Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

hermetic

(8,310 posts)
Sat Jun 10, 2023, 11:02 AM Jun 2023

Trees are good for your mental health



Research shows that access to trees reduces rates of depression, lowers levels of the brain’s main stress hormone, cortisol, and improves cognitive function. This is especially true in cities and urban areas, where residents are significantly more likely to battle depression and anxiety. By breaking up concrete jungles with urban forests, we can help make people happier and healthier.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness. It’s a troubling trend that affects people of all backgrounds.

Despite the overwhelming amount of research available, there’s seemingly little awareness among U.S. adults about how trees can positively affect our day-to-day well-being. According to a Harris Poll survey commissioned by the Arbor Day Foundation, only 41% of American adults valued a tree’s ability to boost mental health. I believe this is because, too often, green space is seen as a luxury.

https://www.treehugger.com/trees-must-have-when-addressing-mental-health-7503294

I feel fortunate that I have 4 big trees in my yard, and 2 baby ones. There is nowhere nearby to walk in nature. The town has a park but it is always full of people.
26 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Trees are good for your mental health (Original Post) hermetic Jun 2023 OP
When I was a kid my mom told me she liked our birch tree better than our dog at that mucifer Jun 2023 #1
Yeah, hermetic Jun 2023 #3
We just moved snowybirdie Jun 2023 #2
Lovely hermetic Jun 2023 #4
I hold dear markie Jun 2023 #5
Very nice. hermetic Jun 2023 #6
I am so fortunate markie Jun 2023 #7
Beautiful hermetic Jun 2023 #9
I have many Rebl2 Jun 2023 #8
Yes indeed hermetic Jun 2023 #11
Trees at ones back, maybe a creek at the foot, with luck a view...can't be beat. yonder Jun 2023 #10
Enjoy! hermetic Jun 2023 #12
I have 14! GreenWave Jun 2023 #13
Nuttin' wrong with that hermetic Jun 2023 #14
I have two chokeberries GreenWave Jun 2023 #15
Nice! hermetic Jun 2023 #17
I live on several acres of mixed forest RainCaster Jun 2023 #16
That's great hermetic Jun 2023 #18
I love to sit out on my back deck and listen/watch the wind rustle through the trees. patphil Jun 2023 #19
Sweet hermetic Jun 2023 #20
I am so thankful for all the trees murielm99 Jun 2023 #21
There's something special hermetic Jun 2023 #23
At least half of our 12 acres is wooded Bayard Jun 2023 #22
Nice hermetic Jun 2023 #24
I know... Bayard Jun 2023 #25
Sounds just idyllic. Duppers Jun 2023 #26

mucifer

(23,560 posts)
1. When I was a kid my mom told me she liked our birch tree better than our dog at that
Sat Jun 10, 2023, 11:05 AM
Jun 2023

time I didn't get it. Now I do.

I love trees and they do make me feel a little better when I'm struggling.

snowybirdie

(5,233 posts)
2. We just moved
Sat Jun 10, 2023, 11:07 AM
Jun 2023

from a second floor condo to one on the first. Its surrounded by large flowering trees and greenery. We find it so peaceful and calming to sit on the porch and enjoy. You are so right!

markie

(22,757 posts)
5. I hold dear
Sat Jun 10, 2023, 11:13 AM
Jun 2023

this poem...


WHEN I AM AMONG THE TREES -by Mary Oliver

When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”

markie

(22,757 posts)
7. I am so fortunate
Sat Jun 10, 2023, 11:22 AM
Jun 2023

to have 4 acres of wild trees and nearby forests and woods to hike and explore... I truly wish the same for everyone...
I invite people to come stay on my tent platform and then they learn about the bears....




Rebl2

(13,544 posts)
8. I have many
Sat Jun 10, 2023, 11:22 AM
Jun 2023

trees in my backyard, including a few flowering trees. In the summer I love to go out on the back deck before it gets too hot. Enjoy the trees and the birds and other little creatures. It really helps calm my mind.

yonder

(9,670 posts)
10. Trees at ones back, maybe a creek at the foot, with luck a view...can't be beat.
Sat Jun 10, 2023, 11:26 AM
Jun 2023

I hope to be up at my favorite hidey hole in the trees today.

hermetic

(8,310 posts)
14. Nuttin' wrong with that
Sat Jun 10, 2023, 11:36 AM
Jun 2023

I used to have a black walnut but it blew down in a storm. Replaced it with a chokecherry which has deep red leaves.

GreenWave

(6,765 posts)
15. I have two chokeberries
Sat Jun 10, 2023, 11:40 AM
Jun 2023

Nut trees are two pecans and two filberts. (decided it was cheaper to plant the tree and harvest them than pay way too much at the store)
Pecans plus zinc sulfate (for healthier nuts) produce about 3 five gallons of pecans w/o husks. They last for a year! Filberts are still babies.

RainCaster

(10,912 posts)
16. I live on several acres of mixed forest
Sat Jun 10, 2023, 11:46 AM
Jun 2023

They have kept my sanity through some really tough moments. Deer, bear, raptors and songbirds have all contributed to the cause of my stability.

patphil

(6,204 posts)
19. I love to sit out on my back deck and listen/watch the wind rustle through the trees.
Sat Jun 10, 2023, 12:12 PM
Jun 2023

This morning I heard a lot of birds making a ruckus, and then a big hawk swooped out of the woods and landed on a branch in a nearby tree. The birds followed the hawk, including a robin that was pretty agitated.
Anyway, a little bird dive bombed the hawk, so it decided it was time to leave.
Always a bit of action; plenty to hear and see out there.
It's very calming and therapeutic.

murielm99

(30,755 posts)
21. I am so thankful for all the trees
Sat Jun 10, 2023, 01:32 PM
Jun 2023

on our property!

We planted many of them ourselves, over the 45 years we have lived here. They have grown, and we have a beautiful canopy, front and back. This is the best time of year to enjoy our trees.

hermetic

(8,310 posts)
23. There's something special
Sat Jun 10, 2023, 02:02 PM
Jun 2023

about watching trees grow. Turns out that's also the title of a famous mystery. Who knew?

Bayard

(22,128 posts)
22. At least half of our 12 acres is wooded
Sat Jun 10, 2023, 02:00 PM
Jun 2023

Many towering pines, oak, maple, dogwood, and sassafras. In the 10 years we've lived here, we've turned a barren, "front yard," into an island of evergreens, birch, aspens, maples, apple, and peach trees, with a farm pond full of ducks and geese, and a small runover pond with flowers and large rocks all around it. Its an ongoing project that we gladly take on.

The scent of the forest trees is intoxicating, especially after its rained.

Duppers

(28,125 posts)
26. Sounds just idyllic.
Sun Jun 11, 2023, 04:12 AM
Jun 2023

I bet if you had time, you could write a novel about your place.

Some day, before they put me in a wheelchair, I'm coming to visit.

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Mental Health Information»Trees are good for your m...