurled their petals, and turned their faces towards the sun. The forsythia blooms popped open like a million starry eyes opening up to see the world for the very first time. And the trout lilies sprang forth from the forest floor, just as they always do.

This year, spring hits different. If hope were a color, it would be yellow. Bright and vibrant amongst the waning winter brown and gray. A harbinger of the lush green landscape to come. The light has finally caught up to the dark - and now the light is winning.
 
If you are struggling in the wake of the storm, go outside, I beg of you. There’s a beautiful, wild world out there, pining for your attention. Deserving of your devotion. Ready and waiting to hold space and heal. Breathe in deeply the fresh mountain air. Splash the cold creek water onto your face and begin again. Dig your hands into the earth and plant seeds.
 
I never doubted Mother Nature’s resiliency, and I don’t doubt ours. I know we will rise up, just as these daffodils found their way through the debris. It’s been a long, cold, dark winter. Let’s turn towards the light.
 
About the Author
Kelly Bruce is a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide/Trail Consultant and the founder of Natural Wanders. She leads forest bathing and nature therapy walks in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina, and the greater Asheville area. She leads monthly community forest bathing retreats, as well as private experiences. For more inspiration, follow along on Instagram and Facebook.

Ladies looking for community, nature connection and enhanced wellbeing are invited to join We Hike to Heal for a free mindful hike on Conserving Carolina trails throughout western North Carolina.
 
We Hike to Heal is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a mission of building an inclusive community that normalizes self-care, creates a sacred space for healing and adventure, and prioritizes the mental and emotional wellbeing of all women. Through guided outdoor activities, We Hike to Heal offers participants a unique and powerful way to experience respite, connection and community. The Atlanta-based organization is growing, with ambassadors throughout the United States and Canada.
 
Local forest bathing and nature therapy guide, Kelly Bruce, owner and lead guide at Natural Wanders, was recently appointed as the North Carolina ambassador for We Hike to Heal. She hosted the very first We Hike to Heal event in the Carolinas on Feb. 22 at Bell Park in Saluda.
 
“Helping people connect more deeply to nature, community and themselves is something I’m passionate about both personally and professionally, so I jumped at the opportunity to partner with We Hike to Heal,” Kelly says. “I’ve met so many wonderful women through this organization and I’m excited to help grow this community in western North Carolina. These events provide a safe space for anyone who identifies as female to come together and experience the healing power of nature. The consensus of the ladies joining our hikes is that we need this now more than ever.”
 
A resident of Hendersonville and an experienced hiking guide, Kelly is certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, and Wilderness First Aid through the American Red Cross. She also leads forest bathing retreats at Conserving Carolina’s Transfiguration Preserve in Bat Cave and Terra Nova in Cedar Mountain, North Carolina.
 
Kelly is hosting a series of mindful hikes this year on Conserving Carolina land and trails. They will progress from beginner (short hikes with little elevation change), to more moderate and advanced trails this summer and fall. Hike one, or all! The next We Hike to Heal women’s group hike takes place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 29 at Wintergreen Falls in DuPont State Forest, Hendersonville. The hikes are free but advance registration is required. Visit Eventbrite to RSVP.
 
To stay informed of upcoming hikes in the Carolinas and southeastern U.S., join the We Hike to Heal South Facebook group. Be sure to follow Natural Wanders on Facebook and Instagram for updates, too.

In addition to hikes throughout the U.S. and Canada, We Hike to Heal is hosting their annual campout and retreat June 20-22 in White, Georgia. The event offers women an opportunity to unwind, connect with nature, and build lasting bonds with like-minded women. Learn more at WeHiketoHeal.org.

About the Author
Kelly Bruce is a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide/Trail Consultant and the founder of Natural Wanders. She leads forest bathing and nature therapy walks in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina in the greater Asheville area. She leads monthly community forest bathing retreats, as well as private experiences. For more inspiration, follow along on Instagram and Facebook.

