Why We All Should Hug a Tree

 

Trees (water color; June 2018)

 

This month I´m joining the JUNE 2018 ART CHALLENGE: Outdoor Fun! created by my wonderful friend Charlie, creator of Doodlewash® and founder of World Watercolor Month™ (July) and World Watercolor Group™.

Once again it is open to anyone who wants to participate with watercolor painting and/or simply pencil or pen & ink sketches.

If you’re participating in the June Art Challenge, use the hashtag #doodlewashJune2018 when you post on all your social networks, and if you also use watercolor add the #WorldWatercolorGroup hashtag as well.

 

Today´s prompt is “Trees”: And what else can I say then that I absolutely love trees!

Trees are beautiful, they help the planet and us by producing oxygen and combating climate change.

Trees provide lovely shade in the summer and thus shield us from ultra-violet rays.

Last but not least trees provide food and prevent soil erosion.

 

So why not just hug a tree and show them our gratitude? I certainly do this a lot and not in the metaphorical “conservation warrior” sense but literally! It´s been even scientifically validated that hugging trees or just being around them is good for you because it reduces stress levels. This is especially true in cities.

For instance, in Japan people practise ‘forest bathing’, where they spend quiet time absorbing the wisdom of ancient forests, taking long walks among the trees to stimulate their immune system. In Taoism, students are encouraged to meditate among trees, and it is believed that the trees will absorb negative energies, replacing them with healthy ones. Trees are seen as a source of emotional and physical healing, and themselves as meditators, absorbing universal energies.

 

Do you love trees? And have you ever hugged one – or plan to do so after you´ve read this post? 😉 I hope the answer to all three questions is yes, yes, yes! 🙂