“It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men’s hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.” -Robert Louis Stevenson
Colleen enjoying a tree hug in Mexico. April, 2017.
We love tree-hugging, especially now as a tree hug is a hug possible for everyone even during the difficult COVID-19 social isolation.
Did you know that tree-hugging can provide mind-body benefits such as helping us feel more grounded and calm in times of stress?
Hugging a tree can increase levels of oxytocin in the body just like hugging a person. Oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone combats cortisol, the “stress hormone,” leading to increased calmness and a sense of tranquility.
The Icelandic Forestry Service recently started encouraging people to hug trees while social distancing. In the Iceland Review, forest ranger Þór Þorfinnsson shared “When you hug [a tree], you feel it first in your toes and then up your legs and into your chest and then up into your head. It’s such a wonderful feeling of relaxation and then you’re ready for a new day and new challenges. In a time when close contact and embracing is discouraged for risk of COVID-19 infection, trees can offer a sense of comfort.”
Tree hugging is good for all ages; Anne’s been hugging trees since age 4!
Anne tree hugging with her little brother in Michigan at age 4.
Matthew Silverstone concluded in his book Blinded by Science that evidence exists showing the vibrational properties of trees provide numerous health benefits. He also found that children function better cognitively and emotionally when they interact with trees and other plants with benefits for mental illnesses such as ADHD and depression.
Forest bathing among trees, known as Shinrin-yoku in Japanese, has been studied by the Japanese to reduce stress and even lower the risk of psychosocial stress-related diseases (PMID: 17055544). Forest bathing has also been shown to fight other diseases including cancer by increasing the number of human natural killer cells and the expression of anti-cancer proteins (PMID: 18394317). Trees emit wood oils into the air called phytoncides that trigger this health-boosting response in humans.
Even if you can’t be out in nature with trees, just viewing nature such as trees out a window has even been shown to provide a calming effect on the body! A 2015 study from the Netherlands found that five minutes of nature viewing, even photographs, “ can support recovery from stress as shown in enhanced parasympathetic activity” (PMID: 26694426).
So, if you can get outside try hugging a tree today! We hope it brings a smile to your face, and more peace to your day. It may even make you or others laugh, and laughing is good for your health too.
If you can’t get outside, why not try viewing some beautiful natural landscapes you’d like to visit for at least 5 minutes.
We hope these ideas will help you to combat stress during these difficult times.
Let us know if you try tree-hugging, and feel a benefit!