Here in western North Carolina, we are still reeling from Hurricane Helene. Many lives, homes and jobs were lost in the wake of this natural disaster. Power and water still elude many homes and businesses in Asheville, Black Mountain, Hot Springs, Marshall, Swannanoa, Bat Cave and Chimney Rock. And while it might appear from a distance that things are getting “back to normal,” our land and waters are forever changed.
 
Those of us whose lives and homes were spared will tell you “We’re OK.” But I would argue that while we are safe, we are far from OK. We never imagined this kind of devastation would come to our mountain towns. We felt sheltered and safe in these mountains. I’ve often described the Blue Ridge Mountains as elders, cradling us in a welcoming embrace. Helene reminded us of the force of nature – and that there is no safe haven in this changing climate.
 
Many of us - or our ancestors - chose to make homes here because of the beauty and sacredness of this region. We are lovers of the natural world and outdoor recreation enthusiasts. We spend every chance we get on the trails, rivers and creeks because it soothes our souls and quiets our weary minds. Now, many of our favorite places are closed as roads and trails are cleared and rebuilt. This not only affects our mental and physical health, it affects tourism, a large part of our economy.
 
As we begin the slow and tedious task of recovery, we are also carrying the grief, the uncertainty, and the anxiety that the tumultuous experience of a natural disaster has thrust upon us. Many now question their relationship with the natural world after traumatic experiences with flooding, landslides and fallen trees. Folks in other parts of the world might have experienced other forms of natural disasters such as fires, earthquakes, monsoons or extreme drought.
 
Below, I would like to offer some healthy coping mechanisms for anyone who wants to cultivate resilience and restore their relationship with nature, community and Self. I wholeheartedly believe repairing our relationship with the natural world is essential if we want to heal – and we must heal together. Because our health is ultimately dependent on the health of this planet.
 
Three ways to cultivate resiliency through nature therapy:

1. Start slow. Find a place in nature where you feel safe. It could be your porch, backyard, or favorite green space. Silence your phone and put distractions aside so you can be fully present. Sit quietly. Just be and breathe. Deep, oxygen-rich inhalations, and slow exhalations through your nose. Your breath is your anchor to the present moment. Come back to it whenever your mind begins to drift.
   
2. Tune into the sensations you find pleasurable and let them drown out any distractions. Listen to the natural sounds that surround you. Notice how the sunlight filters through the trees. Feel the breeze on your skin and the earth below, fully supporting you. What scents do you smell? Spend 15 minutes engaging your many senses, leaning into anything that brings you pleasure.
   Next, tune into your heart sense. Close your eyes if it feels good for you. Breathe into your heart center and listen for any messages your heart has for you in this moment. Connect the intelligence of your mind to the wisdom of your heart. What is your heart saying? Keep in mind, it might arrive as a sensation or intuition, rather than words. How might your follow your heart today?
3. Go on a slow wander for 20 minutes. No agenda, no destination, no hurry. Notice what’s in motion. Stop and tune into anything that captures your attention. Just be with it. Explore. Let your sense of wonder and awe take over. Allow yourself to lose track of time.

 
Allow yourself this sacred time to simply BE, without checking your phone or worrying about your ‘To Do List.’ This is a form of self-care, which we must make time for so we can tap into that well of resiliency. Consider journaling about your experience or discussing with a friend.

Join us live via Zoom on Nov. 9 for a remotely guided nature therapy retreat
Join me for a REMOTELY GUIDED nature therapy retreat from 2-3:30 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, Nov. 9. The theme is "Finding Resilience," in support of those recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, wildfires, or a natural disaster. However, anyone looking for a practice to help reduce stress and cultivate a deeper connection with the natural world is welcome and will benefit from this experience. Together, we will quiet our weary minds and awaken our senses, finding peace and wellbeing in these wild times.
 
I will lead the experience live via Zoom amidst the fall foliage of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina. Join from your porch, backyard or favorite park, connecting to the land or natural elements wherever you are. We will end in community with a virtual tea ceremony, so bring your favorite beverage and a snack.
 
