The health benefits of a real Christmas tree
As the time comes to deck the halls, 糖心Vlog environmental psychologist Dr Birgitta Gatersleben explains why an artificial tree is no match for a real tree this Christmas.
鈥淭here is plenty of evidence to suggest that exposure to natural environments has beneficial effects on people. People who live near nature report higher wellbeing and satisfaction with life.
鈥淭here is a lot of evidence to suggest that people recover more quickly from stress and mental fatigue when exposed to natural, as opposed to built-up and 鈥榝ake鈥 environments. Indeed, plants in offices have been shown to have a positive effect on the wellbeing and creativity of workers.
鈥淧eople have for centuries been decorating their homes in winter with real evergreen plants such as holly, ivy, bay and laurel. Ancient Egyptians used evergreen wreaths to symbolise eternal life. During solstice, Norse pagans would bring in evergreen plants and even entire trees to ward off the sprits and bless the inhabitants. Early Christians displayed green in their homes as signs of everlasting life and the eternal spiritual life of man was represented by coniferous trees.
鈥淓vergreen plants seem alive when everything else appears dead. Indeed, it is the depth of colour of real trees and the smell that really appeals to people, as well as the notion that something alive is coming indoors.鈥
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