Forest Bathing Retreat: Healing in Nature Reduce Stress, Burnout, and Anxiety – Sat Nov 1 – Denver
Is the stress interwoven with your grief wearing you down?
Need a break to release stress and anxiety?
Worried about the stress of upcoming holidays?
Come be in nature, which allows you to let down and just be.
Our grief is often paired with heighten stress. Though stress is a natural result of a major loss, it’s easy to overlook the impact on us. Direct and indirect stress and anxiety show up in a variety of ways, such as:
- anticipation and worry about upcoming holiday events
- racing thoughts
- fatigue and lack of sleep
- higher blood pressure
- indecision and mood swings
- activation of chronic physical conditions
- burnout from caretaking, or
- the disorientation of a sudden loss
Come join us and spend time in this relaxing and beautiful time of year at Botanic Gardens on York Street. We’ll explore several areas during our time. You will be with others who are experiencing stress, burnout, and anxiety that comes with personal and collective grief.
Forest Bathing is a nature-based practice that draws upon the restorative powers of nature. Learn more about benefits (https://susankaplanmsw.com/forest-bathing/) for your physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social well being. Also referred to as Shinrin-Yoku (Shin-rin-yo-kin), this practice originated from many indigenous cultures and the specific work of Dr. Qing Li’s research in Japan. Research shows Forest Bathing reduces stress, burnout, and anxiety.
What to expect: Slow paced walks through the gardens, invitation to engage in voluntary nature activities, time for personal reflection, listen to and share with others and an informal tea ceremony. You will also receive a Nature Prescription for your health and wellbeing with resources and activities to use after this walk to continue to reduce stress and anxiety.
Parking: There is a parking garage that is accessible. You might come early to find a spot, as parking can be more full on the weekends. There are side streets to park on as well if the garage is full.
Requirements: Because weather can change, please be prepared for a variety of conditions. There are a few inside places we can certainly use if the weather feels unreasonable.
Questions or concerns about the retreat? Contact Susan at 720.280.2170 or [email protected]
Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206
Time: 12:45 – 4:00 pm (please plan to be there at 12:45 so we can begin at 1:00 pm and plan to stay with us the whole time)
Cost: $ 36 – $ 72 sliding scale (please contact HeartLight Center if you have questions about payments)
Leadership: Susan Kaplan, MSW, RYT, Forest Bathing Guide and Forest Therapy Intervention Practitioner, Certified Nonviolent Communication Trainer and Wellness Practitioner