Hug A Tree, Calm Your Mind
I've always thought there must be something about tree hugging. And that those who looked at me suspiciously when I approached a tree to hug it, just didn't know the science. As it turns out, I was right about the science part. Hugging a tree has health benefits. See, trees have a specific vibration. When touched, this unique vibration affects our well-being in many ways. As Matthew Silverstone points out in his book Blinded by Science, by coming in contact with the trees we pick up these vibrations and are grounded by the trees natural life-giving energy. It also gives us a chance to slow down and get in touch with the natural part of us, and the world around us. According to countless studies cited in the book, children show extreme psychological and physiological effects in term of improved health and well-being when they interact with plants. It was recorded that children function better cognitively and emotionally in green environments and have more creative play in green areas.
Hugging trees is actually a part of a Japanese technique called 'Shinrin-yoku', a term that means "taking in the forest atmosphere" or "forest bathing." It was developed in Japan during the 1980s and has become a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine. Researchers primarily in Japan and South Korea have established a robust body of scientific literature on the health benefits of spending time in the forest. Now their research is helping to establish shinrin-yoku and forest therapy throughout the world. There are numerous scientific studies supporting forest bathing - you can check many of them here.
Another school, Taoism, teaches to meditate with trees, as a way of release “negative energies.” One of their masters, Master Chia teaches how to align one’s body with the energetic field of a tree. He explains that trees are natural processors that can help you transform your body’s sick or negative energy into positive, vital life force energy. As you connect your energy with the tree you facilitate your own physical and emotional healing. The Taoist theory is that because trees stand very still, they are better at absorbing the Earth’s Energy and the Universal Force from the Heavens. Trees and all plants have the ability to absorb the light frequencies and transform them into physical food; and they do the same with energetic food. The Taoist view of trees is to see them constantly in meditation, with subtle energy as their natural language.
So how to become a tree-hugger and a forest-bather?
1. Find a tree (obviously) close to your home or where you go frequently.
2. Hug the tree.
3. Imagine the tree receiving your worries and you receiving the strenght and stability.
4. Spend time in nature frequently.