August 14, 2024 • 25 mins
Who said running outdoors is not therapy?!! Join me, on this episode, as we explore the world of forest therapy with Lauren Debick, an expert guide from Ocala, Florida. Discover how the Japanese practice of "Shinrin-yoku" or forest bathing can boost your immune system, lower stress levels, and improve cardiovascular health through the natural essence of trees. Lauren shares how nature therapy fosters mindfulness, reduces anxiety, and ignites creativity, making it suitable for all—from children and busy professionals to athletes.
Lauren is a life coach and certified Forest Therapy Guide with a passion for connecting people to nature’s restorative power. She helps to bring people back in touch with the natural rhythms of the earth - a return to our essential life source that invites healing and renewal. Through guided nature immersions, Lauren helps her clients access an embodied experience of deep connection, inner wisdom, and reserves of creative potential lying within nature itself. With a background in communications and marketing in purpose-driven industries, Lauren deeply believes in the natural world’s ability to create healing and a sense of well-being. Lauren strives to create spaces where individuals can uncover their own magic, find solace in nature, and experience profound personal growth and transformation.
CONNECT WITH LAUREN
INSTAGRAM
PODCAST
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
If you like this episode, please be sure to subscribe everywhere you listen to podcasts!
FOLLOW ME on INSTAGRAM
Check out the WEBSITE
Help support this podcast by buying me a cup of coffee. I need it to stay awake editing!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Welcome to Ella Go.
My name is Lisa.
Join me on the journey inhaving real raw and
uncomfortable discussions aboutfitness, health and everything
in between, because, let's behonest, this journey would suck
if we don't get our shittogether.
Welcome back, everyone to theElego Podcast.
(00:39):
My name is Lisa, your host andtoday's special guest is Lauren.
Lauren, how are you?
Speaker 2 (00:45):
I'm doing so well.
Lisa, Thank you so much forhaving me.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
So just to give people a background story,
because I tell everybody,because everyone's always like
how did you find these people?
How did you meet them?
And it's like the craziestthings or ways that we meet,
right.
So Lauren reminded me that wemet through Clubhouse.
Was it Clubhouse?
Yes, it still is hopping andpopping, but I haven't been on
(01:08):
there since COVID because that'swhen everyone was on it.
So we were supposed to dosomething.
And then did I reach out to you, lauren, and then I'm like,
looking at all my messages, andI'm like, oh my God, I totally
missed this woman.
And I reached out to her andthankfully she doesn't hate me
and that's how she's on the show.
And I didn't realize howspecial Lauren was until I
(01:33):
actually met her and I'm like,oh my God, we need to have you
on this show because this islike mind blowing.
So, lauren, introduce yourselfto everyone.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Thank you so much, Lisa.
My name is Lauren Debick.
I am in Ocala, Florida.
I'm a podcaster and I am also acertified forest therapy guide.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Unbelievable, and that's what we're going to talk
about, okay.
So, with that being said,lauren, what is forest therapy?
Speaker 2 (02:00):
So forest therapy is based off of the concept.
In Japanese it's called shinrinyoku, which means bathing
amongst the trees.
So back in the 1980s theJapanese government actually
poured a bunch of money intothis project because they were
finding that people were feelingmore depressed, they were upset
(02:21):
and they correlated it withworking longer hours inside
offices under fluorescentlighting.
So the government said we needto do something to boost the
well-being of our citizens.
So they came up with thisconcept called Shinrin-yoku,
which again is bathing amongstthe trees, and what that means
is really just spending time innature and benefiting from
(02:45):
everything that nature has togive us, so at a very high level
.
That's what forest bathing is.
And then forest therapy isspending time in nature to get
those benefits, and thosebenefits range from physical to
mental to emotional, and thelist goes on and on.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
Wow Again.
When you mentioned that to mewhen we first met, my mouth
dropped.
I was like okay, stop speaking,because I need you on Okay.
We definitely need you on Okay.
So who would benefit from this?
What types of people?
Speaker 2 (03:19):
So truly this can be for anybody, from children.
We know that screen time is areal thing right now, not just
for children but adults also.
So being able to acclimate kidsto the outdoors and to nature
they're a great audience forthis.
Busy professionals, we work sohard all the time in our daily
(03:41):
lives and it's really hard tounplug, so taking time to just
go outside, connect, be mindfuland get those benefits Athletes
athletes can truly benefit fromforest therapy and from nature
therapy because of themindfulness component, but also
and this is where mom I run abusiness with my mom for forest
(04:02):
therapy and this is herspecialty is working with people
who are homebound or in hospicecare or the geriatric
population, because what'sreally cool about it is indoor
forest therapy can befacilitated for those who can't
go outside or we live in Florida, it's really hot right now.
For those who, the heat mightbe a little too much, but you
(04:22):
still want to get those benefitsof nature therapy.
Indoor forest therapy is athing that can be worked out and
facilitated.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
Oh my God, that is so freaking cool.
Okay.
So, coming from a therapeuticbackground, I know what it does
to people.
But explain a little bit more,because people might be
listening to this and say, okay,so you're outside, how's that
going to help me?
How's that mindful, what isthat?
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Right.
So from a physical perspective,the trees, especially
evergreens, give off somethingcalled phytoncides, which is
what the trees use to boosttheir own immune system.
