The power of woodlands, long known and now science is proving it

I have always been drawn to the woods. As a forester’s daughter it wasn’t surprising spending so much time there; teddy bears picnics for birthday parties, collecting sacks of acorns on Saturday mornings, the annual family outing to the local pine plantation to select the best Christmas tree… And into adulthood I kept returning to trees when I needed to clear my mind, reset emotions or think through a particularly challenging work situation that staring at a screen wasn’t solving.

And I wasn’t alone. Friends were always keen to join me on a walk around the woods, I’d bump into plenty of others happily “just going for a walk”, and once the kids came along the joy of finding that perfect low branched and knobbly old oak to climb brought back the childhood wonder of trees. At school we are taught trees are vital for producing oxygen and sustaining wildlife, culturally woods pop up again and again as significant meeting places and the backdrop for countless fairytales, and many people in the fast-paced modern world still recognise the calming impact of being surrounded by trees.

So, it was no surprise to read the new research from the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, and funded by the UKRI, proving a link between access to woodlands and a reduction in antidepressant use. The study looked at over 100,000 people over a 5-year period and found that those living within a 10-minute walk of an improved woodland area were less likely to be taking medication for depression or anxiety. The study proved the positive impact of woods, despite health or wealth challenges, and strongly supports the establishment and improvement of woodlands as an important supporting tool to improve health inequalities across the country.

When Ruth and I were discussing our perfect networking set-up, we knew it needed to be outside, and we knew we needed trees. The perfect location presented itself, Nowton Park, with its eclectic mix of ancient native trees, rare international species, and impressive lime tree avenue hundreds of years old. And from our very first Strategy Stroll our diverse attendees agreed, the woods really does work and offers the perfect location to support wellbeing whilst promoting creative thinking and positive communication.

So whether you’re already sold on the power of the trees, or just curious to see if walking and talking in the woods can really change your thinking, join us on our next Strategy Stroll in the beautiful Nowton Park, just outside Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.