Hi Reader,

I spent last week in northern Michigan, and one of my favorite parts of the trip was continuing my morning walks in a new place. I love exploring new places because there is so much to notice. Different trees, different light, different air, different sounds, and suddenly the same practice I do at home feels fresh again.

I also loved that every morning, before the plans & logistics energy took over, I had already given myself movement, mindfulness, and a little time in relationship with the natural world. It was the perfect way to launch the day.

It reminded me why I keep coming back to this practice.

So, for the month of August, I’m going to mix things up a little here in 🌿The Nature Brief. Instead of the usual weekly nature connection invitation, I’m going to share a short teaching series I’m calling:

Field Notes on Why Nature Works

Each week, I’ll share one small piece of the “why” behind nature-based wellness.

A little science, a little lived experience, and a simple takeaway to keep you inspired to get outside in whatever way actually works for your real life.

Because yes, I can give you endless invitations to notice the trees, feel your feet on the ground, or step outside before you scroll, but sometimes it helps to understand why those simple moments matter.

Why does walking under trees feel different than walking through a parking lot? Why can a few minutes outside help us feel less scattered? Why does looking at the sky, listening to birds, or sitting near water shift something in us? Why does returning to the same trail or park start to feel like a relationship?

That’s what I want to explore this month, briefly, because “Brief” is still in the name and none of us need another dissertation in our inbox.

So here’s this week’s Field Note:

Your nervous system learns through experience, not information.

We spend a lot of time learning about well-being. We read the books, listen to the podcasts, save the posts, follow the experts, and learn the science. And I love all of that. I am absolutely a lifelong learner. 🤓

But at some point, we have to stop collecting information and actually have the experience.

That’s one of the reasons I keep coming back to Forest Bathing & Nature Therapy. It reminds me that my nervous system doesn’t care how much I know about slowing down. It responds to actually slowing down. 🤯 Crazy right?

Five minutes outside noticing the smell of summer flowers, feeling a breeze (or the heat) across your skin, or looking up into a tree you’ve walked past a hundred times can do more than another saved post you’ll maybe come back to later.

Because your body is having a real experience of presence, attention, and sensory awareness. You are not just thinking about slowing down, you are letting your body practice it.

That’s the part we sometimes skip, and that is the heart of Forest Bathing & Nature Therapy.

Not learning more about slowing down, but giving yourself the actual experience of it.

Yet, for some reason, most of us seem to really struggle with giving that time to ourselves (myself included). We’ve been so conditioned to prioritize productivity and getting things done that moving slowly, without needing to earn it, can feel weirdly hard.

🍂 So here’s the simple September challenge, whether you join me or do it on your own: choose a Sunday morning, put your phone away for a bit, and spend some time outside before the week starts asking things from you. Walk slowly, sit somewhere, bring your coffee or tea, visit a park, or just let yourself notice what’s happening in the living world around you in your own backyard.

And if you know you’re more likely to actually do that with a guide, a time on the calendar, and a small group of people choosing the same thing, I created a simple way to practice this together in September...

September Sunday Sessions in Nature​
​A Digital Detox & Forest Bathing Series in St. Louis

For four Sunday mornings in September, we’ll gather first thing in the morning in local green spaces to slow down, unplug, and give our bodies the experience of what our minds already know we need: fresh air, sensory connection, and a little space to breathe.

This series is open to everyone, whether you’re curious about Forest Bathing and want to discover the practice for the first time, or you’re looking to build a more consistent nature connection rhythm as fall begins.

Each session includes guided Forest Bathing invitations, space to slow down and notice at your own pace, and optional moments to share what you’re noticing with the group. That community piece is one of my favorite parts of this work. It’s lovely to experience the same place together and hear what comes alive for different people. You’ll also receive an optional digital detox challenge to support you between Sundays.

Think of it as a way to start your week before the busyness picks up, and hopefully make Sundays feel a little less "Scary".

Choose a 2-session pass for $65 or join the full month with all 4 sessions for $99.

I’ll share more soon, but registration is open now if you already know you want in.

A few mornings outside can do a lot, especially when they’re already on the calendar.

In Peace and Presence,
Jess 🌻

Jess Thenhaus 🌿 Nature Based Wellness Coach | NBHWC, CHHC Certified Forest & Nature Therapy Guide | ANFT 🫶Helping you cultivate presence, margin & intentionality in your life. CONNECT WITH JESS → Forwarded this email? Subscribe Here for more

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