And as humans, if we arespending time amongst the trees
which is where the bathing comesfrom we can take in those
phytoncides and those elementswill help us with our own immune
(05:09):
system.
So that's a physical benefit.
Not only that, but alsophysically it lowers stress
levels, it helps withcardiovascular health, so lowers
blood pressure, lowers bloodsugar, so people who may be
prone to cardiovascular issuesor diabetes or different pieces
like that, that's where thephysical benefits can come in.
(05:30):
Lowering stress has so manybenefits from a mindfulness and
a mental and emotionalstandpoint.
So just being able to get awayfrom our devices, from getting
away from the stresses, to plugin and calm down, that really
can help our overall mentalwell-being.
And then, one of the thingsthat I really love about forest
(05:52):
therapy and nature therapy isthe creativity aspect.
So for me, being calm and in aplace of mindfulness is where
some of my best ideas come from,because sometimes when we're so
stressed out and there's somany things going on that we
really don't have that time,that connection to have those
(06:12):
ideas and be creative.
So one of the things that Ireally enjoy using forest
therapy for is the creativityaspect.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
Wow, that's amazing.
I didn't even think about thechemicals that the trees are
given off.
I didn't even think about thechemicals that the trees are
given off.
I didn't even think about that.
That is so cool.
So let me ask you this Is theresome research on this?
I mean, what does it say?
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Okay, yes, yes, there's lots of research on this
Again.
This started back in the 1980sin Japan is where the first
batch of research really started.
But over the past few yearsthere's something called green
therapy or ecotherapy that'sbecoming a little more prevalent
in the United States.
It's still not as big as theEastern medicine, but it's
(06:54):
coming over to the Western sidea little bit more.
But there's a ton of researchabout why nature is beneficial
and spending time outdoors isgood for our overall health.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
Okay.
So let's take a step back,let's go a little bit deeper,
because again I'm almostthinking people are like okay,
I'm outside, yeah, it's great,but From, let's explain this a
(07:38):
little bit deeper, to explainmaybe how you would go about
this therapy with somebody.
Just give us a glimpse of that.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Yes, absolutely so.
When we facilitate a forcedtherapy experience or a nature
therapy experience, we firststart out with mindful movement,
which is getting us in themoment, cutting out the
distractions, getting usconnected with our breath,
connected with the body,connected with the environment
around us, and then we drop intoa deeper meditation.
(08:10):
So we sit down, we quiet ourminds, we really start tuning
into the world around us andthen we move into connecting
with the different senses.
So, as a forest therapy guide,we would offer invitations to
the participants.
So an example of an invitationcould be wander around and
notice the different shades ofgreen.
(08:32):
So it's really asking people tosee what's around them, observe
what's around them, and this ishow the experience will last
and it ties into each of thesenses.
So we'll do invitations forsight, for sounds, for sense,
for taste and for touch.
So it's all about, like yousaid, being in that present
(08:53):
moment, just really being in thehere and now and connecting
with the world, the naturalworld around us, in ways that we
normally don't because we'rejust so busy and now.
And connecting with the world,the natural world around us, in
ways that we normally don't,because we're just so busy and
on the go all the time.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
Wow, okay, I'm still.
My mind is like still, I lovethis stuff, I just love it.
So I almost feel like it almostfeels like woo, woo, a little
bit from my because when bit,because when someone tells me to
go by the way, I hate bugs,okay for the record.
And yet I run outside.
(09:25):
I love running outside, butthere's something that happens
when you are out in the treeslike a hike.
I don't know what the heck itis, lauren, it just calms me and
I feel good and it's likewhat's going on here.
I mean it's crazy, right.
Yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
There's a real science behind it, the
connection, the connectednesspiece, and it does sound kind of
woo-woo, but what I like aboutthis is you can make it as
woo-woo or not woo-woo as youwant.
So another group and anotherdemographic or audience for this
could be corporate, corporateretreats and team building
activities and, like you said, Ithink most people would say I
(10:09):
feel better when I go outside orgo for a walk or I'm at the
beach and I don't exactly knowwhy.
Well, here's why Because it'staking you out of your normal
routine.
It's connecting you back to thenatural world, which is where
we all come from.
I mean that technology andscreens are relatively new and
as humans, I think we're tryingto play catch up with all of
(10:29):
that.
But I believe our soul, essenceand our core of who we are
belongs back to the naturalworld.
So for me, that's why it feelslike coming home.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
I love that.
I really love that.
I mean you just have such agreat well, you have such a
great appreciation for nature,mother Earth, and when you do go
out there you do find yourselfappreciating her, this earth
that we're in.
You know, being a little bitmindful, and it is kind of scary
(11:00):
where we're at with thetechnology and it is almost
taking us away from some of that, something that we don't need
to even create.
It's there, right, just got togo outside.
So what are some of theresponses that you've received?
Like if you could tell us astory or somebody that said this
(11:21):
is not going to work.
And then they're like oh my God, like it.
Do you have any profoundstories that occurred, reviews
or things that people have said?
Speaker 2 (11:30):
So my mom and I held a retreat last year and what was
really cool about this retreatis we did indoor and outdoor
forest therapy for those thatwanted to stay inside, and then
I took the outdoor group outsideand everyone who participated
in this retreat had never doneit before and we had people
travel from about 50 miles awayto come to where we are to do
(11:52):
this retreat and the responsesand reviews that we got after
that.
