Trees Support Your Mental Health

Exposure to trees is scientifically proven to lower cortisol, the stress hormone. Even simply seeing trees (through a window or in photos) can improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety and mental fatigue.

Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) is a Japanese practice of immersing oneself in a forest using all five senses, which has been shown to reduce cortisol and provide other health benefits.

Conifer trees (such as pine, cedar and spruce) release aromatic compounds that significantly reduce stress and provide other benefits.

In what is believed to be one of the largest studies of its kind, researchers from Imperial College London and UCL have found evidence suggested that children who grow up near trees show better emotional regulation and a lower risk of behavioural disorders later in life. Furthermore, Aarhus University researchers found that children who grow up with greener surroundings are up to 55% less likely to develop various mental disorders later in life, emphasising the need for designing green and healthy cities for the future.

Attention Restoration Theory entertains the notion that trees help to restore attention and concentration by allowing the brain to recover from constant cognitive demands. Even brief exposure, such as a 40-second view of a green roof or looking at trees for 10 minutes, can measurably improve concentration and reduce mistakes on tasks.

Research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that viewing vegetation, rather than just hearing it, decreases brain activity associated with negative emotions, inducing a calmer state of mind.

Natural tree patterns (branching, leaf shapes) follow fractal geometry, which the human brain finds inherently calming. An example of nature's beautiful design!

Being near trees increases activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for rest, recovery, and emotional regulation, encouraging slower breathing and heart rates.

Walking among trees has been shown to increase alpha brain wave activity, linked to relaxed but alert mental states.

In our modern urban lifestyles, we may find it difficult to ground ourselves in the cycle of nature. The seasonal changes in trees help us to maintain a sense of time, rhythm, and continuity, supporting psychological grounding.