This retreat is offered by donation and free to first responders or anyone facing financial hardship. All are welcome, regardless of ability to pay. Please consider donating the highest rate that you can afford. Your generosity supports the cost of the program, your guide, students, first responders, and participants facing financial hardship. Sliding scale pricing is as follows:
 
Benefactor $100
This rate covers the cost of the program and supports your guide, first responders and participants facing financial hardship.
 
Sustainer $50
This rate covers the cost of the program and supports your guide.
 
Basic $20
This rate covers the cost of the program.
 
Student $10
This rate is for students and those on a limited income.
 
No Fee $0
This rate is for first responders and participants facing financial hardship. Use promo code BEMYGUEST24 to redeem this offer.

To register, click the orange BOOK NOW link on the right, then click on Nov. 9. Questions? Email [email protected].

Nothing like another trip around the sun to fill my heart with gratitude. As I reflect on the past year, I’m in awe of the beauty I’ve witnessed and the connections made. I want to thank every single one of you for following my natural wanders. For those just tuning in, I’d like to take a moment to welcome you and introduce myself.

First of all, thank you for being here. And by here, I mean on this planet. For all that you’ve been through in your lifetime, all the ups and downs, the journey of your family and ancestors, it ALL has led you to this moment. You have a unique gift to share with the world. I hope you find quiet and stillness so you can hear the wisdom of your heart. It will lead you in the right direction. Of that I’m certain.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably a nature lover, or you desire a deeper connection with the more than human world. You’ve come to the right place.

I began guiding nature therapy and forest bathing experiences in 2018. Soon after, I left my marriage and a successful career in marketing and communications. In silence and stillness, I was able to hear my heart. I realized that I wasn’t living in my truth, in authenticity. I was playing small, doing what I thought I was supposed to do.

I couldn’t understand why I had this underlying depression - I had everything I wanted. But I was busier than a bee. My mind never stopped. I was always onto the next project, plotting my next move. I never stopped to breathe deeply and listen to the rhythms of nature or my inner voice. Until I discovered nature therapy and forest bathing. It gently invited me back to my body, my heart and soul. I immersed myself in nature and washed away years of conditioning. People pleasing. Perfectionism.

Nature is my safe place. My muse and mentor. She has guided and soothed me through the most challenging moments of my life. So of course, I want to share this with the world. I am honored to bear witness to countless others who have had transformative experiences while being held in the arms of Mother Nature.

We are all connected. You. Me. The birds and the trees. It’s time to restore and deepen that relationship. Especially our connection with Self. I look forward to connecting with all of you here and hopefully in the forest. Sharing what has sparked joy and clarity, and guided me gently back towards equanimity. Back to me.

With love and gratitude,
Kelly Bruce

About the Author
Kelly Bruce is a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide/Certification Consultant and the founder of Natural Wanders. She leads forest bathing, nature therapy retreats, and mindful hikes in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. Her community forest bathing retreats are featured at the North Carolina Arboretum, presented through Adult & Continuing Education Programs in collaboration with Asheville Wellness Tours. You can also join her monthly experiences hosted by Conserving Carolina. Each month in this blog, she’ll provide inspiration to help you wander into wellness, naturally. In the meantime, follow along on Instagram and Facebook.

Winter is often the busiest time of the year, filled with holiday gatherings, shopping, cooking and feasting. There’s a huge energetic and emotional buildup at the end of the year. Then January 1 arrives and we’re expected to instantly reset, make resolutions and start anew. Frankly, it’s unnatural and unrealistic.

I turn to nature when faced with conundrums such as this. When I get quiet and still in the great outdoors, Mother Earth shares her wisdom. All sorts of revelations arise. Naturalist John Burroughs said it best: “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”
 
One exceptionally chaotic Christmas, I took a walk in the woods to clear my head. The leaves had fallen to the ground revealing the clear blue sky and mountain vistas. Each breath of crisp, cool air brought an enlivening sensation to my throat and lungs. With each step, I felt more present and calm. After crunching through the leaves for a good while, I found a nice place to stop. The silence was almost deafening. I felt as though I could hear the Earth more clearly in the winter forest. I wondered to myself, “Is she dreaming, talking in her sleep? What is she saying?”
 