People were saying I had no ideathis was a thing, but I
definitely want to do this again.
I'm going to tell my friendsabout it.
I want to get more peopleinvolved and what's really nice
is those that have gone throughthe experience.
You can do this on your ownonce you have the training and
(12:13):
the discipline to be able to goout in nature and really focus
on what's around you.
So I love being able to be thatfirst facilitator for people
and then kind of send people outinto the world and say go tell
your friends about this, becausethe more people I truly believe
that we can get connected andbeing mindful and to work on
(12:34):
their own well-being is justgoing to raise everyone else up.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
You have such a is you have such a good soul I
can't even tell just by youtalking about this and the work
that you're doing, like you andyour mom, my goodness, like that
is such such goodness, puregoodness.
You know, we don't always talkabout those things, but that is
such a.
This is such a great topic, solet me ask you this where could
(13:01):
someone find somebody like you?
Because, like, we're up inupstate New York, are they all
over, or how's that work?
Speaker 2 (13:07):
So there is a directory.
We got certified through theforest therapy school, so if you
go to the forest therapyschoolcom and search for
certified guides, we we're allpart of this directory.
So, again, it's very new onthis side of the world, but it's
starting to become more popular.
But that's where you can findpeople who might be around you.
What's really cool is we can dovirtual sessions also, so we
(13:31):
can facilitate virtual foresttherapy and nature therapy
experiences, and what that wouldlook like is we're on a Zoom
call or something like that andeveryone is in their own area.
And what that would look likeis we're on a Zoom call or
something like that, andeveryone is in their own area,
and, as the facilitators, weinvite people to go out wherever
they are if they're in theirbackyard or if they're in a park
to go, do the differentinvitations and do the
(13:51):
experience that way.
So that's an option.
Speaker 1 (13:55):
Okay, so they go out and then do they come back to
the Zoom call and then they talkabout it.
Wow, that is pretty cool, andyou?
Speaker 2 (14:04):
bring up a really good point about the sharing
aspect, because what we doduring the experiences not
everyone has to share, but weinvite people to share and
that's where you really get intosome of the insights about how
impactful this could be.
When we went to our trainingover a year ago, some of the
(14:24):
people who were there weren'tthere necessarily to even become
guides, but because of some ofthe trauma they have experienced
in their life, they just wantedto have that healing type of
environment and to hear some ofthose stories and how the cycle
of seeing leaves that were deadon the ground but then new
leaves coming up on trees itreally puts things in a
(14:45):
different perspective that wedon't think about all the time,
but when you think about it itrelates so much to our daily
lives, every single day.
So there is a really greathealing element to this.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
Wow, that's amazing.
Okay so, lauren, why did youget into this?
How did this happen?
Speaker 2 (15:03):
So I've always loved nature and I've kind of taken
for granted the fact that I hadthe opportunity to spend so much
time outdoors.
I'm originally from Ohio and myfamily used to go camping I
mean, they still go camping inPennsylvania a lot.
We have a cabin up there sofrom a very young age I was
spending time in the woods and Iknew I wanted to be near the
(15:26):
oceans.
So that's what brought me downto Florida and I'm I didn't
realize until I got a little bitolder that not everyone has
that ability to spend timeoutside, to go in a green space
and part of the typical lifecoaching because it really does
(15:56):
ask people to do something thatmight be a little uncomfortable
and a little bit new, butusually people like being
outside.
So even if you don't drop allthe way in or have some profound
experience, even able to spenda few minutes outside in ways
that you normally don't canreally be beneficial.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Wow, that's pretty cool.
Okay, so let's switch gearshere.
There's such a I still I'm likespeechless.
This is like such a such anamazing topic.
I'm definitely going to belooking into it Because it makes
sense to even, you know,implement that with runners,
because you know, I'm doing thisas a meditative thing, being
(16:37):
outside without the music.
But to take it to another levellike this is just mind-blowing
to me.
Let's talk about your podcast.
What's the name of the podcast?
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Podcast is the Graceful Confidence Podcast.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
Okay, what is that all about?
Speaker 2 (16:54):
It's all about cultivating the grace and
confidence you need to have alife you're excited about,
waking up to every single day.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
Oh, okay, so what are some?
God, it's so positive.
What are some topics or whatare?
Do you have guests on Like what?
What does this look like?
Speaker 2 (17:13):
Yes, so I have guests on and most of the guests it's
about different challenges thatthey've overcome how to
cultivate confidence and createconfidence, facing your fears,
whether you're starting a newwellness routine, whether you're
starting a business.
I recently had twins fourmonths ago, so the latest
episode on the podcast is aboutmy experience, because it was a
(17:37):
whirlwind.
So all good stuff, but I didnot feel graceful nor confident
during that.
And I do like the concept ofgrace also because I feel like
we need to give ourselves gracetime and time again.
Sometimes we can get so caughtup in trying to be perfect or
doing things the right way, butin my opinion, if you're trying,
(17:57):
then you're winning and you'resucceeding, but if you do it
more and more, that's whereyou're increasing your
confidence.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Let's look at that word, because I often wonder
what I mean.
People might be listening andsaying well, what does that mean
?
I think people say it, but Idon't think they even know what
that really means.
Giving grace, like giveyourself grace what does that
mean?
