Neuroscience Says: Take Your EO Forum Gatherings Outside

Most forum retreats focus on who’s attending and what can be squeezed into the agenda, less often on what’s needed for everyone to truly be vulnerable and go deep. Few spend enough time asking what space is most conducive for intimate sharing. And not just which restaurant or hotel conference room but what kind of space truly supports depth, connection, and presence? 

If you're not intentionally choosing nature as part of your retreat experience, you're missing one of the most powerful catalysts for connection and transformation available to you.

Why Nature Changes Everything

As a forum retreat facilitator, and someone who has spent years designing and leading retreats in every kind of setting, from hotels to high-end lodges to open-air natural sanctuaries, I can tell you this: nothing accelerates vulnerability, openness, and connection like time immersed in wild nature. I've seen it happen again and again. 

There's a reason for this. It's not just poetic, it's physiological.

The Brain Science Nobody Talks About

Nature changes the brain. Within minutes of stepping into a natural environment, cortisol levels improve. Heart rates slow down. The nervous system begins to shift from fight-or-flight into a state of calm, open awareness.

At my retreat center, Casa Alternavida, we tracked the impact of nature-based retreats over a five-day period, and the data was impressive. Participants experienced a 44% improvement in cortisol levels, an 87% drop in perceived stress weight, and an 8 to 12% reduction in blood pressure. And that's without any medications or wearables.. Just nature. Clean air. Intentional space. And uninterrupted time to reflect.

This kind of physiological shift creates the conditions for real transformation. People share more honestly. They listen with fewer filters. They laugh more. Cry more. Heal faster. And they carry those changes back into their lives and businesses.

You Can't Get That From a Conference Room

A windowless hotel conference room is not supportive. No matter how nice the AV system or how fresh the coffee, indoor spaces simply can't replicate what nature does to our nervous systems.

I've facilitated EO forum retreats in five-star hotels with every amenity imaginable. The chairs were perfect. The temperature precisely controlled. The catering exquisite. And yet, if there were no windows, something big was always missing. The conversations stayed at a certain level. The breakthroughs felt forced. The energy required constant management.

When I am able to take groups outside. Everything changes.

Not All Nature Is the Same

Let's be clear: not all "nature" is the same. A golf course is not true nature. Neither is a manicured lawn or a paved resort path surrounded by palm trees. What we're talking about here is wild, living ecosystems, places where nature is alive, dynamic, and vibrant with complexity. Forests. Rivers. Coastal cliffs. Mountain trails. Spaces where the human nervous system can recalibrate to something deeper and more ancient.

Why Real Nature Matters

Because real nature doesn't just calm the body, it awakens the senses and opens the heart.

Studies have shown that time in natural ecosystems enhances empathy, strengthens emotional regulation, and fosters a greater sense of connection to others. When people are surrounded by trees, water, or wild landscapes, they become more open, more generous, and more emotionally available. They feel something bigger than themselves. And that's the perfect foundation for the kind of vulnerability forum gatherings are built on.

Groups that spend time outdoors, real time, not just a team-building hour between PowerPoint slides, experience deeper bonding, increased curiosity, openness, and lasting breakthroughs.

The Research Backs This Up

In fact, research from the University of Illinois and Stanford University found that people immersed in nature showed improved attention, reduced rumination, and increased activity in the parts of the brain associated with emotional stability and perspective-taking.

Translation? Nature helps people see themselves, and each other, more clearly.

What We've Learned at Casa Alternavida

Over the past five years facilitating EO forum retreats in Puerto Rico, we've documented consistent patterns. Forum retreats that spend at least 50% of their time in natural settings report: 

• 3x more breakthrough moments 

• Deeper emotional connections between members 

• Better retention of insights post-retreat 

• Increased follow-through on commitments 

This isn't anecdotal. We've tracked data from participants across multiple forums. 

Yes, Nature Comes with Trade-offs

Let's be real, some people get squeamish about bugs. Others worry about heat, or don't like the idea of sitting on a log instead of a chair. These concerns are valid, and they don't have to be deal-breakers. The key is balance.

You don't need to hike deep into the wilderness or sleep in tents to experience the benefits of nature. It might be as simple as gathering in a shaded grove along a river, where the breeze naturally cools the air and the sounds of moving water create a calming backdrop. A spot like that, with natural seating or a few arranged logs in a circle, becomes a powerful container for vulnerable, restorative dialogue.

If being outside like this is beyond of the comfort zone of some members then select a conference room with big windows that at least overlook wild nature.  

