🌳 Connecting with Trees — Even Without a Forest Nearby

Based on sylvotherapy (forest therapy) training and scientifically backed studies, it has been found that you don’t actually need to be standing in the forest to receive some of the benefits of trees. Our nervous systems are beautifully responsive and even small, intentional connections with nature can make a difference to our wellbeing.

While nothing fully replaces time in a living, breathing forest — with its deep physiological and psychological benefits, for now, let’s look at what’s available when we don't have forest access.

Here are a few simple, accessible ways to connect with trees wherever you are:

🍃 1. Look at trees (yes, even photos count)

Research shows that viewing images of trees or natural landscapes can reduce stress, calm the nervous system, and improve mood.

Try:

A tree photo as your phone or computer background
A picture or photo of a tree on your wall
Just sit and spend some time looking at this tree, noticing its shape, shades of green, branches and so on.

💚 2. Green is medicine

The colour green is strongly associated with balance and restoration.

Exposure to green tones has been linked to:

Reduced cortisol (stress hormone)
Improved focus and mental clarity
Gentle regulation of heart rate and breath
Houseplants, green clothing, green walls, or sitting near a window with trees in view all count.

🌿 3. Bring trees indoors

Houseplants act as living allies.

Caring for them builds relationship, rhythm, and presence.

They can also support air quality and humidity — subtle but meaningful physical benefits.

I love to gently touch and talk with all my houseplants.

🌬️ 4. Essential oils as “forest memory”

Certain essential oils capture the aromatic compounds released by trees in forests — the same compounds we breathe during shinrin-yoku (forest bathing).

Tree-based oils such as:

Cypress
Douglas fir
Hinoki
Spruce
Cedarwood

can support calm, grounded focus when diffused or gently inhaled.

Some blends are designed specifically for this purpose — for example, doTERRA Shinrin-Yoku blend, inspired by forest bathing practices. I was very lucky to have been gifted a bottle of this from some guests and I have really enjoyed it, especially while not being able to access the forest due to my injury.

You might try:

Diffusing while working or resting
Inhaling from cupped hands before sleep
Pairing scent with a short breathing or grounding practice

Scent is powerful — it bypasses the thinking mind and speaks directly to the nervous system.

🌳 5. Breathe with a tree

You can connect with a favourite tree no matter how far away it is, it may be from your childhood, it may be over the road and you can see it from your window, it may be one that you have dreamed up or a painting on the wall, it' doesn't matter. Just set your intent to connect with that tree.