I sat for a while and listened, observing what was unfolding around and within me. I felt the sharp juxtaposition between the natural world and the tamed world. The forest was exceptionally peaceful while humanity was at full throttle. “How did we [humans] get so off track?” I wondered. It was then and there that I resolved to try a different approach, to let nature be my guide.
 
Nature’s seasons illustrate to me that there is a time to do and a time to do nothing. Winter’s shorter days and longer nights beckon us to retreat to our dens and rest. I decided to give myself permission to go slow, to heal from the holiday hustle, from the trials and tribulations of the past year. I surrendered to the season.
 
For eons, humans lived in harmony with the seasons and rhythms of nature. Now, each January, we begin a new calendar year. This is due in large part to the advent of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, adopted by Great Britain and its colonies in 1752. Our mainstream culture now uses this 12-month calendar for capitalistic gains, touting new year’s resolutions and shouting “new beginnings, fresh start!” All in an effort to sell gym memberships and create a sense of scarcity and lack. Modern society urges us to consume more, increase our screen time and spend less time outside, leading to an overall sense of disconnection.
 
However, when I step away from the rat race long enough to slow down and grow silent, I’m able to reconnect to my inner knowing. That’s when I hear my heart’s wisdom, reminding me that every day, every moment is an opportunity to begin again. If you observe that you’ve broken your resolutions by the end of January, be kind to yourself. Let Mother Nature be your guide. She will assure you that the heart of winter is NOT the time to DO.
 
Winter is calling us inward. To rest. To be still. To be present. To dream! This is the time to alchemize all that was and plant the seeds of what will be. To learn from the past, sink deeply into the fertile soil that is the present, and gently release those seeds into the darkness.
 
Perhaps we won’t see the fruits of our labor right away. All good things take time, and not all seeds will grow. The ideas and dreams that do germinate might not be ready to come to the surface just yet. Maybe they need to be nurtured in the womb of the Earth before they are birthed into fruition, strong enough to stand on their own against Nature’s elements.
 
If your heart, body or intuition is calling you to grow still and reflect during this season, honor that inner knowing. What are you shedding, releasing, composting, alchemizing from last year? Bundle up and go outside, sit quietly in contemplation of this question, then write about it.
 
Winter is a time to reflect, dream and visualize. What seeds will you plant, germinate, nourish, cultivate this spring? More importantly, how will those acts make you feel? Are you open to the journey evolving and changing as long as you arrive at the same felt sense? Use these questions as journal prompts. Writing often helps us uncover the wisdom we hold within.
 
If you desire guidance or accountability in setting aside the time to go inward and be fully present, I invite you to experience a forest bathing retreat in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. I’ll lead you on a gentle journey through the woods, weaving mindfulness, breathwork, forest bathing (Shinrin Yoku) and nature therapy together. The experience provides opportunities to be in community with kindred spirits in the judgement-free space that the forest holds for all of us. Deepen your connection with nature and the wisdom of your heart. Quiet your mind so you can tap into the innate inner knowing that is always available to you.
 
I leave you with a poem that materialized during a recent winter forest bathing experience.
 
Winter Wander
“Slow down,” said the Earth.
I realized my pace had quickened
keeping time with my chattering mind.
I obliged
and relaxed into the mountains’ embrace
breathing deeply
body softening
senses sharpening
heart opening.
As I tiptoed slowly through
the sleeping winter forest
I heard my heart whispering the way.
Ever so faint
I stopped and grew silent.
Listening.
That’s when I received
the truth I’d been seeking.

Warmly,
Kelly

About the Author
Kelly Bruce is a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide/Certification Consultant and the founder of Natural Wanders. She leads forest bathing, nature therapy experiences, and mindful hikes in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. Her community forest bathing retreats are featured at the North Carolina Arboretum, presented through Adult & Continuing Education Programs in collaboration with Asheville Wellness Tours. You can also join her monthly experiences hosted by Conserving Carolina. Each month in this blog, she’ll provide inspiration to help you wander into wellness, naturally. In the meantime, follow along on Instagram and Facebook.

