In this third episode of Be Well with Dr. Michelle Greenwell, Laurin Wittig returns to explore how deep presence in nature can transform our mental health, reframe the experience of dementia, and restore peace to the body, mind, and spirit.
After her time away immersed in the stillness of forests and lakes, Laurin reflects on the difference between looking at nature and walking within it. This shift — from observer to participant — changes everything. It allows us to become part of nature’s flow, to synchronize our breath with the rhythm of the earth, and to dissolve the illusion of separation that often defines modern life.
“When we step into nature with all five senses open,” Laurin shares, “we create sensual memories that reconnect us to peace, resilience, and joy.”
Dementia often evokes fear — fear of loss, confusion, or decline. But Laurin invites us to see memory and mind through a different lens: as part of a living system that responds to love, rhythm, and connection. In nature, there is no judgment about forgetting or slowing down — only the unfolding of cycles, seasons, and transitions.
When we open our senses fully — feeling the texture of a leaf, hearing the heartbeat of the wind, tasting the freshness of the air — the nervous system begins to regulate. This presence brings us into coherence, reducing stress and aligning our energy with the Earth’s steady heartbeat.
In bioenergetic wellness, we understand this as resonance — when our frequency harmonizes with natural rhythms, and the energy pathways of the body open to healing.
The Role of the Five Elements
Laurin and Michelle use the Five Element Wheel — a cornerstone in energy medicine — as a guide for self-discovery and harmony. Each element carries both a challenge and a gift, a Ko and a Shen cycle that reflect the balance of creation and control.
Wood (growth, clarity, direction)
Fire (passion, joy, connection)
Earth (nourishment, balance, trust)
Metal (letting go, integrity, clarity)
Water (wisdom, flow, rest)
By observing nature through colour, movement, and texture, we can attune to the cycles at play within us. For example, the brilliant reds of autumn ignite the Fire element, inviting joy and release, while the grounding browns and golds of fallen leaves reconnect us to Earth’s steady rhythm.
TEAlightful: A Ritual of Connection
To deepen this sensory experience, the episode features a tea ritual with TEAlightful — a blend that celebrates warmth, vitality, and heart-centered joy.
Fireweed brings resilience, reminding us of nature’s ability to renew even after fire or hardship.
Vanilla soothes the heart and nurtures self-compassion, helping us release self-judgment and fear.
Hibiscus connects us to the essence of love and flow, supporting healthy circulation and emotional openness.
Cinnamon and Clove awaken the Fire element — stimulating energy, promoting mental clarity, and igniting creative spark.
Together, these botanicals create a sensory bridge between body and spirit, inviting listeners to savour their tea as a meditation.
Tools for Transformation
Two simple bioenergetic wellness tools were shared to enhance awareness and healing:
Using the Five Senses in Nature — Take five minutes daily to truly be in nature. Focus on what you can see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. This sensory immersion reawakens the parasympathetic nervous system, easing anxiety and restoring calm.
Exploring the Five Element Wheel with Colour — As you look around, notice the dominant colours and their energetic resonance. What element do they speak to? How might that energy support balance within you today?
These tools cultivate mindfulness and embodiment, both essential in maintaining emotional stability and cognitive health.
Redefining Dementia and Mental Wellness
Laurin’s reflections remind us that dementia does not define a person; it is an invitation to live differently — more slowly, more intentionally, more connected. Through the lens of energy medicine, we can see that our cells, memories, and experiences are fields of light and vibration that respond to how we think, feel, and interact with our environment.
When we choose to live in rhythm with nature — rather than resisting change — we begin to dissolve generational patterns of fear, illness, and disconnection.
An Invitation to Presence
As the episode closes, Michelle and Laurin invite listeners to brew a cup of TEAlightful, step outside, and take in the world through all five senses. Notice the way sunlight moves through leaves. Listen to the song of the wind. Feel the warmth of your cup as an anchor to the present moment.
In this union with nature, healing begins — quietly, deeply, and beautifully.
Moving More in Nature
This section is a reminder to embrace the special programs of Tai Chi, Qi YINtegration, and Movement and Music to empower your time in nature. You can find classes on the Calendar for Inverness County with Tai Chi Cape Breton, on the website for Wine Country Tai Chi Society in West Kelowna and Peachland, BC, and in the shop for Dr Michelle’s special online programs. You can discover your superpower by reconnecting with your inner movement patterns and then discover how they are empowered in nature.
