Trees are Amazing! Here’s why

I love spending time amongst tall trees and dense rainforests.  I get a real sense of connection to self, and the world around me.  I become awed by their individual uniqueness, their stories, and their humbling presence. It brings me into the present moment, the ‘here and now’.

For many people, just going for a walk in the forest is a relaxing experience and allows them to quieten their mind and decompress the stressors of ordinary life. 

Whether you are a tree lover like myself, or perhaps you don’t like trees, or have not paid that much attention to the impact that trees have on you, there is growing research clearly showing that just being in the presence of a canopy of trees has positive benefits on a person’s health and wellbeing. 

Benefits of Trees on Human Health and Wellbeing

People living in urban neighbourhoods with a higher amount of tree canopy (around 30% or more) have been shown to have better mental and general health than those neighbourhoods with a lower amount of tree canopy.  This particular study also compared those neighbourhoods with open grassed areas as their green space.  The same mental and health benefits were not found, suggesting that the type of green space is important, and that it is the presence of a canopy of trees that deliver human benefits.

Trees have profound impacts on our bodies.  Research has shown that hospital patients with views of trees have been shown to recover faster, take less pain medication, and have less complications than those with views of building structures.  Just merely spending some time around trees has been associated with reduced blood pressure and providing a boost to the immune system.

Concentration and performance have also been shown to improve in the presence of trees.  For instance, one study found that students test scores and graduation rates where higher when exposed to trees.  Whilst another study found that trees assisted employees by boosting morale, increased efficiency, decreased stress, and increased job satisfaction in the workplace.  There is something about trees that helps with concentration and avoiding mental fatigue. 

Forest bathing has been found to significantly decease scores for anxiety, depression, anger, confusion, stress, and fatigue.  It has also been found to decrease rates of criminal activity. Even just looking at pictures of trees can produce stress-reduction related effects.  These positive effects have not been found when participating in similar activities surrounded in urban, unplanted areas.

In children, attention fatigue causes an inability to pay attention and control impulses.  The right prefrontal cortex of the brain is affected by attention fatigue, and is also involved in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  It has been found that children who spend time in natural outdoor environments have a reduction in attention fatigue.  Further, children diagnosed with ADHD have been found to show a reduction in related symptoms.  These findings have led researchers to investigate the use of natural outdoor environments to supplement current approaches in the management of ADHD.

How do Trees Provide Health and Wellbeing Benefits

So, what is it about trees that allows us to feel calmer, more centred, and provides health and mental health benefits? 

Could it be that the green leafy tree provides sensory relief away from hard surfaces, right angles, glass and concrete, and intrusive attention seeking advertising found in more urban areas? Perhaps, the vibrant colours, natural shapes and textures, and the rustling of leaves in the breeze provides a distraction and relief.  Or is it the fresh air, the quietness, the calmness away from pollutions, urban noises and overcrowding of cities?

Well, actually there are a variety of ways in which trees help support and benefit us.

Trees give off an airborne chemical called phytoncides.  Phytoncides have antibacterial and antifungal qualities which help plants fight disease.  Whilst in forests, we are breathing in these phytoncides, and our skin has the ability to absorb these aerosol molecules into our bloodstream. Our bodies respond by increasing the number and activity of a type of white blood cell known as ‘natural killer’ cells or ‘NK’. These cells kill tumours and virus infected cells in our bodies.  A particular study has shown that the presence of NK can still be found in the body more than 30 days following a 3-day, 2-night forest bathing trip.  Currently there are researchers exploring whether exposure to forests can help prevent certain kinds of cancer.

Exercising in forests or just simply sitting looking at trees can also produce other changes at a physiological level.  These activities can reduce blood pressure, and reduce the release of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. 

At a cognitive level, trees can provide a break from rumination and mentally draining activities.  Bringing our awareness to the present moment and noticing the trees, the birds, the noises and other aspects of nature gives the cognitive portion of our brain a break, allowing us to focus better, slow down our thinking, regulate our nervous system, change our neural pathways, and provide clarity of thought.

So, what are you waiting for? Get outside, go for a bushwalk, soak in the fresh air, or go hug a tree.  Your health and wellbeing will be well rewarded.

Author: Suzanne Underwood

Yellow tailed black cockatoo at Nature’s Therapy Room®