Tree Hugging

Are you a tree hugger?

Well if not, maybe you should be.  Scientists are now discovering the powerful and positive impacts trees can have on us humans  in managing stress and blood pressure, improving our memory and more besides.

It has long been demonstrated that people who have viewed nature photos after suffering a stressful event or completing a stressful task reported increased feelings of friendliness and happiness.  Indeed, in many medical institutions now, the presence of nature scenes and trees improves recovery and housing estates where there is visible and usable green space report lower levels of domestic violence.

Japanese researchers have identified a whole raft of benefits of 'forest-bathing' or spending time with trees, including:

• Lower rates of the stress hormone cortisol

• Lower blood pressure

• Lower heart rate

• Greater levels of immunity

• Lower levels of blood glucose levels

• Improved energy

• Lower levels of anxiety, anger and depression

And you don't have to spend hours amongst the trees.  A mere 15 minutes is all it takes to cash in on some of these benefits with the positive effects lasting up to a month.

This power seems to come from chemicals that trees secrete to protect themselves - phytoncides and they are particularly prevalent in pine and fir trees.  It is also believed that harmless microbes found in forest soil contribute to feelings of happiness and well being.

Other positive impacts of a walk in the woods (or a roll on the forest floor!) include memory improvement (by up to a whopping 20%) and additional and better quality sleep time.

So, whilst walking is great (it is one of the best ways to lose fat!), walking in the park or on a forest trail is even better and dare I say that hugging an actual tree could be life-changing!