A Breath of Fresh Air: Natural Wine & the Benefits of Dirt on Mental Health
Join Northwest Outward Bound School as we learn about natural wines and the benefits of dirt on mental health!
Northwest Outward Bound School is hosting A Breath of Fresh Air event, including presentations on natural wines and the benefits of dirt on mental health. Join us and Tyler Meurk as they discuss natural wines and offer attendees a natural wine tasting. Afterwards, Northwest Outward Bound School staff will be hosting a discussion on the benefits of dirt on mental health with a small hands-on activity!
Funds raised will support and strengthen Northwest Outward Bound School's programming to serve more students through discovery. Donate today at nwobs.org/donate.
Presentation and tasting of natural wines by Tyler Meurk -While there is no universally accepted definition of natural wine, it is generally agreed to be wine that is farmed organically (biodynamically, using permaculture or the like) and made (or rather transformed) without adding or removing anything in the cellar.
The Benefits of Dirt for Mental Health
Hear from local Mental Health Therapist, Christy Alexander, about the correlation between time spent outdoors and our mental wellness. Christy has a special interest in how our connection with nature influences our mental state, and has extensive knowledge on how there are actually microbiomes in soil that boost serotonin levels. In other words, Christy believes that playing in the dirt is a way to care for our mental health!
Christy Alexander is a licensed mental health therapist in Bellevue, Washington who integrates traditional and alternative modalities to help clients access healing and cultivate wellness in all aspects of their lives. Christy views therapy as a dynamic, collaborative process between the client and counselor. She views individuals through a lens that is person-centered while considering the larger intersecting systems in which we operate as humans. Her approach is essentially attachment based with an emphasis on fostering mind-body awareness, and includes somatic and energy work. She incorporates EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), a system that utilizes energy meridian tapping along with cognitive interventions to achieve rapid healing and transformation. Her main interest is facilitating the expansion of individual and collective consciousness by helping each individual achieve freedom from limitation, allowing them to grow into their fullest expression of authentic self. She is trained in several evidence-based Mind-body modalities including Somatic trauma therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). She also practices Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy, a dynamic mind-body approach that she has found highly effective for deepening and accelerating the inner child healing process by accessing and building on internal and external resources, including connection with nature and time spent outdoors.
*Covid-19 Statement
NWOBS is following the Multnomah County guidelines for COVID-19. The risk Multnomah County is currently low; masks or vaccination card checks will NOT be required.
Header photo by Quinn Brasel. Banner photo by Quinn Brasel.
Check out this list of resources from Christy Alexander about time in the outdoors for our mental health!
Stay informed on Northwest Outward Bound School news and updates! Please fill out the form below to begin receiving our email newsletter.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Please visit our
Privacy Policy to learn more.