The holidays are a time for connection - sharing quality time with family and friends. However, they often come with a heaping helping of anxiety and stress. It's important to make time for self-care to balance out all the obligations and responsibilities that arise during this busy time of year. It is equally important to guard your energy and set boundaries to keep from overextending yourself.

Here are some simple, natural ways to find peace and calm amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. If you are pressed for time, start with number one. Weave several of these tips together for a deeper, more expansive experience.

1. Step outside onto your porch, balcony or backyard and take three deep breaths.

2. Build upon #1 by finding a quiet place to sit comfortably. Close your eyes and do a body scan from top to bottom, noticing the areas that are tense or sore. How might you bring some relief to those areas? Listen to the sounds around you. What aromas surround you? Slowly open your eyes. What are you noticing?

3. Enjoy your morning coffee or tea outside in the sunshine. Natural light is a wonderful way to signal to your brain that it's time to wake up. It also helps thwart seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

4. Go for a slow, intentional walk around your yard, neighborhood or a local park noticing what's in motion. What are you noticing?

5. Eat lunch or take your afternoon snack outside, soaking up some Vitamin D in the form of sunshine.

6. Catch up with friends or family by taking a walk together, incorporating fresh air, moving your body, and connecting with your community. If you can't meet in person, pop your earbuds in and catch up via phone.

7. Practice the art of "sit-spot." This is my favorite nature invitation and the source of much inspiration and peace. Find a place outdoors where you can sit comfortably and quietly. Start with 5 minutes. Practice each day, or whenever you can, building up to 30 minutes. If this is difficult for you physically, modify with props. Use a camp chair, yoga mat, blocks, blanket or towels to find a comfortable position. Notice what unfolds around and within you.

8. Children and dogs are great at inspiring fun, light-hearted walks full of wonder and awe. Take them for a walk or hike and let them lead (keeping safety in mind). See what unfolds!

9. Start your day by journaling, preferably in the fresh air if weather permits, or by a window with a view of the natural world. This is a great way to release anything that is stressing you out, recalling a dream you want to remember, or simply document what is happening in your world at the moment. Still not sure what to write? Here's a prompt to get you started: What is the winter season inviting or inspiring you to do?

10. Find a park or trail in your area that you've never been to before. Spend a few hours wandering and exploring. I wonder who you might meet and what you might see!

BONUS: Find a walk hosted by a certified nature and forest therapy guide in your area or wherever you're traveling. My upcoming walks here in western North Carolina are posted at the bottom of my home page. The Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and Forest Bathing Finder are great resources, too!

What tips do you have for finding calm amongst the chaos of the holidays? Leave a comment, below.

Tree hugs and kisses,
Kelly

About the Author
Kelly Bruce is a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide/Trail Consultant and the founder of Natural Wanders. She leads forest bathing and nature therapy walks in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina through Asheville Wellness Tours and the North Carolina Arboretum. Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. Photography by Maggie Rogers.

There are a number of practices and activities out there that help bring us into the present moment. Some are distractions and get us out of our heads momentarily, while others are a healing balm, soothing our weary souls. Many use the term “mindfulness” to describe the latter. Yet sometimes we yearn to be mindLESS. We need to get out of our heads and into our hearts and bodies. Here’s why forest bathing / nature therapy / forest therapy resonates with me and how it fulfills that yearning.
 
Forest bathing and/or nature therapy is a bridge. It’s a pathway to connection. To nature. To other humans who share more similarities with you than differences. It’s a pathway back to you. The most authentic version of YOU. The person you are at your core before the messiness of the human experience dulled your shine. Life is hard. We all need something to help us reset, to restore our factory settings. We need to shake the dust off. It accumulates over time if we’re not proactive. For some of us, it has been years since we’ve done something truly restorative for ourselves. If that’s you, you might consider a retreat or a series of forest bathing walks to start, then go into maintenance mode.
 
