http://inhabitat.com/new-book-explains-how-hugging-trees-could-actually-improve-your-health/ Green design & eco innovation for a better world Fri, 24 May 2013 19:53:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc http://inhabitat.com/new-book-explains-how-hugging-trees-could-actually-improve-your-health/comment-page-1/#comment-366784 awatrees Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:55:39 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/?p=332793#comment-366784 Sounds like an interesting read. Over the last few decades an increasing amount of research has looked at links between trees, forests and improved mental and physical health. The evidence base is established and growing. It sounds like Silverstone references much of this in his book. However researchers generally agree that such benefits of trees are likely due to a complex mix of learned culturally defined mechanisms and perhaps even partly innate biologically based traits, for humans to respond positively to nature and trees. Thus whilst trees giving off ‘good vibes’ is an endearing theory, my gut reaction is one of skepticism and I fear such ideas may ‘muddy the water’ and even detract from the evidence suggesting that trees provide real practical benefits to health and wellbeing. Sounds like an interesting read. Over the last few decades an increasing amount of research has looked at links between trees, forests and improved mental and physical health. The evidence base is established and growing. It sounds like Silverstone references much of this in his book. However researchers generally agree that such benefits of trees are likely due to a complex mix of learned culturally defined mechanisms and perhaps even partly innate biologically based traits, for humans to respond positively to nature and trees. Thus whilst trees giving off ‘good vibes’ is an endearing theory, my gut reaction is one of skepticism and I fear such ideas may ‘muddy the water’ and even detract from the evidence suggesting that trees provide real practical benefits to health and wellbeing.

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