Making Nature Comfortable

It's also possible to prepare: bring comfortable cushions or mats, choose a time of day when the light is soft and the temperature mild, and yes, have healthy, organic bug repellent on hand if needed. Avoid areas with dense standing water and opt for open, breezy spaces that reduce mosquito activity.

The point isn’t perfection. The point is intentionality to create a space where stillness, honesty, and presence can unfold naturally. A space that reminds people they're part of something larger, alive, and interconnected with nature.

The Magic Moment of Dropping In

Because once someone drops into that kind of space, something shifts. They show up differently. They speak more truthfully. They listen more deeply.

I remember one CEO who had been struggling with a major decision about selling his company. We spent the traditional time in a deep dive forum process, exploring every angle. Good work, but no breakthrough. Then we went to the beach, all standing  in the ocean watching the ocean. Within minutes of settling into the natural rhythm of waves and wind, he started crying. "I don't want to sell," he said. "I just want to stop running so hard."

That clarity, that truth, emerged not from clever questions or sophisticated exercises. It came from giving his nervous system permission to relax into something bigger than conference room walls.

Planning Your Nature-Based Forum Experience

When it comes to planning EO forum retreats that leverage nature's power, timing and design matter as much as location. Here's what we've learned works best.

The Rhythm of Natural Days

Start early. Natural light creates natural rhythms. Begin with solo time at sunrise, when the world is quiet and the mind is fresh. Use mid-morning for your most intensive forum work, when energy is high but heat hasn't hit as hard yet. Take long breaks during peak afternoon sun for rest and reflection. Return for mid-afternoon sessions as temperatures cool and golden light creates intimacy.

This rhythm isn't arbitrary. It follows our circadian biology and the natural flow of attention and energy throughout the day.

Choosing Your Spots

The best EO forum retreat exercises happen in spaces that feel held but not confined. Look for: 

• Natural circles created by surrounding trees or rocks 

• Proximity to moving water for sound masking 

• Multiple microenvironments within short walking distance for reflection breaks 

•  Protection from heavy wind but access to fresh air 

• Views that inspire without overwhelming

When scouting wild nature locations for corporate team building retreats in Puerto Rico, I spend hours sitting in different spots, feeling how each one affects my state, watching how conditions change. The right location almost chooses itself.

Beyond the Logistics

It's time to stop settling for stale spaces. If the goal of the forum is to go deep, to access the kind of connection, vulnerability, and personal truth that changes lives, then the space must support that. And nature is one of the most powerful allies we have.

This isn't about being trendy. It's about being effective.

Start Small, Start Now

If your forum has never held a gathering outdoors, start small. Find a quiet place with shade, breeze, and beauty. Leave the laptops behind. Sit in a circle. Let the sounds of birds or flowing water become the background music. Notice what shifts.

And when it comes time to plan your next forum retreat, ask the bigger question: What kind of environment will allow your group to really show up? You don't need luxury. You need life. You need presence. You need nature.

The Deeper Science of Natural Connection

Recent neuroscience research reveals even more about why nature-based forum retreats create such powerful results. When we're in natural environments, our brains shift from narrow-focus attention (perfect for spreadsheets, terrible for breakthrough thinking) to open and curious attention. This state allows us to perceive patterns, make unexpected connections, and access intuitive wisdom.

Dr. David Strayer's research at the University of Utah shows that just three days in nature without technology increases creative problem-solving by 50%. Imagine what that means for forum work, where creative solutions to life and business challenges are the entire point.

The Technology Paradox

Interestingly, the entrepreneurs and executives who most need nature's benefits are often the most resistant. They worry about being disconnected, about missing urgent emails, about appearing less serious. Yet these are the very people whose nervous systems are most overstimulated and most in need of stillness and recalibration.

One tech founder told me he almost cancelled his spot in our nature-based retreat because he couldn't imagine being offline for three days. By day two, he was journaling furiously by the river, downloading insights that had been blocked by the constant input of his normal life. He later credited that retreat with the strategic pivot that saved his company.

Designing Transformative Experiences

The most powerful EO forum retreat planning starts with understanding that nature isn't just a backdrop, it's a living co-facilitator supporting the process of transformation.. Here's how to design experiences that maximize this partnership.

Morning Practices

Begin each day with solo time in nature before any group work. This isn't meditation, though it can be. It's simply time to arrive, to let the traveling nervous system settle, to remember why you're here. Twenty minutes of watching sunrise, walking slowly, or sitting by water does more to prepare people for deep work than any amount of agenda-setting.

The Power of Silence

Natural environments make silence comfortable in ways that indoor spaces rarely can. Use this gift. Build in periods of quiet reflection after each major share. Let the birds and wind hold the space while insights settle. These pauses, which might feel awkward in a conference room, feel perfectly natural outdoors.

