Confession: I Hug and Hold Trees.

What are you doing to feel good these days? Since I’ve been spending more time indoors this winter, I’ve been cultivating my inner space. I’m trying to stay on top of watering my plants, I’m meditating in the morning/listening to my Divine Goddess Affirmations, and lighting incense and burning lovely candles (Diptyque’s Narguile being my favorite thus far). I’m also making sure that I take some time to GO OUTSIDE!

Being home is nice and comfortable and all, but our bodies need to interact with a diversity of microorganisms. We need to introduce these bacterias and microbes into our own microbiomes; this is what helps our immunity develop. It’s why children should play in sandboxes with one another; it’s why you should feel the soil on your hands, and why you should hug your friends and family.

Since some of this connective activity has been limited for many folks lately, which I’m sure is contributing to increased sadness, I suggest you get yourself outside and connect with trees. Yes! touch a tree, hug a tree, lean against one!

Increase Your Serotonin Levels Through Nature

I love to touch trees or hug them; I envision that I’m meshing with its life force. I like to visualize roots growing from the bottom of my feet into the ground to meet that of the trees. I conjure up images of connection so that I can start to actually FEEL it.

“Hugging a tree increases levels of hormone oxytocin. This hormone is responsible for feeling calm and emotional bonding. When hugging a tree, the hormones serotonin and dopamine make you feel happier.”

– Wild Tree Adventures

I always feel super pleasant after physically connecting with nature. We are not separate from nature; it is of us, and we, of it. If you can, start developing a relationship with mother nature who can supply you with so many resources to help increase mental clarity, induce relaxation, and stimulate happiness.

All photos taken by me; (c) dycephotography

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