March Winter Wellness Program

Winter Blues? Embrace Winter in Vermont with Forest Therapy

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Despite all its wondrous glory, winter with its colder temperatures and shorter daylight hours can be a tough time for people. Feelings of lethargy, being down and less motivated may arise. You’re not alone!

On average, about 6 percent Americans (most commonly in Northern climates) experience SAD, while about 14 percent of Americans experience the winter blues.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends 93% of their life indoors. 87% of their life is indoors, then another 6% of their life in automobiles. That’s only 7% of your entire life outdoors. That’s only only one half of one day per week outdoors. Ouch.

Nature’s Benefits

Nature is being recognized as a source of healing and restoration. Health care providers are currently prescribing time outdoors in 34 US states. Studies are showing us what we already intuitively know- we feel good when being in nature is part of our lives.

See Nature’s Benefits

“In a meta-analysis of 10 studies, they found that getting outside—and moving—for as little as five minutes at a time improved both mood and self-esteem.”

– Robin Mejia, author of the study in the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

It’s Time to Embrace the Winter

This 30 day March program is designed for you to:

Embrace the Winter
Feel Restored & Rejuvenated
Create a realistic routine of getting outdoors
Develop an ongoing practice of Forest Bathing
Understand the healing qualities of the many elements of nature
How to best incorporate nature’s elements into your life

Some Highlights Offered in the Program

Five 2-hour Regional Forest Bathing Group Walks
Railyard Apothecary 30 Day Wellness Tea Package
3 oz. loose leaf tea. Work with an herbalist to create the perfect blends for in-store pick-up
Nature Inspirations & Recommendations Sent Daily
Ongoing Instructor Support
Circadian Rhythm Re-Alignment
This is also known as “resetting the biological clock.” The healing power of the morning sun will be your best medicine and will help you to resynchronize your rhythms.

Meet Duncan, Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide

That’s me in the picture working as a horticulturist in the winter at the Parks Department in NYC. I worked long hours outdoors in the cold and I felt great doing it. I’ve arranged my life around optimizing my time outdoors using tried and true tools and techniques that I’d like to share with you. I’ve found that having a structured way such as scheduled outings and routines to encourage nature connection works best. May this program be the structure you need!

After receiving my Nature & Forest Therapy Guide Certification from ANFT in 2015, I began my official practice in New York City guiding the very first official Forest Bathing groups in Central Park. As a Horticulturalist I created the first shinrin-yoku forested walking trail on Randall’s Island. After 14 years working in NYC, I moved back to my home state of Vermont in 2015 to immerse myself deeply in nature. I am part of the UVM Integrative Health Practitioner Network and I frequently conduct Forest Therapy walks throughout the beautiful state with my organization I founded in 2017, Nature Connection Guide.

Program Timeline

Week 1: March 2nd-9th
* Introduction Forest Bathing Walk I (Greater Burlington Area Secret Location ) Saturday March 1st @ 10am
* Forest Bathing Walk II (Greater Burlington Area Secret Location) Saturday March 9th @ 2pm
* Primary Sense Immersion: Sight
* Assembling the gear and locating your sacred spots
* Daily Tea
Week 2: March 10th-16th
* Sense Immersion: Hearing
* Establishing Routine
* Forest Bathing Walk III (Rock Point Trails, Burlington @3pm)
* Daily Tea
* Morning Ritual
Week 3: March 17th-23rd
* Sense Immersion: Touch
* Full Moon Forest Bathing: (Greater Burlington Area Secret Location) Wednesday, March 20th @ 7:30pm
* Daily Tea
* Morning Ritual
Week 4: March 24th-30th
* Forest Bathing Walk V: Shelburne LaPlatte River, Saturday March 30th @ 10am
* Sense Immersions: Taste & Smell
* Daily Tea
* Morning Ritual
* Incorporating Nature Beyond the Program

See What Forest Bathing Participants Are Saying

“ I have never, ever in my life, taken 2 hours to walk 1/4 mile – and enjoyed it so much. You were right, it was quite different from anything I’d done, yet it all seemed so natural I had to wonder why I had never thought of doing it myself. Thus, the power of Forest Bathing! You are a wonderful guide -> I felt very comfortable with you right from the start, and so delighted in sharing the delights of my own small forest with you. You definitely shined a new light. ”

-Carolyn Aldridge

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Register Today!

March 1st- March 31st

10 spots available

$350 / Buy now through Feb 25th, receive 20% off: $280

Buy Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What is your cancellation policy?

Once you pay for this course, 25 percent is immediately nonrefundable. We understand that sometimes circumstances beyond your control may require you to withdraw from a course. We’ll work with you on a case-by-case basis if any circumstance arises within the first week of your course. However, after seven days, we no longer offer refunds.

What if I’m not satisfied with the program?

If you follow the program, I personally guarantee that you will achieve these 3 outcomes in 30 days:

1. Spent more time outdoors

2. Decreased your stress levels, lesson feelings of anxiety

3. Developed a changed relationship to nature’s healing abilities

If you do not see these results, you will receive your full investment back.

Some Dates don’t work for me. Can I still take part in the program?

If one date does not work for you, let me know and if there are others in your situation, I will schedule an alternative walk.

Questions? Comments?

Duncan Murdoch

CERTIFIED NATURE & FOREST THERAPY GUIDE Duncan is a Certified Nature & Forest Therapy guide living and working in Vermont. He grew up on the shores of Lake Champlain where his deep connection to Nature was formed. Following his passion for art, he moved to NYC where he lived and worked as a professional actor for 14 years. Nature called him to become a horticulturist so he transitioned to become a NYC parks department gardener which lead him to a life of nature (re) connection. After receiving his Nature & Forest Therapy Guide Certification from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) in 2015, he began his practice in New York City guiding the first forest bathing groups in Central Park. He then moved back to his home state in Vermont in 2015 and began his work with the Intervale Center growing and planting native trees where he now serves as the Land Stewardship Coordinator. As a wellness practitioner, he is part of the UVM Integrative Health Practitioner Network and frequently conducts forest bathing experiences throughout Vermont and the world, in-person and online with his organization, Nature Connection Guide.