Tree Therapy: Why Nature Is Good For Your Home and Health
It is known that most humans crave a connection with nature, well at least awakened ones. We are all experiencing so much stress on our bodies, taken in from technology and the digital world, work and family life, and generally the world we live in today. It’s no wonder we all crave an escape, somewhere to go to feel connected, nurtured, and supported. But most of all, to just release the burdens of our world. I have always ran to nature when I feel empathically overburden by everything, it’s something I instinctively did as a child. For me it was always swimming in the ocean, and alternatively, I also always knew about other earth elements like hiding in the trees and using them as therapy.
Trees create an entire ecosystem in and of themselves, providing a habitat for animals. They absorb carbon monoxide from the air and release oxygen for our air supply. Trees can also help reduce noise pollution and provide us with shade and shelter. To me, this is the ultimate nurturing, to hike in a huge forrest surrounded by massive tress, or be in the Greek mountains surrounded by acres and acres of olive trees. The feeling is like a having a huge tree hug, enveloped in fresh oxygen, energy support, and vibration. But did you know that tree bathing has been a practice in Japan for decades, it’s called shinrin-yoku.
Photo: Unsplash - Arnaud Messureu
What is shinrin-yoku?
Shinrin-yoku, aka forest bathing, is the Japanese art of practice ‘topiary therapy. This therapy is proven to lower heart rate and blood pressure, reduce stress, and boost the immune system, the idea behind forest bathing is to relax into the natural world. It is usually recommended to do this for at least a couple of hours. When I was living in Seattle, I used to hike the majestic trails of Tiger Mountain in Issaquah. I had my dog kayla with me at the time, and we would just get lost into the trees of these large ‘beings” of nature. I remember coming across a tree that was the oldest in the area, hundreds of years old, and it was just so energetically calming and healing. I miss those days so much and can remember it bringing me so much healing and peace. I had a sense of wonder and fulfillment given back to me, something that I thought I had lost from all the stress of life.
There are many benefits to being in tree nature, some I will share below:
Benefits of Tree Bathing:
Mental reset and release.
Increase brain power.
Boost problem solving.
Increase creativity.
Increase self esteem while boosting endorphins
Helps children with ADD
Lowers Heart rate and blood pressure
Reduce stress hormone
Plants can conduct electricity and increases our energy.
Helps with depression
I also have been doing art drawing projects and yoga outside at the local parks and trails, all surrounded by these trees, who have been healing me and giving me inspiration. I usually thank and honor a tree with offerings of a harp song, poem, prayer, or any intuitive offering with grace. I’ve made this a practice as part of my healing journey to not always take from nature, but always try and give something back.
I was looking up my research on this topic of tree bathing, and came across some sites that provide and actual certification on how to become a tree therapy guide. Forest therapy guides certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy can help direct you on a guided walk or you can also try researching the details and practice on your own. I find it would be very beneficial to have a guide or just venture out on your own like I do. I always have been a lover of nature and saw there was a term for this, it was called Biophelia.
What is Biophilia?
The word biophilia originates from the Greek, 'philia' meaning 'love of', so this would be one who has love for life and living things, This can be desire or tendency to commune with nature, well, sounds just like me. There are also Biophilic design elements in interior design, this can include: skylights, green walls covered with living greenery, and the presence of water, such as fountains or ponds.
Some biophilic architecture elements have been utilized to connect building occupants more closely to nature. Biophilic designed buildings incorporate things like: natural lighting and ventilation, natural landscape features and other elements for creating a more productive and healthy built environment. This is the direction architecture and design is finally heading in, it’s one of the most popular trends of this year and hopefully for many generations to come. So get out into the trees, bring your challenges and stressors, and watch how nature can help shift your state of consciousness.
Happy Tree Bathing!