How trees can boost our wellbeing

In today’s fast-paced, technology-filled world, we often forget how much nature affects our mental health. The presence of trees, in particular, can offer calming comfort and support our emotional well-being. Drawing from personal experiences and scientific research, this post will illustrate how trees can help us recharge and connect to our true selves.

The Science Behind Trees and Mental Health

Numerous studies highlight the positive effects of trees on mental well-being. One influential study from the University of Michigan reported that people who spent time in nature experienced a 20% reduction in stress levels. Participants engaged in a "Nature Experience," for 10 minutes or more, 3 times a week. Those who participated reported lower cortisol levels and a notable improvement in mood.

Another far larger meta study (one that collates the findings of numerous other studies together) found thousands from thousands of participants across the world reported improvements to moods, anxiety, stress and other health benefits. It proposed how greener and bluer spaces could improve the lives of young people aged 14-24.

My father was a landscape gardener and I remember very clearly when I was young, him showing me how a tree behaved when it was stressed and how you could tell how it felt by how it grew and reacted to injuries and disease. Looking back, it was extremely profound and maybe because I grew up with that attitude towards trees is why I've always felt a close bond with them.

The Sounds of Trees: A Symphony of Nature

The soothing sounds produced by trees often go unnoticed. The rustling leaves, gentle creaking branches, and whispers of wind create a natural symphony that promotes relaxation. Research shows these sounds have significant calming effects. A study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that people listening to natural sounds experienced up to a 25% reduction in anxiety compared to those exposed to urban noise.

In my mindfulness practice, I take moments to close my eyes and focus on the sounds around me. This simple act helps me stay grounded and appreciate the natural environment and its calming influence. There is a pretty unassuming nature reserve near where I live sandwiched between two highly urbanised areas and I often walk through it most days with my dog. There is an oak tree that sits across the path and I like to check in on her; just resting my hand against her bark for a few moments. It feels a bit nuts at first, but I like to think that you get our of life what you put in, so if I were old and looking lonely, I'd want someone to just stop and say a few nice words for a short while. That simple routine has undoubtedly increased my perception of connection to that part of the town where I live, and especially to that tree.

Juno and I taking one of our favourite daily walking route. The path had been recently trimmed back and there was so much for her to sniff this day, it was good to slow down a little.

I have to go further afield to get some time where I can truly stop and connect with a space, but when I do, it can be an incredibly deep and meaningful experience. In August, I went to a part of Scotland that I probably know as well as where I live down south. I sat under this lonely pine tree at the top of a clifftop overlooking a vast forest in front of the Cairngorms and I imagined sending my breath out to the tree as though I could nurture it like the fungi and the other trees nearby. What happened next blew my mind. The sun parted the clouds and a series of birds (I think they were coal tits) just flew over to a branch or two above my head and sat there with me as I mindfully observed my breath among the sounds of the forest. It was one of the most profound experiences of my life and I was only there for about 15 minutes, but I think about that experience often and I frequently recall everything I heard, saw and felt there to reset even though I'm several hundred miles away.

This is another one of my favourite trees in the Cairngorms. I used to play under it as a child and still go back there as an adult.

Forest Bathing: A Mindful Approach to Nature

Forest bathing, or "Shinrin-yoku," is a Japanese concept that encourages full immersion in nature. This practice promotes mental and emotional health by engaging our senses.

Incorporating forest bathing into my routine has been life-changing. Slowing down, taking deep breaths, and truly connecting with nature enriches my experience. Each moment among the trees, watching the sunlight from behind the leaves, noticing the sounds of the wind fluttering them and feeling that connection with that space, allows me to consciously detach myself from my concerns and focus on something far larger, longer-lived and more meaningful than just what is going on for one person that day. And I think it's that practice which doesn't immunise me from stress, but it allows me to kick it out so I can notice what it's like to be me again.

Sitting low and looking up at canopy helps us to feel grounded and notice how much is going on above our heads. This particular picture makes me think of being at the tope of the tree, looking down at the roots, if I could see them below ground.

Deepening Our Connection with Trees

To further connect with trees and nature, here are some simple yet effective practices:

1. Mindful Walking: Take intentional walks among trees. Focus on the sights and sounds, such as the sunlight filtering through the foliage and the gentle rustle of leaves.

   
   

2. Listening to Nature: Find a peaceful spot under a tree and close your eyes. Concentrate on the myriad forest sounds. Allow these natural noises to envelop you, fostering a sense of relaxation.

3. Get closer to trees. Enter their world by noticing the directions of their branches above our heads and the roots below our feet. Notice their environment and the directions they've chosen to grown in.

   
   

By practicing these activities, we can enhance our mental health while also nurturing a deeper bond with the trees around us.

Peer into trees to see different perspectives.

Final Thoughts

The healing power of trees is evident. Scientific evidence and personal experiences show that spending time with nature offers significant boosts to our mental health. From the soothing sounds of trees to mindful practices like forest bathing, we can connect with ourselves and the world in profound ways.

As we face modern life's daily challenges, we should remember the simple yet profound benefits of trees. Through nature therapy, we can find calm, reduce stress, and connect with our inner selves. So, next time you feel overwhelmed, step outside and immerse yourself in the beautiful embrace of trees. Your mind and spirit will surely be grateful.