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Cut yourself some slack.
So I went running this morning.
Okay, and I'm not.
I'm not a great runner, but Irun, I enjoy doing it and I do
do it with the meditative mindspace, so listening to the way
my feet hit the pavement, mybreath, listening to the birds,
(18:39):
and that has helped me.
And it took me a long time toget there because when I first
started running it was very muchthe headphones, the podcast,
and it just didn't work out forme.
So I'm in a place now where Ido it very much for the
meditative space that it givesme.
But I haven't ran in quite awhile and, like I said, I had
twins four months ago.
(18:59):
So I just started back runningeight weeks ago and I'm not as
fast as I used to be, I'm slower, things just are different.
But as I was out there running,I'm like you know what?
No one else is out here, I'mout here doing it.
So good job, kind of thebackboard, like keep getting out
there and doing it.
And for a long time I wasworried that I would look stupid
(19:21):
or I would look not like arunner, and I finally just got
over that and it's somethingthat makes me feel good and I
enjoy doing so.
I'm going to do it, and that'sin a nutshell what grace is to
me.
Hanging yourself on the back andsaying you know what You're
trying, You're doing it.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
I think that's the best way to define that.
I love that.
Okay.
So when you are running well,you just started right Do you
integrate some of these thingslike with nature and all of that
as you're doing your runs, andwhat does that look like for you
as a runner?
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Absolutely so runs, and what does that look like for
you as a runner?
Absolutely so, I do.
I try to connect with thedifferent senses.
It's a little different whenyou're running compared to when
you're walking through the woodsor in nature.
But definitely the audio.
So listening to the birds, Ilike to do that.
I like to listen to the waythat my feet hit the ground,
sites.
So I'll do the same thing withnature.
(20:17):
How many different shades ofgreen can I see?
What do these different shadesof green mean to me?
I like to watch the clouds when.
Speaker 1 (20:23):
I run.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
So seeing the different cloud formations very
much the touch also.
So how do the clothes feelagainst my body?
Because that helps me tune inalso.
I'm also I don't know if thisis real or not, because I'm not
a professional runner, butintuitive running so like,
depending on how my body feels,I'll say, okay, I'm gonna give
(20:45):
it all, I've got to this nexttree and then I'm going to back
off a little bit.
So for me, being mindful and inthe moment has a lot to do with
that.
It's really helped me becauseit helps me stay more connected
and I feel like I run actuallybetter this way.
When I was running with musicor a podcast, I would find
myself being so distracted, socaught up in my head.
(21:07):
Actually, I was thinking aboutit this morning.
It's kind of an oxymoron to getout of your head.
You have to get in your head.
So being able to have justthose thoughts that help me but
that helps me get out of my head, so it makes it easier.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
Wow, that is really cool.
Yeah, absolutely.
You know.
That is exactly what helps youwhen you're in the now and
you're feeling your body and yousaid, lauren, you're a runner,
okay, please stop.
Okay, you're a runner, okay,please stop.
Okay, you are a runner, allright, and you have twins, so
you're a bad mother runner and Imean that, like in a good way,
(21:45):
bad.
Okay, so let's talk aboutsomebody who going back to the
forest therapy.
If someone is thinking aboutthis and they're listening and
they're like, oh, I don't know,I'm not sure what is something
that you would tell them to givethe opportunity to themselves
(22:10):
to do this?
Speaker 2 (22:12):
So if someone's not sure, I would recommend doing
some research on it.
Read a little bit about foresttherapy, about forest bathing,
about green therapy.
I think that's a good firststep because it is so new.
That might help people becomemore comfortable with it.
And once you start reading it,I think a lot of people will
find that it makes sense, itresonates.
(22:32):
They may have even heard someof these things before, even if
it wasn't phrased with the termof forest therapy or forest
bathing.
And then I would recommend justgetting outside.
Try it for 15, 20 minutes.
Don't take your phone or if youhave your phone on, you don't
look at it and just really gooutside and start looking around
(22:52):
and see what you notice.
I would start there.
As basic as that sounds, Iwould also recommend sitting in
nature, trying to spend moretime in nature, going to a park.
If you have a lunch break oryou can do some walking, then
just get outside more and thenthat'll help people start
acclimating more with the ideaof even being outside, and I
(23:15):
feel like I take for granted Ispend so much time outside.
Not everyone does that and somepeople are afraid of being
outside.
You said you were scared ofbugs.
I totally get it.
I totally get it.
So I would say, start in smallsteps until you get more
comfortable with it.
Speaker 1 (23:32):
Yeah, I love that, the baby, you know, just even
just going outside in silence,but you know, listen and see how
that calms you down.
Lauren, this is such a greatconversation.
I could talk about this likeforever.
Seriously, and it's amazing howyou have the podcast and it
coincides with what you're doingfor other people and you are
(23:55):
definitely doing the good work,and so is your mom.
I mean, that's just amazing.
So tell us where we can findyour podcast.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
So my podcast can be found at laurendebiccom or I'm
on Instagram at laurendebic oranywhere you listen to your
podcasts, any podcast streamingplatforms.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
It's the Graceful Confidence podcast podcasts, any
podcast streaming platformsit's the Graceful Confidence
Podcast.
And as far as learning moreabout what you do as a forest
therapist, where can people gofor that?
