If a global pandemic has taught us anything, it's that we need to connect with nature. Today's world has changed, and in a lot of ways, this is for the better. We have been forced to slow down and to take the time to connect with the great outdoors again.
Can trees make us feel better? Yes!
Spending time outdoors, particularly in forests, encourages us human beings to retreat into nature and spend some quality time in the environment that we naturally came from. When you think about it, humans have lived in nature for 5 million years – we’ve only been surrounded by an urban environment for the last several hundred.
So how do trees benefit our health? Of course the fresh air and tranquil stillness contribute to your sense of well-being, but actually, trees emit oils into the air to help protect them from germs and insects. These oils, called phytoncides, help our immune systems, reduce depression, improve sleep quality, increase your memory and boost our energy.
This is why we believe that the simply act of spending time among trees will improve our health and well-being.
Try it for yourself and your family or class. Take some time for quiet contemplation among the trees. It’s a practice that is proven to reduce blood pressure, helps with anxieties, and generally leaves us with a sense of well-being and peace.