Why Do We Love Forests ... ???

We love forests for many reasons. They provide healthy habitats for all our native species to survive and thrive. We know we also need healthy habitats for humans to survive and thrive. Most of us are aware that an afternoon walk in the woods is many times better for us than an afternoon spent in front of a screen.

Researchers have found that a mere 20-minute walk among trees can substantially lower our salivary cortisol levels. Cortisol is the primary stress hormone. Including the immune boost from lower cortisol, a walk in nature actually improves our brain function. Researchers have related this to our evolutionary development as well as to our vision. When we walk among trees, our peripheral vision improves as well as our depth perception.

So many of us are spending too many hours with our eyes focused straight ahead on a screen. This does not provide exercise for our eye muscles or improve our ability to shift our focus rapidly. We need visual flexibility and good peripheral vision to walk and drive safely. The more responsive our eyes are, the faster we can respond to anything in our pathway or to a person or vehicle approaching from the side. This makes a definite difference for our safety!

Currently, there are more than 43,000 studies that have been done around the world, establishing the tremendous benefits of “walking in the woods”! Many of these studies come from Japan and South Korea. In Japan, an afternoon walk through the woods is known as “Shinrin-Yoku”, or forest bathing. In Japan, Shinrin-Yoku is part of the public health system! Even office workers will use their lunch break to take a walk in the woods if possible.

One reason walking through a forest for at least 20 to 30 minutes can be so beneficial is that we are breathing in “phytoncides”. These are oils released by trees. There are thousands of these oils and they contain natural antimicrobial and insecticidal properties. The trees use these phytoncides to protect themselves from harmful bugs, bacteria, and diseases.

A study was done in Japan in 2005 with volunteers who spent 3 days in the forest. The study showed that exposure to these oils produced “natural killer cells”. Killer cells are a type of white blood cells that destroy infected or diseased cells. These “killer cells” also fight viruses and tumors in our bodies. They are essential to the function of our immune system! And, these cells remained active in the volunteers’ system for more than 30 days. Just imagine what spending a week in the woods could do for your immune system and general health!

A study done in 2011 by the University of Michigan, showed that being in the woods for at least 10 minutes, 3 times a week reduced stress levels and improved the volunteers' sense of well-being. Stress levels are easily determined by testing saliva for cortisol. This study showed a definite drop in levels of cortisol in participants' saliva during and following 8 weeks of this study. Other studies have shown similar results.

Another benefit of “walking in the woods” is breathing in fresh oxygen. Forests and even clusters of trees within city parks are producing very pure O2. We know from our own experience that human beings benefit from fresh air. Other studies have shown that exposure to “fresh air” improves our sense of well-being. As we relax and begin to breathe more slowly, our heart rate slows down, we absorb more oxygen, and we relax even more.

Other studies have shown that hiking and regular walks through the woods can generate “alpha brain waves”. When we shift from beta to alpha brain waves, we are moving from “a busy brain” to a more calm and coherent brain function. In addition, studies of neighborhoods in the United States have determined that those with more trees usually have a lower crime rate!

If you have an opportunity this week to take a walk in the woods, or hike in a state or national forest, you might be surprised to find that you are more relaxed. You may discover that you are sleeping better at night and thinking better during the day. Wouldn’t that be Delightful !!!

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