Speaker 2 (24:32):
Yes, so the name of our business is Mindful
Wanderings, so you can go tomindfulwanderingsflnet or
mindfulwanderingsfl on Instagram, or you can get to that page
from laurendebiccom, my coachingpage.
Speaker 1 (24:39):
Okay, so cool, so cool.
All right, everybody, we'lldefinitely put all her links on
the show notes so that you canreach out to Lauren if you have
further questions.
If you want to listen to ourpodcast, check her out.
Just amazing, amazing topic,lauren, thank you so much for
being a part of this.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
Thank you so much, Lisa.
I appreciate the opportunity.
Speaker 1 (25:03):
All right, everyone, until next time.
Bye For you and I For you, andI For you and I.
Welcome to Ella Go.
My name is Lisa.
Join me on the journey inhaving real raw and
uncomfortable discussions aboutfitness, health and everything
in between, because, let's behonest, this journey would suck
if we don't get our shittogether.
Welcome back, everyone to theElego Podcast.
(00:39):
My name is Lisa, your host andtoday's special guest is Lauren.
Lauren, how are you?
Speaker 2 (00:45):
I'm doing so well.
Lisa, Thank you so much forhaving me.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
So just to give people a background story,
because I tell everybody,because everyone's always like
how did you find these people?
How did you meet them?
And it's like the craziestthings or ways that we meet,
right.
So Lauren reminded me that wemet through Clubhouse.
Was it Clubhouse?
Yes, it still is hopping andpopping, but I haven't been on
(01:08):
there since COVID because that'swhen everyone was on it.
So we were supposed to dosomething.
And then did I reach out to you, lauren, and then I'm like,
looking at all my messages, andI'm like, oh my God, I totally
missed this woman.
And I reached out to her andthankfully she doesn't hate me
and that's how she's on the show.
And I didn't realize howspecial Lauren was until I
(01:33):
actually met her and I'm like,oh my God, we need to have you
on this show because this islike mind blowing.
So, lauren, introduce yourselfto everyone.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Thank you so much, Lisa.
My name is Lauren Debick.
I am in Ocala, Florida.
I'm a podcaster and I am also acertified forest therapy guide.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Unbelievable, and that's what we're going to talk
about, okay.
So, with that being said,lauren, what is forest therapy?
Speaker 2 (02:00):
So forest therapy is based off of the concept.
In Japanese it's called shinrinyoku, which means bathing
amongst the trees.
So back in the 1980s theJapanese government actually
poured a bunch of money intothis project because they were
finding that people were feelingmore depressed, they were upset
(02:21):
and they correlated it withworking longer hours inside
offices under fluorescentlighting.
So the government said we needto do something to boost the
well-being of our citizens.
So they came up with thisconcept called Shinrin-yoku,
which again is bathing amongstthe trees, and what that means
is really just spending time innature and benefiting from
(02:45):
everything that nature has togive us, so at a very high level
.
That's what forest bathing is.
And then forest therapy isspending time in nature to get
those benefits, and thosebenefits range from physical to
mental to emotional, and thelist goes on and on.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
Wow Again.
When you mentioned that to mewhen we first met, my mouth
dropped.
I was like okay, stop speaking,because I need you on Okay.
We definitely need you on Okay.
So who would benefit from this?
What types of people?
Speaker 2 (03:19):
So truly this can be for anybody, from children.
We know that screen time is areal thing right now, not just
for children but adults also.
So being able to acclimate kidsto the outdoors and to nature
they're a great audience forthis.
Busy professionals, we work sohard all the time in our daily
(03:41):
lives and it's really hard tounplug, so taking time to just
go outside, connect, be mindfuland get those benefits Athletes
athletes can truly benefit fromforest therapy and from nature
therapy because of themindfulness component, but also
and this is where mom I run abusiness with my mom for forest
(04:02):
therapy and this is herspecialty is working with people
who are homebound or in hospicecare or the geriatric
population, because what'sreally cool about it is indoor
forest therapy can befacilitated for those who can't
go outside or we live in Florida, it's really hot right now.
For those who, the heat mightbe a little too much, but you
(04:22):
still want to get those benefitsof nature therapy.
Indoor forest therapy is athing that can be worked out and
facilitated.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
Oh my God, that is so freaking cool.
Okay.
So, coming from a therapeuticbackground, I know what it does
to people.
But explain a little bit more,because people might be
listening to this and say, okay,so you're outside, how's that
going to help me?
How's that mindful, what isthat?
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Right.
So from a physical perspective,the trees, especially
evergreens, give off somethingcalled phytoncides, which is
what the trees use to boosttheir own immune system.
And as humans, if we arespending time amongst the trees
which is where the bathing comesfrom we can take in those
phytoncides and those elementswill help us with our own immune
(05:09):
system.
So that's a physical benefit.
Not only that, but alsophysically it lowers stress
levels, it helps withcardiovascular health, so lowers
blood pressure, lowers bloodsugar, so people who may be
prone to cardiovascular issuesor diabetes or different pieces
like that, that's where thephysical benefits can come in.
(05:30):
Lowering stress has so manybenefits from a mindfulness and
a mental and emotionalstandpoint.
So just being able to get awayfrom our devices, from getting
away from the stresses, to plugin and calm down, that really
can help our overall mentalwell-being.
