Trees!  We all know that they provide shade and give us great fall colors.  Did you know that they do so much more for us, like improving our health and keeping us cool, especially during the hot summer days. Here are few thoughts on the therapeutic value of trees and why we should sit under, watch, and plant more trees:

• Feel better sooner – Something as simple as a view of trees can improve recovery time, reduce stress and lower our blood pressure
• Lower temps – Trees can keep us cooler by evapotranspiration. The space under a shade tree is up to 8 degrees cooler. And, if there is breeze, it can feel even cooler
• The proximity of trees can improve our mental health and improve concentration
• Bio-philic response – We feel better watching the wildlife that use trees as habitat and food, which helps to maintain our connection to nature
• Cleaner air – Trees purify the air that we breath by absorbing carbon monoxide and give back oxygen
• Creativity – Our creativity improves by just being around trees, just ask Joyce Kilmer and so many other writers and poets who extole the benefits of trees
• Self-esteem – Trees can help improve spatial awareness and help people regain a sense of self (fine research)
• Increased focus – Looking at trees can improve our concentration (Francis & Kuo)
• Lose weight – We tend to move more when we are around trees, resulting in more exercise
• Brighten our day – Birds sitting in trees sing out to other birds creating wonderful melodies for us to listen to as we spend time outside.

Some doctors are prescribing spending time in a park. The National Rx Program has been promoting walks in a park for our health and well-being. Find a local park and conduct your own research. Let me know if you feel better after spending time sitting, looking and just absorbing the health benefits that a tree has to offer.