Nature as Medicine: Pre-Finals Week Stress Release Activity

Sonoma State University Butterfly Garden
December 2, 2025, Tue, Dec 2, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
December 3, 2025, Wed, Dec 3, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Admission Fees: none

(Each participant should register separately)

Join us for a pre-exam stress-relieving Nature as Medicine session on the SSU campus. The session will be led by Sarah Murphy, MD, a Family and Integrative Medicine physician who works at the Student Health Center. 

This will be a mellow, calm, tech-free immersion in nature where you will pay close attention to sensory details around you to develop a sense of presence and connection. 

Studies on forest immersion experiences like this have demonstrated they decrease stress levels, anxiety, and low mood, and increase attention, feelings of connectedness and well-being, and even help boost the immune system. We hope the experience will help you feel refreshed, grounded, and mentally recharged going into finals week.

If you have questions reach out to Dr. Sarah Murphy at (707) 664-2921 or [email protected]

Presenter 

Sarah Murphy, MD is a Family and Integrative Physician who works part-time at the SSU Student Health Center. She is passionate about the health and wellness of her patients, and our planet. Dr. Murphy is a licensed Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. 

Logistics 

No previous experience or knowledge is required to participate. This is an electronic device-free experience.

For the in-person event:

The maximum distance will be 0.5 mile on flat ground.

We will meet on the main SSU Campus at the Butterfly Garden, within the Native Plant Garden, located in the northeast corner of campus near Parking Lot G.

If you are not sure where the Butterfly Garden is...

1. Type the following coordinates into google maps: 38.342690, -122.671951
2. Look at the Campus Map: The Butterfly Garden is between the Gymnasium and Copeland Creek.
3. Recommended parking: Lot G (if you do not have a parking pass remember to purchase a Daily Parking Permit in advance), or use public transportation

For the virtual zoom event:

Use the registration link above to register and you will receive the zoom link via email.

What to Bring

Please dress warmly with footwear appropriate for walking around the Native Plant Garden and Copeland Creek Nature Corridor. Tennis shoes should be fine, and remember to bring a water bottle.

How to Sign Up

See registration links above. Each person should register separately. These events are free of charge.

About the Center

Sonoma State University’s Center for Environmental Inquiry empowers university students to work with community members on the environmental challenges of the North Bay. Our mission is to create an engaged and environmentally ready society, one where all people have the skills to find solutions to the challenges facing our earth. SSU Preserves are open to everyone engaged in education or research. Reservations are required.

“This event is supported by a California Climate Action Corps Fellow”