Kathy Andio

As a child, I live in a neighborhood surrounded by oat fields and forest.  Because of that, I have always enjoyed the outdoors and have been exploring nature on my own ever since!

I have been an avid ecologist, recycling long before it was a "thing!"  I participated in the first Earth Day in my hometown by helping others clean out a local river.

When I look back at vision boards I have made in the past, they were full of pictures of nature.  One of the articles that was on a vision board was about Forest Bathing.  While the concept was intriguing, I was waaaayyy too busy with my work life, and life in general, to entertain the thought of following up on doing something about it!  I figured I would investigate it someday when I had the time!

Then then pandemic hit and suddenly I had LOTS of time!  I found a Nature Therapy Guide leading a walk in my area, and I immediately registered.  It was an encounter with nature that I had never experienced before! By the end of the walk, I was hooked and knew I had found my niche.

I became a certified Nature Therapy Guide in 2022 and have loved every aspect of being one!  And, oh by the way, even though I have another part-time job, work isn't as important as I thought it was!  Connecting with Nature has become my priority!

Keywords: Forest bathing Nature Therapy