And then, one of the thingsthat I really love about forest
(05:52):
therapy and nature therapy isthe creativity aspect.
So for me, being calm and in aplace of mindfulness is where
some of my best ideas come from,because sometimes when we're so
stressed out and there's somany things going on that we
really don't have that time,that connection to have those
(06:12):
ideas and be creative.
So one of the things that Ireally enjoy using forest
therapy for is the creativityaspect.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
Wow, that's amazing.
I didn't even think about thechemicals that the trees are
given off.
I didn't even think about thechemicals that the trees are
given off.
I didn't even think about that.
That is so cool.
So let me ask you this Is theresome research on this?
I mean, what does it say?
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Okay, yes, yes, there's lots of research on this
Again.
This started back in the 1980sin Japan is where the first
batch of research really started.
But over the past few yearsthere's something called green
therapy or ecotherapy that'sbecoming a little more prevalent
in the United States.
It's still not as big as theEastern medicine, but it's
(06:54):
coming over to the Western sidea little bit more.
But there's a ton of researchabout why nature is beneficial
and spending time outdoors isgood for our overall health.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
Okay.
So let's take a step back,let's go a little bit deeper,
because again I'm almostthinking people are like okay,
I'm outside, yeah, it's great,but From, let's explain this a
(07:38):
little bit deeper, to explainmaybe how you would go about
this therapy with somebody.
Just give us a glimpse of that.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Yes, absolutely so.
When we facilitate a forcedtherapy experience or a nature
therapy experience, we firststart out with mindful movement,
which is getting us in themoment, cutting out the
distractions, getting usconnected with our breath,
connected with the body,connected with the environment
around us, and then we drop intoa deeper meditation.
(08:10):
So we sit down, we quiet ourminds, we really start tuning
into the world around us andthen we move into connecting
with the different senses.
So, as a forest therapy guide,we would offer invitations to
the participants.
So an example of an invitationcould be wander around and
notice the different shades ofgreen.
(08:32):
So it's really asking people tosee what's around them, observe
what's around them, and this ishow the experience will last
and it ties into each of thesenses.
So we'll do invitations forsight, for sounds, for sense,
for taste and for touch.
So it's all about, like yousaid, being in that present
(08:53):
moment, just really being in thehere and now and connecting
with the world, the naturalworld around us, in ways that we
normally don't because we'rejust so busy and now.
And connecting with the world,the natural world around us, in
ways that we normally don't,because we're just so busy and
on the go all the time.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
Wow, okay, I'm still.
My mind is like still, I lovethis stuff, I just love it.
So I almost feel like it almostfeels like woo, woo, a little
bit from my because when bit,because when someone tells me to
go by the way, I hate bugs,okay for the record.
And yet I run outside.
(09:25):
I love running outside, butthere's something that happens
when you are out in the treeslike a hike.
I don't know what the heck itis, lauren, it just calms me and
I feel good and it's likewhat's going on here.
I mean it's crazy, right.
Yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
There's a real science behind it, the
connection, the connectednesspiece, and it does sound kind of
woo-woo, but what I like aboutthis is you can make it as
woo-woo or not woo-woo as youwant.
So another group and anotherdemographic or audience for this
could be corporate, corporateretreats and team building
activities and, like you said, Ithink most people would say I
(10:09):
feel better when I go outside orgo for a walk or I'm at the
beach and I don't exactly knowwhy.
Well, here's why Because it'staking you out of your normal
routine.
It's connecting you back to thenatural world, which is where
we all come from.
I mean that technology andscreens are relatively new and
as humans, I think we're tryingto play catch up with all of
(10:29):
that.
But I believe our soul, essenceand our core of who we are
belongs back to the naturalworld.
So for me, that's why it feelslike coming home.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
I love that.
I really love that.
I mean you just have such agreat well, you have such a
great appreciation for nature,mother Earth, and when you do go
out there you do find yourselfappreciating her, this earth
that we're in.
You know, being a little bitmindful, and it is kind of scary
(11:00):
where we're at with thetechnology and it is almost
taking us away from some of that, something that we don't need
to even create.
It's there, right, just got togo outside.
So what are some of theresponses that you've received?
Like if you could tell us astory or somebody that said this
(11:21):
is not going to work.
And then they're like oh my God, like it.
Do you have any profoundstories that occurred, reviews
or things that people have said?
Speaker 2 (11:30):
So my mom and I held a retreat last year and what was
really cool about this retreatis we did indoor and outdoor
forest therapy for those thatwanted to stay inside, and then
I took the outdoor group outsideand everyone who participated
in this retreat had never doneit before and we had people
travel from about 50 miles awayto come to where we are to do
(11:52):
this retreat and the responsesand reviews that we got after
that.
People were saying I had no ideathis was a thing, but I
definitely want to do this again.
I'm going to tell my friendsabout it.
I want to get more peopleinvolved and what's really nice
is those that have gone throughthe experience.
You can do this on your ownonce you have the training and
(12:13):
the discipline to be able to goout in nature and really focus
on what's around you.
So I love being able to be thatfirst facilitator for people
and then kind of send people outinto the world and say go tell
your friends about this, becausethe more people I truly believe
that we can get connected andbeing mindful and to work on
(12:34):
their own well-being is justgoing to raise everyone else up.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
You have such a is you have such a good soul I
can't even tell just by youtalking about this and the work
that you're doing, like you andyour mom, my goodness, like that
is such such goodness, puregoodness.
