Kaitlin & Nancy's takeaways from recent content we've discovered
Force of Nature
Based on: “The Nature Fix," a book by Florence Williams.
A hike in the forest always makes me feel better and it could be related to the chemicals that trees emit. The trees in the forest emit a chemical called phytoncide. Phytoncides give the forest that wonderful, characteristic smell - think pine, a smell I love. Phytoncides are active substances that protect trees against harmful insects, bacteria and disease. And guess what? They are beneficial to humans too.
Phytoncides strengthen your immune system by boosting your natural killer immune cell activity. Natural killer cells are white blood cells that target foreign cells in the body like virus, bacteria and cancer cells. Studies show that a 2 hour walk in the forest can increase this type of cell activity and the effect can last for days. In Japan, the term Shinrin-yoku, or a "forest bathing trip," refers to this healthy practice.
The forest air creates a relaxation response which helps us shift toward the parasympathetic nervous system, or the "rest and digest" state. This has a powerful effect on our heart rates and our blood pressure. Exposure to phytoncides lowers our cortisol and adrenaline which are main actors in our fight or flight response. If we lower cortisol and adrenaline, we will lower blood pressure and heart rate which is protective for our hearts.
Forest air not only reduces adrenaline and cortisol, but also increases levels of dopamine and serotonin. Higher levels of dopamine and serotonin are associated with elevated mood and less anxious or depressive feelings.
Spending at least five hours per month outside is enough to realize positive effects. Ten hours is even better to elevate your mood and stave off depression, engendering feelings of restoration, vitality, and creativity.
While the weather is on our side, get out to the woods, your local park, or your own backyard, and soak in the restorative benefits of phytoncide!
