Crystal Berkenes shares what Nature Therapy is, how she combines it with Music Therapy, how it can impact your health and what to expect on a guided nature walk with a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide.

You may know from experience that being in nature feels therapeutic, but did you know there is actual scientific evidence that spending time in nature can affect you at a cellular level by helping your immune system and nervous system?  

Taking a walk in nature is not the same as taking a walk down a city street.  Science has proven that there are natural chemicals released by plants that actually have a positive impact on your body…improving things like immune function, mood states and stress levels.

Enter Nature Therapy.  Also called Forest Bathing or Shinrin-Yoku, it’s inspired by a Japanese practice of spending time in nature that “enhances health, wellness and happiness” according to the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides.

In today’s episode I’m talking with Certified Nature Therapy Guide Crystal Berkenes who is also a Music Therapist and combines the 2 practices to create an experience for participants that can actually be health-changing.

Highlights & resources below.

Highlights:

{9:15}    What is Music Therapy

{13:28} What is Forest/Nature Therapy

{14:49} Lasting Effect of Nature Therapy

{17:18} Nature Therapy How-to

{18:22} Nature Therapy Guide Training

{{23:40} What to Expect on a Guided Nature Walk

{26:51} Music Therapy in Nature

{32:51} Wild Tending in Nature

{35:50} Length of a Nature Therapy Session

{39:42} Dr. Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller

Resources:

Links mentioned in this episode:

Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs

The Outdoor Adventurer’s Guide to Forest Bathing: Using Shinrin-Yoku to Hike, Bike, Paddle, and Climb Your Way to Health and Happiness – Dr. Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller

Podcast New Season Launch Team

Mountain Meditation

Guest Links:

Crystal Berkenes  |  musictherapycab@gmail.com

Follow Crystal on Social:

Facebook:  @crystal.berkenes

More episodes like this one:

#33: What’s in Your {Recreational} Water? (Part 2)

#32: Earth Day + What’s in Your Water? (Part 1)

#31: Sustainable Minimalism with Stephanie Seferian

#30: Herbal Medicine with Spiritus Vitae Botanicals

#29: Creating Less Waste in Your Environment

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Disclosure:  Because I like connecting others with resources that I have used and found to work well in my life, I want to be completely transparent with you.  Some of the links within this post are affiliate links from Amazon; as an Amazon Associate I earn  from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. I only promote products that align with my values and with what I truly believe to work, not because of the commission I receive on them. So if you do decide to purchase something from one of these links, thank you!