WELLBEING - THE SUPRISE BENEFITS OF TREES
Wandering through the dappled light of towering trees, breathing in the earthy air and feeling your busy brain quiet as you take in the peaceful chatter of birds; we don’t need a scientist to tell us that there is something special about spending time in nature. But that’s exactly what they’ve done. And as it turns out, the benefits are far greater than simply stretching your legs and clearing your head.
Between beetroot lattes and goat yoga, we’re no stranger to weird and wonderful wellness practices, however, forest bathing is definitely up there in terms of peculiarity. Originating in Japan during the 1980s, the practice involves neither bathtubs or water but a whole lot of trees and even more health benefits.
President of the Japanese Society of Forest Medicine — yes, that’s a thing — Dr Qing Li dedicated over a decade studying the health benefits of forest bathing. His studies found spending time amongst the trees doesn’t just reduce stress and boost your mood, but also lowers blood pressure, increases focus, energy levels and memory, improves sleep quality and immune system functionality. So, what’s so special about the trees? Well, Dr Li found that many plant species emit a molecular component called “phytoncides”, a substance that protects plants from insects and disease but also provides humans with a tangible immune system boost.
However, as more of us trade real forests for the concrete jungle, spending the majority of our days inside cars or office buildings, getting out in nature becomes even more important. So, how can you make sure you soak up the benefits of nature more every week?
According to the pros at Auckland Botanic Gardens, the easiest way is to simply get out and enjoy the lush parks and gardens already planted throughout the city! Living in arguably the forest-bathing capital of the world, it isn’t hard to find a lush spot of forest or greenery, whether you make a trip to a beautiful regional park for a day-long bath or head to one of Auckland’s hundreds of city parks. Our favourite is the Auckland Botanic Gardens, a secluded sanctuary that houses a forest of flowers, shrubs and trees just a stone’s throw from the city centre. Or, better yet, create your own little garden to enjoy from the comfort of home! Can’t differentiate shears from shovels, or struggle to simply keep a cactus alive?
The good news is, you can create a garden that would do your grandmother proud with a little complimentary guidance from the expert team at Auckland Botanic Gardens. Whether you need advice on the perfect plants for your window-box or backyard, tips on making them thrive in precarious Auckland conditions or have questions about anything and everything botanical, Auckland Botanic Gardens’ gardening gurus have you covered. From free online resources to no-cost workshops or monthly newsletters, you’ll be a plant pundit who knows their camellias from their common lilies in no time.
So, dust off those gardening gloves, get skilled up with the team at Auckland Botanic Gardens and get to work on your own plant sanctuary — your mind and body will thank you for it.
Living in arguably the forest-bathing capital of the world, it isn’t hard to find a lush spot of forest or greenery, whether you make a trip to a beautiful regional park for a day-long bath or head to one of Auckland’s hundreds of city parks.