Professor Matilda van de Bosh, of the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Forestry at UBC says our “old friends” trees, soils, and plants keep our immune systems healthy. In her Lancet article “Live Long in Nature, Long Live Nature!” Van de Bosh says:
“High-income societies have lost many immunoregulatory Old Friends : soil, plants, trees.”
Van de Bosh cites studies that say our immune systems depend on more of what is left or “the remaining biodiversity in the natural environment.”“Chronic inflammatory diseases are rising in prevalence in high-income countries where Old Friends are not around.“The urban increase is true for allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, and autoimmune diseases like Lupus.”
Scientists like Van De Bosh make us see that our own health is related to individual trees and the health of the area around trees.
Biologist David Haskell uses poetic writing to draw us in. This scientist shows us the relationships between trees, moss, and birds.
“All lichens’ hues are paint stroke fresh” says Haskell.
Haskell shows us how much fun it can be to fuse with nature.
In one chapter called “the experiment” he tells us how chickadees’ survival depends on their tiny down feathers with tiny fuzzy hairs “that hold heat ten times better than a styrofoam coffee cup.”
Haskell’s experiment is to stand naked in the ice cold forest for one minute before panicking and dressing as fast as he can with numb fingers.
He does this to remind himself that we don’t have much of a heat generation system compared to birds and animals of the forest.
So go outside and breathe in the gifts of the trees. Notice the health of the area around trees. Notice how you feel when you are around trees.
Please say it with me: “Healthy Tree, Healthy Me”
Verla
How interesting. Luckily I live around lots of tress 🙂
I love trees! Being outside in the woods is one of the best things anyone can do!
I love trees, which is why I enjoy living out in the country!
The benefit of living in the woods are endless. Thanks for the very informative post.
Great article! Interesting fact about living closer to greenery prolongs life. Too many cities are becoming industrialized 🙁
That looks like a beautiful place to spend the day.
I agree! Land does bring hope, in so many ways!
I have always lived in the country in the South among tall pines and graceful deciduous trees of all kinds. I agree that they are essential to physical and mental health.
This is super interesting, I have a background in statistics so reading more about how studies are conducted and the outcomes are exciting. We moved about 8 years ago from a large city to an area with green space. It has been such a good decision for us and reading this makes so much sense.
This is so interesting! All of your posts make me want to be outside more!
I live in Texas in an area lack of trees. People in general have some of the most horrible allergies around here. I find it funny that I can go camping in areas filled with trees and be perfectly fine, but the minute I step back into our area, my allergies go crazy. Interesting article!
While reading your informative article, I started wondering about desert dwellers. When there aren’t any trees other than a few arbitrary palm trees or scraggly mesquites, are there still the same health benefits conferred? Just points to ponder…🤔😊😘
The urban sprawl is not only disheartening to see the trees cut down but we are also harming our health according to these scientists. Interesting article. No wonder I feel great hiking amongst the trees!
I loved this post! I am putting Haskell’s book on my wish list.
Interesting article. I always like seeing how you incorporate trees into your life and how that translates over to writing.
oh TREES!!! We live in a newly developed neighborhood and sadly there are no mature trees! We spent New Years at a cabin and my little boys kept saying mom we love these trees! Your post is written with such a deep knowledge and a great perspective!
Before we moved we lived in a city that was densely populated however there was a park a few blocks away that I loved. It was great to see the water, people enjoying the outdoors and along with a breeze. Now we don’t live on top of people but I do miss walking in that park. It encouraged us to exercise more.
Interesting study, and completely believable. And I never knew that fact about the down feathers of the chickadee. Very cool how everything was created to survive so perfectly in its environment. My husband wants to move to the woods- and I’m kinda on board 🙂
Very informative article! Thanks so much for bringing this to my attention! I enjoyed the read 🙂
Fascinating and enlightening article on the relationship between nature, specifically trees and the healthy environment they create for humans. This article belongs in the curriculum for high school students and as well the general public would greatly benefit from this knowledge . I well written and very informative article.! Thanks Verla!