Movement and Metaphor

Nature invites movement, and activates presence that unlocks emotion.. Walking discussions, where pairs move slowly through natural settings, often produce more honest conversation than sitting face-to-face. The side-by-side positioning, the rhythm of steps, the changing scenery all contribute to dropping defenses.

Working with Weather and Seasons

One common concern about outdoor forums is weather unpredictability. This concern misses a crucial point: weather is part of the teaching. A mirror, just like nature, for how we adapt, respond, and grow.. A sudden rain shower that sends everyone scrambling for cover becomes a perfect metaphor for life's unexpected storms. An unusually hot day that requires adaptation mirrors business challenges that demand flexibility.

Seasonal Considerations

Different seasons offer different gifts for forum work. Spring's new growth supports conversations about beginnings and potential. Summer's abundance mirrors times of harvest and celebration. Fall's letting go provides a natural container for release and transition. Even winter, in climates that allow outdoor work, offers lessons about dormancy and patience.

The key is designing EO forum retreats in tropical climates like Puerto Rico or elsewhere that work with, not against, seasonal patterns. This might mean breaking away from your winter to go enjoy eternal summer there.,

The Container of Safety

Some facilitators worry that outdoor settings are too uncontrolled for the deep emotional work of forum. In my experience, the opposite is true. Nature provides a container far stronger than any walls. A living, breathing co-facilitator representing acceptance, continuity, and perspective.

When someone breaks down crying in a conference room, there's often an awkward energy, a sense that we need to "fix" something. When the same breakdown happens beside a river or under ancient trees, it feels held by something larger. The person crying isn't alone with their pain; they're supported also by the enduring presence of the natural world.

Creating Emotional Safety Outdoors

This doesn't happen automatically. Creating emotional safety in natural settings requires: 

• • Clear agreements around distractions,confidentiality and respect 

•  Physical comfort through proper seating and weather protection

•  Skilled facilitation that can work with natural distractions 

• Backup plans for extreme weather without abandoning outdoor priority 

•  Trust built through gradual exposure to outdoor work

The ROI Question

Eventually, every forum considering nature-based work asks about return on investment. Is the added complexity of outdoor retreats worth it? The data says yes, overwhelmingly.

Measurable Outcomes

Forums that transition to regular nature-based gatherings report measurable improvements in business metrics, but in leadership presence and personal clarity. Members make better strategic decisions when their nervous systems are regulated. They show up more authentically for each other. They navigate challenges with greater resilience.

Your Next Steps

We've spent years gathering data and watching what happens when forums and other retreat groups step into nature. The emotional breakthroughs, the belly laughs, the forgiveness, the courage, it's not luck. It's the setting. The outdoor space becomes the co-facilitator

Making the Shift

Start where you are. If you're planning a forum retreat in Puerto Rico or anywhere else, prioritize outdoor time that invites presence and perspective.. If you're designing your annual forum calendar, include at least one fully nature-based gathering. If you're skeptical, try a single outdoor session and pay attention to what's different.

The biggest barrier isn't logistics or weather or bugs. It's the belief that serious work requires serious spaces, that depth needs walls and whiteboards. This belief keeps us trapped in environments that actually limit our potential for transformation.

The Invitation

So stop underestimating the power of the wild. Your forum deserves more than carpeted rooms, artificial light and filtered air. 

Choose nature. Choose aliveness. And watch what unfolds.

The next time you're crafting your EO forum retreat or monthly forum gatherings, put your meeting environment at the top of the list, not the bottom. Ask not just ‘what’s available?’but ‘what kind of space invites our deepest truth?’ or ‘where will we come most fully alive?” The answer might surprise you. And the results will speak for themselves.

About the Author

Yancy Wright is the facilitator leaders call when they’re ready to stop playing it safe and do the deep work. He’s led over 500 nature-based retreats and spent over a decade guiding high-impact leaders to confront their blind spots, limiting beliefs, and unconscious habits that quietly cap their potential. Yancy challenges high-performing CEOs to look beyond strategy and results to examine how their well-being, energy, and mindset are creating a ripple effect impacting those around them.

Yancy brings a rare mix of business acumen, emotional intelligence, and somatic depth. After burning out as a leader in the green building industry, he founded Casa Alternavida, a wellness retreat center in Puerto Rico, where he now guides leaders and teams through immersive, transformational experiences that reconnect them to their purpose, presence, and authentic leadership. Certified in somatic coaching, conscious communication, resilience, and forest therapy, Yancy helps leaders evolve from the inside out, and amplify the ripple effect they have on their companies, relationships, and lives.