Reasons why you need Tree Hugging in your life!
“Tree Hugging” might sound like hippy nonsense or taking ‘care of the environment’ a bit far – but did you know there are genuine health benefits to be had?
In this post, I explore what they are and why letting go of your apprehensions and embracing a tree can be truly beneficial.
5 Benefits of Tree Hugging
I want to be clear on something from the outset. The evidence I’m presenting here is based on my experience of spending three hours immersed in a Nature Connection experience (or Forest Bathing/Forest Therapy as it is also known), with Tree Hugging as a small part of it and not just giving a tree a quick stroke and wandering on staring at your phone!
To understand what Nature Connection and Forest Bathing are, take a look at the What is Forest Bathing blog.
However, spending time amongst trees and close to them (including hugging) is certainly beneficial…let me tell you why:
Reason 1: Trees are oxygen-rich
We all know that trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. So, when you are close to a tree and surrounded by them in a forest you are naturally in a more oxygen-rich environment. You are also more likely to be breathing in fewer pollutants, especially if the forest or woods are away from a main road.
Reason 2: Trees are a stress buster
I challenge you to experience some restorative relaxation in a guided Forest Bathing session, and then hug a tree, and still feel stressed! I’m not sure it’s possible. And if you can’t get to me for an event, use this guide containing the secrets to solo Forest Bathing instead.
The gentle movement of hugging and the inhalation of pure forest air takes you out of the ‘fight or flight’ response system, also called the sympathetic nervous system. This system is responsible for the production of cortisol and whilst it’s helpful in times of real danger, too much of it, especially when caused by stress, is bad for you.
Instead, when you are relaxed, it activates your ‘rest and digest’ parasympathetic nervous system, which helps you to recharge and increases the production of serotonin – your happy hormone.
We can measure cortisol easily by taking mouth swabs. At the research bases in Japan, they’ve found that the lowered levels after Forest Bathing can continue for days following an experience. This is significant because excess stress is the root cause of many common ailments such as headaches, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes and asthma.
Reason 3: Trees emit immunity-boosting antimicrobial essential oils
OK, not the tree-hugging directly, but did you know that trees and plants emit antimicrobial essential oils called ‘phytoncides’?
Trees and plants produce phytoncides to protect themselves from attack – they make up part of their defence system. However, they also help us too. They are proven to cause an increase in the count of, and activity in, the cells in our bodies that seek out and defeat cancer, as well as bacterial infections. We call these cells natural killer (NK) cells.
The increase in NK activity has been shown in various studies to last for weeks after a Forest Therapy session and these same essential oils deliver a host of other benefits, including lowered heart rate and blood pressure.
So get close to a tree and inhale its scent – especially oaks and conifers! Tip – scrunch the leaves up first.
Reason 4: Spending time with nature reduces anxiety
Whether it’s hugging trees, sitting by a tree or going through one of my nature connection invitations, the more you notice nature the more anxiety levels drop.
I carried out a recognised mood test (POMS – Profile of Mood States) with the volunteers in my trial Forest Bathing sessions all those years ago. The single most notable change in mood was an anxiety reduction. And given that it’s also the most prevalent condition in my customers, I was pretty excited to see this.
As a highly sensitive and anxious person myself, it’s been an effective preventative medicine for me. Although I still get anxious (there is no magic bullet, I’m afraid!), the more I immerse myself in nature, the less ‘loud’ my anxiety is when it comes. And the more confident I am that I have the tools to manage it. I notice my thoughts, feelings and behaviours change when I haven’t spent some time ‘just being’ in the woods and close to the trees for a couple of weeks. Even though I focus my time on training others how to become certified Forest Therapy guides, I still run Forest Bathing events because I recognise how valuable the practice is for my mental health and that’s a non-negotiable.
Reason 5: Tree hugging can enhance your focus on what’s important…and give you time back.
We all want to clear our minds and ‘switch off’ from our responsibilities and the ‘to-do’ list, right? And yet we find it hard to prioritise self-care or downtime because the combined demands of work, home and family mean we don’t have enough time.
What if I told you that connecting with nature offers the holy grail – it gives you time back, reduces overwhelm and helps you sleep better?!
Through all my practices, especially tree-hugging, I encourage you to really focus on the activity at hand – nothing else. When was the last time you just ‘hung out’ with a tree, as if it was the only thing that mattered in the world? The brain slows and clears…
Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that being in nature may change how we experience time and, perhaps, even give us a sense of time abundance. Immersed in nature, time stretches and expands. The immediate fades as our focus shifts towards a grander perspective. This shift from the urgent to the important allows us to realign our actions with our long-term vision, escaping the relentless cycle of ‘just about keeping our heads above water
Bonus Reason 6: Trees provide cooling shade
Are Forest Bathing and Tree Hugging the same thing?
Now I’ve given you 6 great reasons to hug a tree, let’s discuss what exactly Forest Bathing (also known as Shinrin-Yoku and Forest Therapy) is in comparison. As mentioned at the start, tree-hugging is just one optional element of Forest Bathing. Forest Bathing offers several different ways to connect with nature, from basic sensory activities such as touching leaves, smelling the soil or listening to the wind rustling in the canopy, to something more spiritual and therapeutic.
There is always an opportunity to hug a tree, or even just to smooth the bark with your hand – and it’s a powerful part of the session for many. If you’re not in a woodland or forest with trees you can still enjoy a wide variety of Nature Connection practices; simple, gentle, slow activities and exercises that focus on developing and deepening your relationship with the natural world.
I cannot overstate the importance of human connection to the natural world, as the benefits are so vast. Read more about the benefits of Nature Connection and Forest Bathing here.
Have I convinced you to give Tree Hugging a try?
Before you answer that question, ask yourself this: Don’t you find it strange that hugging trees is ridiculed, yet it’s acceptable to stay indoors all day connected to a screen?
I think perhaps we’ve lost our way!
Are you keen to rekindle your connection to nature and give tree hugging a try yourself? Come and experience guided, group Forest Therapy with me! I run Forest Bathing sessions in locations across Hampshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire. Or perhaps you’re ready to learn more about the in-person and online Forest Bathing Guide training programme?
If you’d like to get to know me a bit more and receive the latest science, news and special offers in your inbox, then you’ll want to stay in touch via the acclaimed Nature Nerd News.
Best wishes,
Sonya 🌳
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