There are so many ways to cross the divide. There are multiple paths that lead you home. Not to a location on a map or brick and mortar building, but to that place deep within you. A sense of knowingness that you carry wherever you roam.
 
If you are still searching for that connection or want to dive deeper, give nature therapy a try. Why? Because we ARE nature. The trees don’t judge. For me and the majority of those I work with, nature soothes the nervous system. I think we inherently know that nature is good for us, but there’s also a lot of research that supports this.
 
Not everyone feels this way. That’s OK. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Many grew up in cities, don’t see the appeal of a nature walk, have never camped. There is often fear or generational trauma associated with being in the woods. But if you are seeking connection and intrigued by the idea of forest bathing and nature therapy, find a guide in your area. Dip your toe in the water with a remotely guided “virtual forest bathing” experience.
 
Guides certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy have gone through a rigorous, in-depth training and six-month practicum. We aren’t therapists (nature is the therapist) but we are welcoming, we hold sacred space for our participants, and we offer gentle pathways to connection.
 
We give you the tools to quiet your mind and awaken your senses. These walks are slow. We seek out easy, peaceful trails and we don’t travel far. The best part: there is no right or wrong way to forest bathe. There are no gold stars, no star students. Just be and breathe.
 
Grant yourself permission. Give yourself this gift. All you need is an open heart and an open mind. Come and see what medicine the forest has to offer you.

About the Author
Kelly Bruce is a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide/Trail Consultant and the founder of Natural Wanders. She leads forest bathing and nature therapy walks in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina near Asheville. Each Wednesday, she’ll provide inspiration to help you wander into wellness, naturally. In the meantime, follow along on Instagram and Facebook.

Not everyone is blessed with a big backyard. If that resonates with you, I urge you to find a park or some public land close to where you live and make it your sanctuary. Nature is a highly accessible, free resource that can be your one-stop-shop for mental health, fitness and joy. Let me explain…
 
Right now, I’m in awe of my new backyard: Glacier National Park. Before you roll your eyes, know that the tradeoff for these spectacular views means living in less than 200 square feet in my vintage Airstream in a rafting outfitter’s employee parking lot without power, water or sewer hookups. But I’m OK with that because I’m a bicycle ride away from the “Crown of the Continent.” I have more than 700 miles of hiking trails in my new neighborhood, gorgeous turquoise lakes and snow-capped peaks to gaze at when I’m walking my dogs. I’m not complaining.
 
My point is, it’s a matter of perspective. The big backyard might come with a hefty mortgage. I’m content with my little postage stamp of a camping spot if it means low rent and easy access to a National Park. It’s not where I’ll stay forever, but it’s already shaping up to be a pretty epic adventure.
 
I’m betting you have some pretty stellar parks within a 15 to 30-minute drive of your house. This summer, I urge you to go out and explore – find your park. When you do, make a point of spending at least one hour per week there. Find a tree, sit with it, and let the healing power of nature soothe your soul.

I would love for you to join me for a remotely guided forest bathing and nature therapy experience on June 3 at 5 p.m. MDT. We'll meet on Zoom, but just long enough to get your instructions and start wandering and exploring the land where you are - hopefully your newfound park or your backyard. I will guide you live from the mountains of northwestern Montana. Click here to register and select "Virtual Forest Bathing and Nature Therapy." This one-hour experience is offered by donation and free to veterans, health care workers and those experiencing financial hardship. To request a scholarship code, email [email protected].
 
Tree hugs and kisses,
Kelly

About the Author
Kelly Bruce is a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide/Trail Consultant and the founder of Natural Wanders. She leads forest bathing and nature therapy walks in the mountains of northwestern Montana in the summer, and in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina in the winter. Subscribe to her e-newsletter for more inspiration from nature and to learn about upcoming walks, workshops and retreats. Each Wednesday, she’ll provide inspiration to help you wander into wellness, naturally. In the meantime, follow along on Instagram and Facebook. This article originally appeared in The Swell Life, the official blog of Portfolio Vero Beach Magazine. Photography by Kelly Bruce.

