InTune With Nature

09/10/2026

"Forest bathing made me feel like I belong... with this group, with nature."
At the end of our "autumn" (that felt like summer) forest bathing program at Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, I asked people to reflect on the experience. This was one of the participant's answer.
We had a great group who really embraced the experience, offered deep insights after the invitations, and just made the morning really special.
How does being in nature make you feel?

09/05/2026

It was a hot day, with some unexpected rain, but that didn't stop two back to back groups of forest bathers from a great nature experience during their company retreat. These were all women who work in a nonprofit that serves low-income women and children - what a gift for their executive director to give them time to relax and take care of themselves! We saw wild strawberries, a beaver swimming in a pond, the tallest dandelions I've ever seen, wildflowers, beautiful trees and more. Some were skeptical at the beginning but everyone left feeling calmer, happy, and inspired by nature.

08/27/2026

A beautiful article about sensitive people and connection to nature.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2026/08/the-tender-forest-bath-why-even-imagining-a-tree-can-change-your-nervous-system-federica-torri-phd/

Gayle Byck

Whether we are standing in an actual forest, or sitting at a kitchen table with a tree held only in our imagination, our nervous systems are capable of receiving the same fundamental message: we are rooted.

08/27/2026

A beautiful article about sensitive people and nature connection.

Whether we are standing in an actual forest, or sitting at a kitchen table with a tree held only in our imagination, our nervous systems are capable of receiving the same fundamental message: we are rooted.

08/25/2026

My September "Forest Bathing for the High Holidays" program is sold out... but you can still register for this great program at Caldwell Woods!
Gayle Byck

08/03/2026

The July Full Moon is known as the Buck Moon, the Thunder Moon, and the Herb Moon, among other names.

The Buck Moon is named because male deer grow their antlers in mid-summer. These antlers represent strength, growth, regeneration, and emerging power. How are we growing and transforming right now?

The Thunder Moon represents the powerful summer storms (which we just experienced here in Northeastern Illinois!) which can lead to transformative energy.

The Herb Moon represents that this is the time of year that healing plants reach their potency, which are only enhanced under the lunar energy. We talked about how our lives are like gardens: some areas are vibrant and growing, others are being choked out by weeds, and other are waiting for seeds of intention to be planted.

A calming meditation, invitations to notice how we feel as day transitions to night and under the moon’s energy, journaling, and making herb sachets completed a wonderful evening.

Oh - and of course our group of 30 women howled at the moon! Always a highlight!

08/03/2026

THIS PLACE DOESN'T FIX EVERYTHING. IT JUST MAKES EVERYTHING FEEL SMALLER. 🍃

05/27/2026

Two upcoming public programs at the Cook County Forest Preserves:
(1) June 4th, 10am, at Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington, ages 55+
(2) June 11th, 10am, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, all ages

Call the number listed to register!


Gayle Byck

04/22/2026

"Across this large international sample, we found that people who felt more connected to nature consistently reported higher levels of well-being and mindfulness. This was true not just for feeling satisfied with life but also for deeper aspects of flourishing, such as having a sense of direction and meaning"

Today, on Earth Day, it is important to think about how critical nature is to our well-being.

Gayle Byck

Feeling part of something larger than yourself may make it easier to cope with stress and uncertainty.