In this day and age of social distancing, the vast majority of us, either consciously or unconsciously, are suffering from a lack of physical contact with our fellow human beings. There is something healing that happens when two people connect with each other through a hug — and it turns out that a similar feeling can be obtained when we hug a tree.
Now, I know that some of you are probably thinking that I have finally lost it when it comes to our relationship with our plants, but there is evidence that supports the benefits of bonding with trees, and more generally, with nature.
I have written before about the practice of “forest bathing,” also known as the Japanese art and science of shinrin-yoku. If you would like to learn more, I recommend reading “Forest Bathing” by Qing Li. The book could help open your mind to the benefits of this practice.
Forest bathing can be as simple as as walking in a natural environment and using your senses to connect with what’s around you. That nature has a calming effect on us cannot be denied. You don’t have to understand it to feel it.
This idea that immersion in nature is good for you brings me to the subject of tree hugging. To be clear, I am not writing about becoming a “tree hugger” — a sometimes derogatory term that refers to an environmentalist.
I am referring to the physical act of hugging of a tree — as you would do with family or friends — and the positive vibes we can receive from that action. Icelandic forest ranger Þór Þorfinnsson recommends hugging a tree for all its benefits.
“When you hug (a tree), you feel it first in your toes and then up your legs and into your chest and then up into your head,” said Þorfinnsson, who works at Hallormsstaður National Forest in East Iceland, in an interview with RÚV, translated by Icelandic Review.“It’s such a wonderful feeling of relaxation, and then you’re ready for a new day and new challenges.”
“If you can give yourself five minutes of your day to hug (a tree), that’s definitely enough,” he added. “You can also do it many times a day — that wouldn’t hurt. But once a day will definitely do the trick, even for just a few days.”
What kind of tree should we select? Þorfinnsson said any tree will do. “It doesn’t have to be big and stout, it can be any size. If you don’t have access to a forest, any tree will do. Chances are that there are trees down the block that haven’t been hugged in a while.”
Once you find that perfect tree, hold on tight and don’t let go. “It’s also really nice to close your eyes while you’re hugging a tree,” Þorfinnsson said. “I lean my cheek up against the trunk and feel the warmth and the currents flowing from the tree and into me. You can really feel it.”
While I realize that some of you will dismiss this fellow, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. I have never doubted that there is a spiritual connection to all living things that we encounter in life — and there is no reason to exclude the plant kingdom from that list. In this time of social distancing, what have you got to lose? Stay safe and keep on gardening!
Steve Smith is the owner of Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville and can be reached at sunnysidenursery@msn.com.
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