Kids are always encouraged to use their imagination. So why is it, as an adult, I feel as though I get the side-eye when I hypothesize something imaginary? Like the possibility of having a conversation with a tree, a plant, or an animal? Books and movies have imaginary situations and characters – and we love that stuff! We eat it up, binging shows like Game of Thrones for hours on end, enthralled with the lives of dragons.
 
I think it’s a healthy and creative way to dream big and be inspired. Storytelling and art are imaginative. It’s where the magic happens. John Lennon said it best:
 
“You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one.”
 
My forest bathing and nature therapy walks are comprised of a series of invitations. As the word implies, it’s only an invitation, you don’t have to accept. Some invitations will be edgy, but you always have a choice. I encourage you to embrace what’s pleasurable and consider that growth usually occurs when we lean into our edges and get uncomfortable. Here’s an invitation to help flex your imagination muscle next time you’re outside in nature:
 
Imagine that like a tree you have deep roots, reaching down into the earth, creating a strong foundation. These roots are entangled with those of the trees and plants, creating a wood-wide-web of connection, spreading throughout the earth, connecting every continent and every ocean. Imagine that perhaps we can radiate threads of connection through these roots, sending goodness to any person or place, anywhere on earth. And if we can send goodness, we can also receive the goodness that Mother Earth is sending back to us.
 
What are you noticing?
 
What will you imagine – for yourself and for the world? Think about your place in the world. Whose shoulders do you stand on? What do you stand for? What serves you and the greater good? What doesn’t? Try something outside of your comfort zone. Lean against your edges. Nobody grows without risk or by playing it safe.

Tree hugs and kisses,
Kelly

About the Author
Kelly Bruce is a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide/Trail Consultant and the founder of Natural Wanders. She leads forest bathing and nature therapy walks in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. Subscribe to her e-newsletter for more inspiration from nature and to learn about upcoming walks, workshops and retreats. Each Wednesday, she’ll provide inspiration to help you wander into wellness, naturally. In the meantime, follow along on Instagram and Facebook. This article originally appeared in The Swell Life, the official blog of Portfolio Vero Beach Magazine. Photography by @zailaffitte.

We’re always rushing around, packing too much into our already busy lives. When we finally have a moment to pause, we find our necks craned, scrolling mindlessly through our phones. It’s no wonder anxiety levels are through the roof! I have a proposal for you: slow the f&@# down! There’s nothing like being fully present in the moment to bring peace and calm to your life.
 
If you’re looking for a natural, free way to reduce stress and anxiety, I invite you to go for a slow wander, noticing what’s in motion. Explore your yard, your neighborhood, or simply sit on your porch or balcony for 15 to 20 minutes. Scan the scenery around you, looking for motion. Your mind will probably drift, and that’s OK. When it does, turn your attention back to your breath and what’s in motion.
 
If you’re going for a stroll, slow your roll. This quote beautifully illustrates the ideal pace for this mindful invitation:

“When we walk like (we are rushing), we print anxiety and sorrow on the earth.
We have to walk in a way that we only print peace and serenity on the earth...
Be aware of the contact between your feet and the earth.
Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet.”
 ― Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, spiritual leader, poet and peace activist

If you see something interesting, take time to be with it. Explore how the wind blows the clouds and makes the trees sway; let your gaze follow the birds and bees; examine a flower closely. Activities like this bring us into the present moment and fill us with wonder and awe for all the things we usually speed right by. I wonder what you’ll discover in your own backyard!

Tree hugs and kisses,
Kelly

About the Author
Kelly Bruce is a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide/Trail Consultant and the founder of Natural Wanders. She leads forest bathing and nature therapy walks in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. Subscribe to her e-newsletter for more inspiration from nature and to learn about upcoming walks, workshops and retreats. Each Wednesday, she’ll provide inspiration to help you wander into wellness, naturally. In the meantime, follow along on Instagram and Facebook. This article originally appeared in The Swell Life, the official blog of Portfolio Vero Beach Magazine. Photography by @zailaffitte.