Hello, and Happy Sunday (sorry I’m a day late!)

This week, we’re diving into the healing powers of desert fragrance bathing and how it can help restore your mind and body. We’ll share tips on how to incorporate this practice into your routine, as well as some local Tucson gems to explore this week.

If you’re in town, don’t miss the Moon Market — a free, in-person event full of local treasures.

For those tuning in from home, check out “From Stuck to Spark – Finding Your Flow Again”, a free online event to reignite your passion and creativity.

Also, to celebrate the recent Earth Day, we’ve got a special treat for you — a 40% off sale from our favorite online gem store! Click the link to shop and treat yourself to some beautiful, earth-inspired treasures.

Enjoy the newsletter, and I hope this week brings you a sense of peace and inspiration!

Nature as Healer: How Cactus/Forest Bathing, Outdoor Mindfulness, and Grounding Boost Mental Health

In today's fast-paced, hyper-connected world, many of us are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and disconnected—not just from others, but from ourselves. One of the most profound yet simple remedies? Stepping outside. Nature, it turns out, isn't just a backdrop for relaxation—it's a powerful healer.

The Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or "forest bathing," goes far beyond a casual stroll through the woods. It’s a mindful, intentional way of reconnecting with nature—and research increasingly shows that it's a legitimate, science-backed method for improving both mental and physical health.

Cactus Bathing - Our Local Tucson Version of Forest Bathing!

When you think of "cactus forest bathing," it might sound unusual, but it’s actually a deeply relaxing practice. In Tucson, it's known as desert fragrance bathing — where instead of focusing on cacti, we take in the unique desert atmosphere, breathing in the natural scents of the land.

Inspired by Japan’s shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, this practice helps us reconnect with nature in a therapeutic way. According to ethnobiologist Gary Paul Nabhan, early mornings are the best time to try it. “Focus on inhaling the desert’s chemical fragrances for about 30 minutes,” he says, noting the cooler air makes the experience even more enriching.

Nabhan has built his own fragrance garden at home, where he practices morning meditation surrounded by plants like pomegranates, yucca, mesquite, and mint. He’s also creating public gardens around Tucson for others to enjoy, including one at the University of Arizona and another at Tumamoc Hill.

After just one desert fragrance session, people report feeling more relaxed, with reduced stress, better sleep, and improved creativity. Nabhan recommends places like Yetman Trail, Sabino Canyon, or Saguaro National Park for a walking meditation. If you’re interested in guided sessions, keep an eye out for workshops from Pima County Parks and Recreation.

Next time you’re out in the desert, take a deep breath and immerse yourself in its healing atmosphere. You might just leave feeling restored and refreshed.

The Science Behind Forest/Cactus Bathing

When we immerse ourselves in a forest setting, something remarkable happens on a physiological level. Studies have found that spending even a short time among trees can:

• Lower cortisol levels (the body’s main stress hormone)

• Reduce blood pressure and heart rate

• Strengthen the immune system by increasing the activity of natural killer (NK) cells

• Decrease inflammation markers in the body

One key factor? Phytoncides—the natural aromatic compounds trees and plants release—act almost like invisible healers. Breathing them in has been linked to boosted immune function and improved mood.

But it's not just our bodies that respond. Our minds quiet down in nature. Research shows that just 20 minutes in a natural environment can significantly lower anxiety, decrease negative thinking patterns like rumination, and boost feelings of well-being, creativity, and focus.

Nature isn’t just beautiful—it’s therapeutic on a deep, cellular level.

Mindfulness and Grounding in the Wild

Practicing mindfulness outdoors offers a different, often easier, entry point than traditional indoor meditation. Instead of sitting still and focusing inward, nature draws our senses outward in gentle, effortless ways:

• Soundscapes: Birds, breezes, and flowing water create a natural white noise that calms the mind.

• Visual beauty: Fractals (patterns found in leaves, branches, and rivers) have been shown to naturally reduce stress.

• Tactile stimulation: Touching the roughness of tree bark or the softness of moss brings attention fully into the present moment.

