Americans spend more than $126 billion annually on the treatment of mental health. Mental illness costs the U.S. economy approximately $282 billion annually (accounting for reduced consumption, savings, investments, and lost labor).

Meanwhile, the current administration has cut $820 million for violence prevention, more than $1 billion in school mental health grants, and $1 trillion from Medicaid, which covers about 30% of Americans who depend on mental health care.

Interestingly, the federal government is also moving to reduce one of the most easily accessed and least expensive forms of mental health care – exposure to trees.

According to a report released by the Cleveland Clinic,  people who walk in the forest twice a day for two hours (so, four hours of walking a day) have greater levels of cancer-killing proteins and immune cells. And where you walk matters – walking in an actual forest had a greater effect on cardiovascular health than walking in a city park.

The air in forests has a higher concentration of oxygen than urban and indoor environments. This increased oxygen supports proper oxygenation of your blood and actually strengthens your brain function – cheaper and a lot more enjoyable than memory supplements!

Finally, forests are also chock full of phytoncides, which are antimicrobial compounds released by trees and plants. Phytoncides help trees and plants protect themselves against bacteria, fungi, and insects. The good news is, they have a similar effect on humans. So on top of vaccines and handwashing, a walk in the woods is a good way to help you stay healthy!

Studies show that

• Inhaling phytoncides increases the number and activity of human Natural Killer (NK) cells, which help fight viruses and tumor cells.
• They aid in Stress Reduction, lowering blood pressure, reducing cortisol (stress hormones), and decreasing the heart rate. [1, 2]
• They improve mood and sleep by supporting nervous system relaxation.

So on top of vaccines and handwashing, a walk in the woods is a good way to help you stay healthy!

In 2016, the Dominican Sisters of Peace adopted a corporate stance committing each of us to support actions, programs and legislation on all levels to protect Earth’s climate, with particular concern for the negative impact affecting the lives of the poor. Protecting our trees and old-growth forests is more than just the “right” thing to do – it offers health benefits for all of us!

To learn more about the importance of mature forests and trees, visit the Arbor Day Foundation website. If you are inspired to replace the thousands of trees being uprooted by construction in our nation’s capital and changes in environmental regulations, please consider making a donation.