Most of us think of medicine as something that comes in a pill bottle or a hospital setting. But what if one of the most powerful prescriptions for lowering blood pressure, calming anxiety, and even boosting immunity doesn't come from a pharmacy at all?

What if it comes from the forest and elements of nature?

Spending intentional time in nature doesn't just feel good; it rewires the nervous system, lowers stress hormones like cortisol, and even enhances immune defenses against disease.

Forest therapy taps into this ancient truth with modern scientific validation: our bodies, minds, and spirits were designed to thrive in connection with the natural world.

Yet in our overstimulated, urbanized lives, that connection is fraying. We scroll endlessly, jump from task to task, and fill every quiet moment with noise.

Nature isn't just a backdrop for relaxation; it's an active participant in our healing.

Even a short walk among greenery reduces inflammation markers linked to chronic disease.

How do we tap into nature's healing abilities? How do we use forest therapy to quiet our inner chatter?

In this episode, I'm joined by healthcare leader, educator, certified executive coach, and certified Forest Therapy guide, Dr. Susan Abookire.

We explore the physiological, emotional, mental, and spiritual power of reconnecting with nature, and how to make it a habit.

We also talk about overlooked yet transformative interventions for stress, chronic disease, and emotional well-being.

Things You'll Learn In This Episode

-Stress isn't the root problem; disconnection is Chronic stress hormones drive disease, but is our real issue a loss of connection to nature and each other?

-Why trees boost immunity What happens in your body when you inhale phytoncides, the compounds released by trees? How do they supercharge natural killer cells that fight infection and even cancer?

-The attention restoration effect How does stepping into green space rebuild cognitive resources drained by digital overload and constant problem-solving?

-The healing power of stillness From "sit spots" to slowing down your senses, how can simple daily practices in nature recalibrate your nervous system and deepen resilience?

Guest Bio

Dr. Susan Abookire is a healthcare leader, educator, certified executive coach, and certified Forest Therapy guide. She started her career as an electrical engineer, designing aviation systems for aviation safety. Her journey then took her to Harvard Medical School, where she entered healthcare with a deep passion for designing healthy, thriving systems in healthcare delivery. After over 20+ years as a healthcare executive designing healthcare delivery systems, Dr. Abookire began teaching systems and relying on nature as our model and teacher. One day, she saw an article about Forest Bathing and becoming a Certified Forest Therapy Guide. I immediately connected with the knowledge that I was going to do this. One year later, in 2020, she began incorporating Forest Bathing and Forest Therapy in all her work. Dr. Abookire has dedicated her life to connecting us with ourselves, with nature, and with each other.

Her programs include 1:1 coaching for women physician leaders, group coaching programs, and Nature as Medicine Practitioner training and certification. To learn more about Dr. Abookire's program, visit https://www.naturesystemsinstitute.com/.

About Your Host

Hosted by Dr. Deepa Grandon, MD, MBA, a triple board-certified physician with over 23 years of experience working as a Physician Consultant for influential organizations worldwide. Dr. Grandon is the founder of Transformational Life Consulting (TLC) and an outspoken faith-based leader in evidence-based lifestyle medicine.

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