I’ve long believed that being in woodlands and nature is good for me. But now, post-pandemic, even the government says that woodlands are good for our health and well-being. Let’s look at the science and my experience working with different groups of people in woodlands.
I recently had the pleasure of leading several guided walks in a local ancient woodland area. These walks covered various topics, including fungi and bats for those interested in the subjects and a series of walks for individuals with mental and physical health issues.
Many of these individuals have been dealing with their health problems for a long time, while others have experienced health issues for the first time that can be directly related to the pandemic.
It is becoming more apparent that woodlands offer numerous benefits to human wellness and health, as well as the planet.
Woodlands have several climate benefits, such as the ability to capture carbon, manage floods, and reduce water and air pollution.
In early December 2021, the British Government released a report by Forest Research (you can read the report here: woodland walks save the NHS approximately £185 million in treatment costs per year.
Specifically for England, woodlands save £141 million in costs associated with mental health illnesses, including GP visits, drug prescriptions, inpatient care, social services, and lost days due to mental health issues. These figures are based on evidence of reduced incidence of depression and anxiety resulting from regular visits to woodlands.
Woodlands offer a range of health benefits, including reducing allergies, boosting self-esteem, and improving mental well-being.
Access to nature is essential for good mental and physical health at all stages of life. Living near green spaces has been linked to lower cortisol levels, a stress hormone, and reduced health inequalities related to income. Studies show that newborns born in areas with more greenery have higher birth weights and head circumferences.
People living near trees and green spaces are less likely to be obese, inactive, or rely on anti-depressants. In urban areas with more trees on the street, doctors prescribe fewer anti-depressants.
On my recent walks, I encountered some wonderful diverse groups, including teenagers from inner-city areas, working individuals with mental or physical health issues, convicted prisoners, rehabilitating people with early-onset dementia, and retired or semi-retired adults. The benefits of nature are one of the very few things that are available to everyone, regardless of their ethnicity or social background.
Trees have a positive impact on our psychological health and help keep our bodies healthy by reducing air pollution. Trees absorb air-borne pollutants, a consequence of our industrial revolution and modern lifestyles. These pollutants can exacerbate respiratory and heart conditions and contain carcinogens that can cause anxiety, depression, and cancer.
Trees help by absorbing harmful chemicals from the air and releasing beneficial ones. Phytoncides are volatile compounds with anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties, and trees release them as part of their metabolic process. Phytoncides create a protective microclimate around the tree, defending it against insects, animals, diseases, and decay.
In studies where participants were exposed to phytoncides, a significant increase in the immune system was recorded. In particular, they recorded an increase in natural killer cells (NK), and they are our body’s natural first immune defence against pathogens, viruses and even cancer.
NK cells are white blood cells that act as the first responders of our immune system. Unlike other immune cells, they don’t rely on immunity to react. Viral infections can damage or destroy our white blood cells, leading to depletion and decreased immune response to diseases.
Researchers in Japan conducted trials on people in both woodland and city environments. They found that exposure to phytoncides, which are released by trees in woodlands, increased the levels of NK cells and also decreased stress levels, as shown by a decrease in stress hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline in the urine.
Interestingly, just one hectare of woodland, depending upon the tree species, can release between 11 and 30kg of phytoncides every day.
Exploring woodlands can be highly beneficial for people with early-onset dementia, according to research by the Forestry Commission in Scotland.
Being in a woodland environment can provide a sense of freedom, meaning, identity, social connection, and inclusion, which are essential for individuals with dementia.
Woodland activities offer a space for discussion, which is often missed during challenging times. They allow people to relax, connect, and reminisce about past life experiences, providing a meaningful and purposeful sensory experience that can improve spatial awareness and overall well-being.
Throughout the pandemic, taking regular walks in the woodlands has helped many people feel better.
For some, it has prompted them to change their pre-pandemic lifestyles to continue enjoying the benefits of being in nature.
However, only some people have easy access to woodlands or green spaces. Some students from inner London Boroughs admitted to spending all their free time indoors watching movies or playing games on their phones or tablets, estimating that they spend zero hours outside except for essential travel.
During our walks, I would regularly stop the group to listen to the birds singing and encourage them to replicate the sounds. We had great fun.
It was also a chance for me to share some information about the different species they could hear and how they could recognise the patterns within the bird calls.
On one occasion, we had stopped, and I asked the whole group to be silent, and that was so that they could listen to a Greater spotted woodpecker knocking its beak into a nearby tree.
The looks of awe and amazement on those faces were really wonderful, especially as the woodpecker moved around the tree into clear sight, where its stunning colours and headbanger method of building a shelter for the colder months were easy to see and hear.
I was later sent four sketches of the woodpecker, such was the impact of that one sighting on the people in our group, while one particularly creative soul mixed a drum and bass track based on the woodpecker’s rhythm that we enjoyed rocking out to.
Although only a few of the groups have access to woodlands, London’s parks and green spaces are plentiful, and we gave them all the details of the amazing wild spaces that the London Wildlife Trust maintain with free access to the public and lots of activity-based events to get involved with.
Some of our group have taken the time to explore their local area and enjoyed walks by the local river, canal, or even through the wildlife-rich cemeteries that can be found throughout London and all major cities and urban areas.
Nature provides endless fascination and a sense of well-being, making it so exciting to explore what is on your doorstep.
Whether it’s a woodland, ocean, river, or inner city park, discovering and enjoying your local area and the wildlife that calls it home can be a fantastic adventure.
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Further information on the benefits of Woodland
Further information on finding Green space near you
Further information on London Wildlife Trust