Sleep, access to nature, consistent play, nutrient density, mindset work, are some of the foundational core pieces to your health. But the nature piece is usually the one that creates the greatest degree of stress in the patients that I see. And when it comes to knowing what to look for and how to actually enjoy the outdoors… sometimes it actually requires that we go a little bit deeper. It requires us exploring and unpacking the concept — and that’s exactly what we are going to do today!
It is my pleasure to welcome my friend and colleague to the podcast, Dr. Cyndi Gilbert. Cyndi is a naturopathic doctor, author, and plant whisperer. She and I graduated together 12 years ago from naturopathic medicine and currently, she is celebrating the release of her brand new book, Forest Bathing. Cyndi has been studying forest bathing and herbal medicine since she first sat under a maple tree and ate red clover flowers as a child. She’s also a faculty member at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, and she has taught botanical medicine and philosophy there for over 10 years.
Cyndi is truly a wealth of knowledge! And as you will hear from this interview, forest bathing is not necessarily as simple as stepping into a forest. Forest bathing and observing nature can exist on so many different levels. In this episode, we not only talk about some of the core elements to look for as you are engaging with the forest or going out, into the great outdoors but we also discuss the pheromones that trees release, how this actually impacts your health, the notion of a ‘wood wide web,’ the world of fungi, and actually enabling communication to happen between a variety of different trees. This is the perfect episode to tune into on the brink of summer, so I invite you all to come and listen in on the conversation!
Key Takeaways:
[1:30] About today’s episode and fantastic guest, Dr. Cyndi Gilbert.
[4:40] Welcoming Dr. Cyndi Gilbert!
[5:46] Cyndi gives us the “coles notes” version of how she got into naturopathic medicine and how she got to where she is today!
[9:30] What is forest bathing?
[11:06] Cyndi takes us through some of the deeper nuances of forest bathing (beyond just getting outside)!
[14:22] How the smells of nature impact your health, body, and mental state.
[18:39] Cyndi highlights the various ways to forest bathe depending on the season!
[21:35] The importance of children connecting to — and exploring — nature, and how we can learn from how children interact with nature, as adults.
[26:00] Cyndi introduces us to the layers of the energetics of the forest, the consciousness and communication of trees, and the world and role of fungi.
[32:35] Cyndi gives some examples of where the Doctrine of Signatures is present.
[37:29] Are there any cool apps people can bring along with them when they first go forest bathing?
[42:06] Dr. Cyndi Gilbert’s key performance indicators!
[45:00] Where to find Cyndi and her book online!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Forest Bathing, by Dr. Cyndi Gilbert
Merlin Bird ID App (by Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
Ten Percent Happier App
The Overstory, by Richard Powers
More About Cyndi Gilbert
Dr. Cyndi Gilbert, ND is a naturopathic doctor, author, and plant whisperer, who has been studying forest bathing and herbal medicine since she first sat under a maple tree and ate red clover flowers as a child. A faculty member at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, she taught botanical medicine and philosophy for over 10 years. She presently acts as clinical faculty at a community health center working with underserved patients. Cyndi believes nature can inspire, rejuvenate, and connect us. She strives to bring nature into her medical practice and her everyday life.
Connect with my Guest:
Website: CyndiGilbert.ca
Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter
If you enjoyed our conversation and would like to hear more:
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CALL TO ACTION
I would love for you all to give forest bathing a try! Set a goal for yourself to spend more time in nature and let Dr. Cyndi Gilbert and me know how it goes! Share your favourite spots to get out in nature on The Entrepology Podcast Facebook page — because when you’re accountable, you’re helpable!
Tweetables:
“20 minutes of just sitting on a park bench is actually still going to be good for your health — and that’s what’s so amazing and powerful about [forest bathing].”
— Cyndi Gilbert
“The springtime is pretty wet and rainy, [so] it’s a great time for connecting to new growth and connecting to new ideas — because that’s what’s happening in nature!”
— Cyndi Gilbert
“That’s one of the reasons why I love forest bathing with kids — … because there’s so much that we forget as adults; that magic … of just laying in the grass or hiding in the cedar hedge … or just kicking leaves.” — Cyndi Gilbert
“It’s that unstructured play that gives us those moments of ultimate satisfaction with a giant high-five on the other side.” — Cyndi Gilbert
“The forest is almost like the best life coach you could ever have if you just watch how trees grow!” — Cyndi Gilbert
“Every piece of information in the forest travels underground through these fungal networks!” — Cyndi Gilbert