Relieve stress by huggin' a tree for Chrissakes

November 1, 8:59 PMNY Wellness ExaminerRoger Ziegler

Previous Next

4 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the NY Wellness Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

 
Hugging a tree is stress relief that's not just for tree huggers anymore.

Here's a great tip for how to relieve stress. You can do it just about anywhere, anytime and it doesn't cost a thin dime.

So go on, don’t be shy, hug a tree. And if anyone calls you a fairy or some other namby-pamby derivative, tell them to join you or F-off.

Tree-hugging as a way to relieve stress and connect to the earth goes back to traditional cultures, but recent reports and my own personal experience indicate it can be good for our modern life.

The Native American healer and author  Sun Bear said, “trees are conductors of energy between the heavens and the earth. When you hold and hug a tree, you feel the energy and it can be like a blood transfusion.” 

Just like they take our carbon dioxide and make oxygen, trees absorb our stress and negativity and returns it to the earth to be recycled, leaving us with an openness and calm.

Questioned by the police

When I’m feeling stressed out, my mind is racing with cluttering thoughts or I just feel “disconnected,” I hug a tree for natural healing.

Sure some people look at me funny, and I'm even occasionally questioned by the police, but I know this is good for me, and the tree seems happy to help out.

The nature-rapers have been in charge for too long, stand up proud and strong and hug a tree.

I don't want to get all cosmic on you. This is just about common sense. You don’t have to wear tie-dye or eat kind veggie burritos. Trees love everyone; beleaguered Wall Street types, academics, artists, iron workers and stage hands just as long as you don't pee on them.

How to properly hug a tree

Go up to the tree matter-of-factly and wrap your arms around it as far as you can. Close your eyes and feel the tree. What does the bark feel like? Open your eyes. What does the tree look like? Just notice it. Look at it as if you are looking at a tree for the first time ever.

If you are a beginner, or overly concerned about what people might think, sit down at the base of the tree with your back leaning against it. Take a few deep breaths, give the tree your stress.

It is so easy to lose our connection to nature in the city, but if you take a moment here and there – hug a tree, look at the sky, you will feel that connection again and that grounding can help you feel better even if you do feel like an idiot at first.