Far from it. Apparently if you spend just 15 minutes walking among trees, your whole mood changes. You'll be calmer and you'll feel less tension, anxiety, anger, hostility, depression and fatigue.
It'll also improve your cardio-vascular health and your immune system, and lower your blood pressure.*
Who knew? How come in 76 years on this earth I've never known all that? Why isn't it common knowledge? Why isn't it written about in the media? Why has no doctor ever enlightened me?
As it happens, this immediate neighbourhood is awash with trees so I'm getting the benefits all the time. The local park is full of trees and so is the Stormont estate just up the road.
So that's another good reason why we should be planting as many trees as possible, quite apart from the carbon-absorption aspect. We have five trees in our garden and front yard - a cherry blossom tree, a pittosporum, a eucalyptus and two rowans. So we're doing our bit for everyone's health.
I guess the healthiest place to live would be a log cabin in the middle of a forest. Could be a bit impractical though, when you needed a bit of shopping or some medical attention. I think I'll stay where I am for now.
*Harvard University School of Public Health
Makes sense to me. Humans are a great ape species, and until a few million years ago our ancestors lived in and among trees, as the other great apes still do. It's natural that we have a genetic affinity for them.
ReplyDeleteInfidel: Yes, trees are our natural environment, unlike all the tower blocks and shopping centres.
DeleteSo no witches will reach your home, then....
ReplyDeleteWe are replanting under the guidance of our workman who remembers the species growing here before all was cleared for coffee in the 1970s.
Fly: So you're planting a lot of new trees? Sounds good.
DeleteThere's a term, forest bathing, that is now in style.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: I see it's originally a Japanese concept - shinrin yoku - that means being calm and quiet amid the trees to boost your health and well-being.
DeleteI'm not sure if anyone else has this problem, but on the
ReplyDeleteWordpress reader, your post comes up, but there is no way to comment or to read comments. I got through via my own website's blogroll.
Fly: Not a problem I was aware of, and not one I know the answer to, sorry. I'm glad you still manage to comment.
DeleteI learned about this a few years ago when I started seeing ‘forest bathing’ on the internet. Apparently, the Japanese knew this many years ago.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: This is the first time I've heard the term. It's something the UK seems to have never come across!
DeleteNick.trees have a very special way to communicate with other trees ,underground mushrooms, bacteries and other living elements. Native populations all over the world always knew the importance of woods and trees . Trees are the.lungs of our planet. In Germany there are many wood coaching proposals One thing is sure , walking and breathing in a wood and having a rest under a tree make you feel peaceful and relaxed. I learnt it already in my childhood.And the Japanese have in spite of all the technology a close connection with nature and especially trees.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hannah: As I say, how come it's taken me 76 years to discover the healing properties of trees?? Yes, I was reading that trees are interconnected underground, also plants. Japanese culture has long been more advanced than Western culture, which happily allows trees to be chopped down rather than preserved.
DeleteI hope you managed to do some useful work in Morocco.
Nick thanks for asling, we came back Friday night and are exhausted. Saïd is 80 and I really do not know how he managed to do so much under those hopeless conditions . Natural disasters like earthquakes or now the terrible flood in Libya makes us so desperate. Saïd was ready to leave for Libya but I said no. Our minds will always go ahead , but our energy gets weaker .
DeleteHannah: Amazing that Saïd was able to do so much at the age of 80. Probably wise not to go on to Libya. The devastation in Libya after two dams burst is just awful. There's some doubt about whether the dams had been adequately checked and maintained.
DeleteTrees know things! Those old oaks - think of the things they've witnessed, if only they could talk.
ReplyDeleteMr Blue has planted thousands and thousands of trees - it's part of what he does for a living. And he organises grants for others to also plant trees.
Sx
Ms Scarlet: Does Mr Blue work for the Woodland Trust by any chance? We give regularly to them to compensate for flights.
DeleteNo, he works for FWAG, but has a lot to do with The Woodland Trust, and The Forestry Commission.
DeleteSx
Ms Scarlet: That sounds like a very worthwhile job.
DeleteCoincidentally last night I was watching a segment on trees and what climate change is inflicting on them. Extending autumn when they take in nutrients for winter survival.
ReplyDeleteIt alarmed me greatly. As it should all of us.
I love the comfort of trees, remember how they used to mock us tree huggers? We knew what we were doing way back then.
XO
WWW
www: Indeed, the tree huggers knew a thing or two! But I guess many people are still unaware of how much trees benefit our health.
DeleteMary said "I can see this. I love going up to the mountains when it's cooler and walking around under the big trees we have up there."
ReplyDeleteMary: That sounds great. I didn't realise you were anywhere near mountains!
DeleteI love this post, Nick. Have you heard about the Woodland Trust? They have created huge woods and do so much research into what are (to me) totally unexpected aspects of trees. They also publish a beautiful members magazine and offer advice and free trees too.
ReplyDeleteJenny: I certainly have heard of the Woodland Trust. We donate to them as a carbon-offset every time we take a flight. Scarlet Blue's husband does a lot of work for the Woodland Trust (see her comment above).
DeleteI think being in nature of any sort makes us feel better but we never used to call it well-being. WE just lived and enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteLiz: Very true. I've always enjoyed walking through woods. There's something very soothing about them.
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