New research, published in the journal Environmental Behaviour supports what almost* everybody already knew. Being around trees reduces stress.
The idea that trees can lower stress levels has been anecdotally acknowledged for longer than any of us has been alive. Odds are that you have felt it too.
I grew up surrounded by forest and seem to spend my time away from forests yearning to get back. Often, I’ve wondered what the attraction is. Is it physical or emotional or a combo, is there something in the air or is it something else all together.
Whatever the reason, it seems that a little green can go a long way. An exciting revelation from the study is that even walking down a tree lined street in an urban setting can do the trick.
The study found a “dose responsive curve.” This means the more trees the merrier you are likely to be. But even a few trees were found to have significant stress reducing potential.
On top of that, it turns out that we may not even need to get outside to get the benefit of being around trees. Surprisingly, the study was done with only pictures of trees. Definitely good news for those of us living in the concrete jungles of the world.
While I doubt that we will ever fully understand fully but quite a bit of scientific research has been done in Korea and Japan regarding the health benefits of spending time in forests.
In the 1980s, the Japanese government started a program to promote spending more time in forests for the purpose of preventative and regenerative medicine. The practice is called Shinrin Yoku, translated, most commonly as, Forest Bathing.
According to Shinrin-Yoku.org the following are scientifically proven benefits of Forest Bathing.
In addition to the science, the organization claims some more esoteric benefits.
Seems worth a walk in the woods to me.
*For the record, I have one friend who claims to be unnerved by too many trees. When my wife an I were living in a tree filled neighborhood that bordered the Santa Monica mountains, this friend claimed that because she was from the city being among so many trees caused her anxiety. Just a case of one size doesn’t always fit all.
The idea that trees can lower stress levels has been anecdotally acknowledged for longer than any of us has been alive. Odds are that you have felt it too.
I grew up surrounded by forest and seem to spend my time away from forests yearning to get back. Often, I’ve wondered what the attraction is. Is it physical or emotional or a combo, is there something in the air or is it something else all together.
Whatever the reason, it seems that a little green can go a long way. An exciting revelation from the study is that even walking down a tree lined street in an urban setting can do the trick.
The study found a “dose responsive curve.” This means the more trees the merrier you are likely to be. But even a few trees were found to have significant stress reducing potential.
On top of that, it turns out that we may not even need to get outside to get the benefit of being around trees. Surprisingly, the study was done with only pictures of trees. Definitely good news for those of us living in the concrete jungles of the world.
While I doubt that we will ever fully understand fully but quite a bit of scientific research has been done in Korea and Japan regarding the health benefits of spending time in forests.
In the 1980s, the Japanese government started a program to promote spending more time in forests for the purpose of preventative and regenerative medicine. The practice is called Shinrin Yoku, translated, most commonly as, Forest Bathing.
According to Shinrin-Yoku.org the following are scientifically proven benefits of Forest Bathing.
- Boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body's Natural Killer (NK) cells.
- Reduced blood pressure
- Reduced stress
- Improved mood
- Increased ability to focus, even in children with ADHD
- Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness
- Increased energy level
- Improved sleep
In addition to the science, the organization claims some more esoteric benefits.
- Deeper and clearer intuition
- Increased flow of energy
- Increased capacity to communicate with the land and its species
- Increased flow of eros/life force
- Deepening of friendships
- Overall increase in sense of happiness
Seems worth a walk in the woods to me.
*For the record, I have one friend who claims to be unnerved by too many trees. When my wife an I were living in a tree filled neighborhood that bordered the Santa Monica mountains, this friend claimed that because she was from the city being among so many trees caused her anxiety. Just a case of one size doesn’t always fit all.
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