"Forest Bathing" and Eco-Therapy

The Japanese practice of forest bathing is proven to lower heart rate and blood pressure, reduce stress hormone production, boost the immune system, and improve overall feelings of wellbeing.  Forest bathing is basically just being in the presence of trees.  The term "eco-therapy" is an umbrella term for nature-based approaches to healing.  One such approach is spending time around trees.  After a stressful day at work, I find sitting under the trees in my back yard quickly relieves all the tension built up during the day.  Trees are necessary for humanity's survival and yet, according to a study by Yale University, trees are disappearing at an alarming rate.  Around 15 billion are lost every year due to deforestation, forest management and changes in land use.  Overall, humanity has been bad for trees.  The study found that since the start of human civilization, around 11,700 years ago, the total number of trees has fallen by around 46 percent.  We must act now to stop this decline.  We must give priority to restoring the world's forests - and we can begin in our own back yard.