Health benefits

What are some of the benefits of woodlands for wellness?

Trees and green spaces offer multiple health benefits from allergy reductions to increases in self-esteem and mental wellbeing with access to nature is vital for good mental and physical health, at all ages.² Living in areas with more green space correlates with lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. And living in areas with green spaces significantly reduces income-related health inequalities and it has also been found that new-borns in areas with abundant green spaces have a higher birth weight and head circumference.²

It has also been found that people living near trees and green spaces are less likely to be obese, inactive or dependent on antidepressants. Doctors prescribe fewer anti-depressants in urban areas with more trees on the street!² Spending time in nature has also been found to improve creativity, we only have to look at John Muir and Nan Shepherd for literary proof. But this phenomenon has also been evidenced scientifically. In a 2012 study Ruth Atchley and her colleagues explore the impact of nature on higher-level tasks, such as creative problem solving. In this particular study participants had four days of immersion in nature, and disconnect from multi-media and technology. The performance of participants on a creative, problem-solving task increased by 50%! This demonstrates a cognitive advantage of spending time immersed in a natural setting!⁸

Trees and chemicals

Trees not only improve our psychological health when we are near them, but they also contribute to keeping our bodies healthy! Combatting air pollution, trees absorb air-borne pollutants. These pollutants are known to exacerbate respiratory and heart conditions or carry carcinogens. Not only absorbing harmful chemicals, but trees also release beneficial ones! Chemicals released by trees and plants, called phytoncides, were found to boost the immune system.³

In studies where participants had been exposed to phytoncides, a significant increase in the immune system was recorded. In particular they recorded an increase in natural killer cells (cells of the innate immune system). Among lots of responses, these cells will kill virally infected cells. And they can also detect and control early signs of cancer. Exposure to phytoncides were also seen to decrease stress! With the concentrations of adrenaline and noradrenaline (stress hormones) in urine decreasing.

More research is needed to fully understand how phytoncides effect human cell responses. But some of these findings indicate that the benefits of woodlands, plants and trees goes much deeper than we may have initially thought!⁹

Forests and Dementia

Research into the link between nature and dementia are still at their early stages but the potential for woodland areas to have a positive impact is huge.⁶ During a 10-week pilot woodland activity programme for people with early stage dementia woodlands were found to promoted mental wellbeing.

The programme was delivered by Forestry Commission Scotland rangers and gave participants many positive outcomes such as a sense of freedom, meaning and identity, social connection, and inclusion.⁷ As well as a space for discussion, so often missed at a crucial and difficult time for people in the early stages of dementia. Being within woodland was central to these beneficial outcomes. Allowing people to relax, connect and reminisce with past life experiences as well as provide a ‘meaningful, purposeful sensory experience’. These experiences not only improved spatial awareness, but also many immeasurable elements of wellbeing such as meaning and identity.

Moreover, forest bathing has been found to counter illnesses including cancer, stroke, gastric ulcers, depression, anxiety and stress as well as improve concentration and memory. It has been found that even exposure to trees, the sky and birdsong in cities improved mental wellbeing, and that the psychological benefits of walking through forests are very significant.⁵ An estimated one in five patients consult their GP for what are primarily social problems, for which traditional medical interventions and treatments do not help. Forest bathing could be used as a preventative medicine, not a treatment, and may become more popular as a non-clinical activity to improve wellbeing.⁵

We can conclude…

Unsurprisingly woodlands and nature provide us with a profound wellbeing. Which perhaps our modern lifestyles, being primarily based indoors, does not fulfil, and some deep equilibrium we have within each of us, remains out of balance. However, taking time to notice and dwell on the small and the large green we have accessible to us, could go some way to balancing this wellbeing within us.

Take a moment to notice and enjoy your local trees, they may be impacting you and your health more than you think!

We at Wild Tree Adventures are always on the lookout for climbable trees, but we are also very aware that they give us something more than just adventure.

Join us soon and take a forest bath up in the canopy itself!