About

About Me

I'm Melissa Hammon. I'm a Forest Therapy Guide certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT). I'm also a Certified Naturalist. From a young age, I have felt a deep connection with nature.

My passion for nature led me to pursue a path that allows me to share this connection with others. My goal is to help you discover the profound benefits of connecting with nature.

I look forward to walking with you soon!

The History

In Japan in 1982, when the Japanese people were experiencing a tech boom, people were suddenly spending more time inside doing more technology-based jobs. The government noticed that there was a large spike in cancer and autoimmune disease. They started research projects to figure out how to combat this. One of these projects wanted to find out what happens when we’re exposed to forest environments.

A key finding from this project was that trees emit chemicals called phytoncides as a defense mechanism, and when humans inhale these phytoncides or absorb them through our skin, it causes our bodies to produce a kind of white blood cell called natural killer cells that can find and destroy harmful cells in the early stages, preventing viruses and cancer cells from spreading.

Because when we’re in the forest we’re essentially bathing in these phytoncides, the practice of going into the forest for these health benefits became known as “forest bathing” or Shinrin-yoku in Japanese.

The Science

Forest therapy is rooted in a wealth of scientific research showing how spending time in nature improves mental and physical well-being. This practice engages the body's "rest and digest" system, counterbalancing the constant stress most of us experience in modern life. Forest therapy helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress hormone levels like cortisol and allowing our bodies to recuperate, sleep better, and digest more effectively.

Another aspect of forest therapy is its alignment with Attention Restoration Theory (ART), which suggests that natural settings help to clear mental fatigue, allowing for improved focus, mental clarity, and reflection. Forest therapy provides a pathway to relax, be present, and feel restored—a kind of reset that has tangible health benefits for mind, body, and spirit.

Below are some resources that provide more information about the science and health benefits of forest therapy.

Dose of Nature Website - The Science

BBC Podcast - The Healing Power of Forests

Effects of Forest Environment (Shinrin-yoky/ForestBathing) on Health Promotion and Disease Pevention - the Establishment of "Forest Medicine"