You know, we don't always talkabout those things, but that is
such a.
This is such a great topic, solet me ask you this where could
(13:01):
someone find somebody like you?
Because, like, we're up inupstate New York, are they all
over, or how's that work?
Speaker 2 (13:07):
So there is a directory.
We got certified through theforest therapy school, so if you
go to the forest therapyschoolcom and search for
certified guides, we we're allpart of this directory.
So, again, it's very new onthis side of the world, but it's
starting to become more popular.
But that's where you can findpeople who might be around you.
What's really cool is we can dovirtual sessions also, so we
(13:31):
can facilitate virtual foresttherapy and nature therapy
experiences, and what that wouldlook like is we're on a Zoom
call or something like that andeveryone is in their own area.
And what that would look likeis we're on a Zoom call or
something like that, andeveryone is in their own area,
and, as the facilitators, weinvite people to go out wherever
they are if they're in theirbackyard or if they're in a park
to go, do the differentinvitations and do the
(13:51):
experience that way.
So that's an option.
Speaker 1 (13:55):
Okay, so they go out and then do they come back to
the Zoom call and then they talkabout it.
Wow, that is pretty cool, andyou?
Speaker 2 (14:04):
bring up a really good point about the sharing
aspect, because what we doduring the experiences not
everyone has to share, but weinvite people to share and
that's where you really get intosome of the insights about how
impactful this could be.
When we went to our trainingover a year ago, some of the
(14:24):
people who were there weren'tthere necessarily to even become
guides, but because of some ofthe trauma they have experienced
in their life, they just wantedto have that healing type of
environment and to hear some ofthose stories and how the cycle
of seeing leaves that were deadon the ground but then new
leaves coming up on trees itreally puts things in a
(14:45):
different perspective that wedon't think about all the time,
but when you think about it itrelates so much to our daily
lives, every single day.
So there is a really greathealing element to this.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
Wow, that's amazing.
Okay so, lauren, why did youget into this?
How did this happen?
Speaker 2 (15:03):
So I've always loved nature and I've kind of taken
for granted the fact that I hadthe opportunity to spend so much
time outdoors.
I'm originally from Ohio and myfamily used to go camping I
mean, they still go camping inPennsylvania a lot.
We have a cabin up there sofrom a very young age I was
spending time in the woods and Iknew I wanted to be near the
(15:26):
oceans.
So that's what brought me downto Florida and I'm I didn't
realize until I got a little bitolder that not everyone has
that ability to spend timeoutside, to go in a green space
and part of the typical lifecoaching because it really does
(15:56):
ask people to do something thatmight be a little uncomfortable
and a little bit new, butusually people like being
outside.
So even if you don't drop allthe way in or have some profound
experience, even able to spenda few minutes outside in ways
that you normally don't canreally be beneficial.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Wow, that's pretty cool.
Okay, so let's switch gearshere.
There's such a I still I'm likespeechless.
This is like such a such anamazing topic.
I'm definitely going to belooking into it Because it makes
sense to even, you know,implement that with runners,
because you know, I'm doing thisas a meditative thing, being
(16:37):
outside without the music.
But to take it to another levellike this is just mind-blowing
to me.
Let's talk about your podcast.
What's the name of the podcast?
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Podcast is the Graceful Confidence Podcast.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
Okay, what is that all about?
Speaker 2 (16:54):
It's all about cultivating the grace and
confidence you need to have alife you're excited about,
waking up to every single day.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
Oh, okay, so what are some?
God, it's so positive.
What are some topics or whatare?
Do you have guests on Like what?
What does this look like?
Speaker 2 (17:13):
Yes, so I have guests on and most of the guests it's
about different challenges thatthey've overcome how to
cultivate confidence and createconfidence, facing your fears,
whether you're starting a newwellness routine, whether you're
starting a business.
I recently had twins fourmonths ago, so the latest
episode on the podcast is aboutmy experience, because it was a
(17:37):
whirlwind.
So all good stuff, but I didnot feel graceful nor confident
during that.
And I do like the concept ofgrace also because I feel like
we need to give ourselves gracetime and time again.
Sometimes we can get so caughtup in trying to be perfect or
doing things the right way, butin my opinion, if you're trying,
(17:57):
then you're winning and you'resucceeding, but if you do it
more and more, that's whereyou're increasing your
confidence.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Let's look at that word, because I often wonder
what I mean.
People might be listening andsaying well, what does that mean
?
I think people say it, but Idon't think they even know what
that really means.
Giving grace, like giveyourself grace what does that
mean?
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Cut yourself some slack.
So I went running this morning.
Okay, and I'm not.
I'm not a great runner, but Irun, I enjoy doing it and I do
do it with the meditative mindspace, so listening to the way
my feet hit the pavement, mybreath, listening to the birds,
(18:39):
and that has helped me.
And it took me a long time toget there because when I first
started running it was very muchthe headphones, the podcast,
and it just didn't work out forme.
So I'm in a place now where Ido it very much for the
meditative space that it givesme.
But I haven't ran in quite awhile and, like I said, I had
twins four months ago.
(18:59):
So I just started back runningeight weeks ago and I'm not as
fast as I used to be, I'm slower, things just are different.
But as I was out there running,I'm like you know what?
