Being with Trees

Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved trees. I’m sure many of you reading this have memories of favorite trees from your childhood. Though I grew up in a city, we had a beloved tree we used to climb in the front yard, and another tree we loved to run circles around at school. Though I don’t remember thinking about it much at the time, so many of my childhood memories are tied to these trees. Sadly, we were told we couldn’t keep climbing the tree in the front yard due to several electrical wires running through it, and they eventually cut the tree in the playground down. Thankfully, as an adult I live in a neighborhood with many trees still standing. 

Trees are powerful beings. Not only do they help us breathe by exchanging carbon for oxygen, they provide shade and shelter for many creatures. We can also connect to trees for grounding and healing. Sitting under a tree or with your back to a tree can provide regeneration and deep peace. There’s a practice in Japan you may have heard of called forest bathing. The benefits of forest bathing include increased immunity, reduced stress, and improved mood, among many others. 

I don’t really understand how it works, but I know from my own life that trees are powerful healers. I always feel better when I’m around trees. Do you have a tree you can sit with, in your yard or in a public park nearby? Spend some time with your tree and see how you feel afterwards. It’s powerful medicine.