One particularly powerful outdoor practice is grounding, also known as "earthing." Grounding involves making direct physical contact with the earth—walking barefoot on grass, soil, or sand, or even lying down on the ground. Emerging studies suggest that grounding can:

• Decrease inflammation and pain

• Improve sleep quality

• Balance the nervous system by shifting from "fight or flight" to "rest and digest"

• Reduce feelings of anxiety and depression

The Earth carries a subtle electric charge, and direct contact with it seems to help balance the body's electrical system. Grounding is like plugging yourself back into the planet’s natural healing energy.

Even a few minutes of standing barefoot on grass, or sitting against a tree, can deeply recharge your mind, body, and spirit.

How to Practice Forest/Cactus Bathing and Grounding

Forest bathing and grounding aren’t about accomplishing anything. They’re about being:

• Find a natural area—anything from a national forest to a city park.

• Turn off your phone or leave it behind.

• Move slowly, allowing your senses—not your mind—to lead.

• Notice textures, colors, scents, sounds, and the sensation of the ground beneath you.

• If possible, remove your shoes and feel the earth directly.

• Pause often to breathe deeply and fully immerse yourself in the moment.

• Sit quietly against a tree or on a patch of grass, allowing the Earth’s energy to support and soothe you.

If you can't access a forest or park easily, don’t worry. Tending houseplants, sitting by a garden, dipping your toes into a stream, or even touching a potted plant with intention can connect you with nature’s healing power.

Nature: The Forgotten Medicine

As mental health challenges continue to rise, perhaps part of the solution has been right outside all along.
Nature reminds us that we are part of a greater whole. In the rhythm of the trees, the whisper of the breeze, and the solid presence of the earth beneath our feet, we find a path back to ourselves.

You don't need expensive retreats, apps, or complicated rituals. Healing is often just a few mindful steps away—across the lawn, under the trees, barefoot on the earth.
Sometimes, the greatest transformations begin by simply returning home to nature.

Tucson Event: 🌙 A Day at the Moon Markets 🌙

Curious about your Soul’s journey or seeking a deeper connection with the Spiritual World?

Join us at the Moon Markets, hosted by Four of Wands and Spark Project Collective! You'll discover a vibrant community of makers, intuitive readers, energy workers, and artisans ready to support your exploration.

Enjoy free mini-classes, live Astrology-themed Flash Tattoos, and a magical market atmosphere filled with learning, healing, and discovery.
📅 Upcoming dates:

• 5/11 – Taurus New Moon (Taurus Tattoos)

• 5/25 – Sagittarius Full Moon Celebration (Sagittarius + Gemini Tattoos)
  📍 Location: 4349 E. Broadway Blvd, Tucson, Arizona
  🕑 Two Saturdays a month | 2–9 PM | Food vendors on site!
  🔗 Learn more here

Come experience the magic and celebrate your cosmic self!

🌟 Free Online Workshop: From Stuck to Spark — Finding Your Flow Again 🌟

🗓 Date: Tuesday, April 29
🕘 Time: 9:00–10:00 AM MST
📍 Location: Online (link provided upon registration)

Have you ever felt like the harder you push, the more stuck you become? You’re not alone. Sometimes, what we really need isn’t more effort — it’s a reset.

Join Tiffany Burrows, Spiritual Coach and Intuitive Healer, for a transformational hour designed to help you reconnect with your natural flow. In this inspiring workshop, you’ll discover how to:

✨ Break free from overthinking and mental loops
✨ Reignite your creative energy
✨ Release what's blocking your progress
✨ Shift from forcing outcomes to allowing miracles
✨ Align with ease, joy, and your inner wisdom

This session is inspired by Tiffany’s own journey and the teachings of A Course in Miracles, reminding us that miracles are a natural expression of love — and that getting back in flow is possible for everyone.

If you’re feeling stuck, uninspired, or like you’re paddling upstream, this event will offer you a refreshing new path forward. It’s time to stop forcing and start flowing — because life is meant to feel good.

🔗 Register now to save your spot!
(You’ll also receive occasional updates from Tiffany Burrows — unsubscribe anytime.)

Conscious Gems - Earth Day Sale!

Ancient Crystal Wisdom for Modern Souls

Discover healing crystal tools that combine ancient wisdom with modern needs, bringing you closer to nature and your true self.

Click Here for more details

I hope you enjoyed this week’s newsletter!

Sending you light, wellness, and gentle guidance from nature,

Tomoko

Click Here to learn how a QHHT session can help heal and empower you through gentle spiritual transformation.