No one else is out here, I'mout here doing it.
So good job, kind of thebackboard, like keep getting out
there and doing it.
And for a long time I wasworried that I would look stupid
(19:21):
or I would look not like arunner, and I finally just got
over that and it's somethingthat makes me feel good and I
enjoy doing so.
I'm going to do it, and that'sin a nutshell what grace is to
me.
Hanging yourself on the back andsaying you know what You're
trying, You're doing it.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
I think that's the best way to define that.
I love that.
Okay.
So when you are running well,you just started right Do you
integrate some of these thingslike with nature and all of that
as you're doing your runs, andwhat does that look like for you
as a runner?
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Absolutely so runs, and what does that look like for
you as a runner?
Absolutely so, I do.
I try to connect with thedifferent senses.
It's a little different whenyou're running compared to when
you're walking through the woodsor in nature.
But definitely the audio.
So listening to the birds, Ilike to do that.
I like to listen to the waythat my feet hit the ground,
sites.
So I'll do the same thing withnature.
(20:17):
How many different shades ofgreen can I see?
What do these different shadesof green mean to me?
I like to watch the clouds when.
Speaker 1 (20:23):
I run.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
So seeing the different cloud formations very
much the touch also.
So how do the clothes feelagainst my body?
Because that helps me tune inalso.
I'm also I don't know if thisis real or not, because I'm not
a professional runner, butintuitive running so like,
depending on how my body feels,I'll say, okay, I'm gonna give
(20:45):
it all, I've got to this nexttree and then I'm going to back
off a little bit.
So for me, being mindful and inthe moment has a lot to do with
that.
It's really helped me becauseit helps me stay more connected
and I feel like I run actuallybetter this way.
When I was running with musicor a podcast, I would find
myself being so distracted, socaught up in my head.
(21:07):
Actually, I was thinking aboutit this morning.
It's kind of an oxymoron to getout of your head.
You have to get in your head.
So being able to have justthose thoughts that help me but
that helps me get out of my head, so it makes it easier.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
Wow, that is really cool.
Yeah, absolutely.
You know.
That is exactly what helps youwhen you're in the now and
you're feeling your body and yousaid, lauren, you're a runner,
okay, please stop.
Okay, you're a runner, okay,please stop.
Okay, you are a runner, allright, and you have twins, so
you're a bad mother runner and Imean that, like in a good way,
(21:45):
bad.
Okay, so let's talk aboutsomebody who going back to the
forest therapy.
If someone is thinking aboutthis and they're listening and
they're like, oh, I don't know,I'm not sure what is something
that you would tell them to givethe opportunity to themselves
(22:10):
to do this?
Speaker 2 (22:12):
So if someone's not sure, I would recommend doing
some research on it.
Read a little bit about foresttherapy, about forest bathing,
about green therapy.
I think that's a good firststep because it is so new.
That might help people becomemore comfortable with it.
And once you start reading it,I think a lot of people will
find that it makes sense, itresonates.
(22:32):
They may have even heard someof these things before, even if
it wasn't phrased with the termof forest therapy or forest
bathing.
And then I would recommend justgetting outside.
Try it for 15, 20 minutes.
Don't take your phone or if youhave your phone on, you don't
look at it and just really gooutside and start looking around
(22:52):
and see what you notice.
I would start there.
As basic as that sounds, Iwould also recommend sitting in
nature, trying to spend moretime in nature, going to a park.
If you have a lunch break oryou can do some walking, then
just get outside more and thenthat'll help people start
acclimating more with the ideaof even being outside, and I
(23:15):
feel like I take for granted Ispend so much time outside.
Not everyone does that and somepeople are afraid of being
outside.
You said you were scared ofbugs.
I totally get it.
I totally get it.
So I would say, start in smallsteps until you get more
comfortable with it.
Speaker 1 (23:32):
Yeah, I love that, the baby, you know, just even
just going outside in silence,but you know, listen and see how
that calms you down.
Lauren, this is such a greatconversation.
I could talk about this likeforever.
Seriously, and it's amazing howyou have the podcast and it
coincides with what you're doingfor other people and you are
(23:55):
definitely doing the good work,and so is your mom.
I mean, that's just amazing.
So tell us where we can findyour podcast.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
So my podcast can be found at laurendebiccom or I'm
on Instagram at laurendebic oranywhere you listen to your
podcasts, any podcast streamingplatforms.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
It's the Graceful Confidence podcast podcasts, any
podcast streaming platformsit's the Graceful Confidence
Podcast.
And as far as learning moreabout what you do as a forest
therapist, where can people gofor that?
Speaker 2 (24:32):
Yes, so the name of our business is Mindful
Wanderings, so you can go tomindfulwanderingsflnet or
mindfulwanderingsfl on Instagram, or you can get to that page
from laurendebiccom, my coachingpage.
Speaker 1 (24:39):
Okay, so cool, so cool.
All right, everybody, we'lldefinitely put all her links on
the show notes so that you canreach out to Lauren if you have
further questions.
If you want to listen to ourpodcast, check her out.
Just amazing, amazing topic,lauren, thank you so much for
being a part of this.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
Thank you so much, Lisa.
I appreciate the opportunity.
Speaker 1 (25:03):
All right, everyone, until next time.
Bye For you and I For you, andI For you and I.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com