Hello, my friend!
My fingers still smell faintly of earth and October air. Yesterday, I spent the afternoon doing one of my favorite rituals of fall—foraging for mushrooms in the woods with Gracie, my black lab.
There's something about this season that whispers an invitation to slow down, look closely, and savor the small moments that restore us.
Between the demands of appointments, family obligations, and the mental load we all carry, these pockets of presence feel like medicine. And honestly? They are.
Today, I want to share why getting outside—whether you're foraging, walking, or simply sitting under a tree—might be one of the most powerful things you can do for your nervous system this fall.
Keep reading for woodland adventures, emotional healing through acupuncture, and a beautiful tribute to Jane Goodall that reminded me what it means to be fully human.
👇 In today's email:
- This week's inspiration: Forest Bathing with a Side of Risotto
- Latest blog post: Exploring How Acupuncture Treats Trauma
- What I'm listening to: Jane Goodall in Memoriam: What It Means to Be Human
Forest Bathing with a Side of Risotto
Some people rubberneck on the highway. I rubberneck on country lanes, scanning the base of oak trees for cream-colored fronds with designs for dinner. Maitakes with pappardelle, perhaps.
Yes, it's mushroom season!
Nothing is more divine than spending a warm early October day—like today—in the woods foraging. It settles my often-rattling nervous system to focus on the ground, observe the texture of bark, and crane my head up to the canopy for the rounded lobe leaf structure of the oak—a tree that Maitakes favor.
Why This Matters for Your Health
You've probably heard of "forest bathing," the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku—immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the forest. But here's what you might not know: spending time in nature doesn't just feel good, it actually rewires your stress response.
When we're surrounded by trees, our cortisol levels drop, our heart rate variability improves, and our parasympathetic nervous system—the "rest and digest" mode—gets activated. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we call this nourishing your Shen, or spirit. It's the antidote to the constant hum of modern life.
Forest Bathing with an Ulterior Motive
For me, foraging adds a layer of focus and intention. It's forest bathing with the promise of an A+ yummy meal—maybe a risotto with hen of the woods, garlic, chives from the garden, and a pat of salted French butter. (Yes, I'm already planning tonight's dinner.)
I bring Gracie because she keeps me from losing my way in the brush. She thinks I'm stupid for getting lost. I think she's stupid for eating rocks. So we're even.
Since it's officially hunting season, we wear orange. While I may not have much in common with game hunters, we share a love of the outdoors and the thrill of bringing home something for dinner.
Making Space for Joy
Last night, the foraging adventure ended with an almost-full moon ocean plunge—laughs, frolics, and the admission that every beautiful moment should be soaked up through every pore of our being, to offset the hard stuff.
Because here's the truth: life will always bring challenges. Hormones will shift. Relationships will require work. Bodies will change. But joy? Joy is also always available. We just have to give ourselves permission to reach for it.
Your Invitation
This week, I encourage you to find your version of forest bathing. Maybe it's a walk in a nearby park, sitting under a tree with your morning tea, or simply opening a window and breathing in the autumn air. Let your nervous system soften. Let the earth hold you, even for a few minutes.
Yes, you can make space for this because you deserve it.
Exploring How Acupuncture Treats Trauma
Our nervous system is intricately connected to our relationship with trauma. When we experience stress or trauma—whether it's a single event or the accumulation of years of overwhelm—our bodies hold onto it. This can show up as chronic tension, digestive issues, anxiety, or even physical pain.
In my practice, I see clients transformed every week through acupuncture's ability to address emotional trauma at the nervous system level. Acupuncture helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, shifting us out of fight-or-flight and into a state where healing can happen.
In this post, I break down:
- How trauma lives in the body
- The science behind acupuncture and nervous system regulation
- What a trauma-informed acupuncture session looks like
- Stories of healing from my clinic
If you've been carrying emotional weight and wondering if there's a way to release it without reliving it, this post is for you.
Jane Goodall in Memoriam: What It Means to Be Human
Jane Goodall was a true inspiration and an international treasure. Her life's work—studying chimpanzees in the wild and advocating for conservation—changed how we understand ourselves and our place in the natural world.
This 2020 interview captures her wisdom, humor, and profound empathy. She speaks about what it means to be human, the importance of hope, and how small actions can create ripples of change.
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, remember: this is a season for gathering—not just mushrooms or memories, but also your own energy.
Give yourself permission to rest, to forage for joy, and to honor the quiet moments that restore you.
I'm cheering for you. Have a beautiful week!
Dr. Catherine