Getting outside in our yards and enjoying the fresh air is a nice break from electronic devices, work, and the daily stresses of life.
There are many different uses for trees in our yards beyond the obvious: shade, privacy, and beauty. Trees are also here for our own enjoyment and relaxation.
Did you know that trees play a significant role in contributing to our overall well-being and ability to relax?
Trees not only provide a peaceful canopy of shade, but they also help calm us down. Surround yourself with greenery, and you will be instantly transported away from the daily hustle and bustle of life.
Most people are aware that trees play an important role in maintaining clean air. Breathing clean air is good for our health and will help improve our moods, too! Talk about a win-win!
Close your eyes and hear the calming, tranquil sounds of nature. The leaves rustling, the birds chirping. These natural sounds drown out noise pollution from nearby traffic or loud neighbors, and instantly relax your entire body.
Get Physical! Taking hikes, walking, or simply enjoying a park stroll among the trees will help boost those endorphin levels. All while improving our mental health and our sense of relaxation.
Finally, there is the psychological aspect of being around trees. Did you know trees have a positive effect on our mood? This, our dear readers, is a fact! The very sight of trees can help reduce anxiety and depression.
Picture it— the sun comes out, the birds are chirping, a butterfly flutters past your window, almost like it is trying to tell you something, and your lush shade tree is casting the perfect shadow over your hammock. So you play along, grab a book and a lightweight blanket, and head outside to your very own backyard oasis.
We’ve listed a handful of options for you to try with your newly planted tree or your existing trees. If we’ve left anything out, be sure to comment below with what fun or relaxing uses you’ve found your trees are good for!
Check out this creative list of ideas to get you started relaxing and enjoying your backyard oasis today →
01 Hang a swing
Unwind from a hectic day with a tree swing! This is one form of good old-fashioned fun & relaxation that has stood the test of time. Whether it is a rope swing, a tire swing, a wooden board, or a love seat for two, tree swings will be sure to help you beat the doldrums! The rhythmic motion of swinging is calming. Add the view of nature surrounding you, and you are on your way to relaxation and fun in no time.
Tree swings offer a variety of benefits, making them a fantastic addition to any backyard or play area.
Doesn't this make you want to hop right on one right now?
02 Tie up a hammock and enjoy a nap or two
Hammocks tied to a tree, or maybe you have the kind that stands alone, either way, under the shade of a tree is hands-down the perfect napping spot.
Lean back and relax with a good book, and close your eyes. Let the light flicker through the canopy above and drift away into a napping wonderland. Listen to the peaceful soundscapes of birds chirping and leaves fluttering all around you. Be careful, you may never want to leave this spot.
Is there really any reason not to have a hammock?
03 Build a treehouse
Building a treehouse is gonna take time and planning. The results are well worth it. With careful construction, you now have a secret retreat into the wilderness, with a birds-eye view. Bring a book and a pillow for a nap, or some binos for bird watching. Disconnect from devices and play in your new fort! We assure you, you will come away de-stressed and full of fun memories.
04 Hang birdhouses & feeders- these make for fun bird watching
Birdhouses and feeders are a simple and enjoyable way to add a touch of whimsy to your yard. Hang them from a branch, fill them with some bird food, and let the fun begin! You can get creative here if you want to make or decorate your birdhouse or bird feeder.
Not only will you attract wildlife to your yard, but you will also find something to take your eyes away from the phone and out into the natural world around you.
Bird watching is a relaxing and fun activity for all ages.
05 Tree fairy garden
Have you ever spotted a fairy garden on a walk? Fairy Gardens are lawn ornaments, but on a miniature scale. Homeowners who have a sense of wonder still left in them may use fairy gardens to add whimsy to their yard. Fairy gardens are sometimes set up near the trunk of a tree. Creating a fairy garden is a fun hobby to get you out into nature and use your imagination. If you have little ones, they will take joy in imaginary play with a fairy garden nestled under the shade of a tree.
Fairy gardens enhance both playtime and creativity for children and even adults. Making life all the more fun and relaxing.
Other fun and relaxing things you can try →
• Bark & leaf rubbing: Grab a paper, a crayon, head to a nearby tree, and get to it!
• Tree litter art: On your next stroll through the park, look down. This is important; you don't want to pull from the tree itself. Look on the ground around the tree where you'll find the treasure for your next masterpiece. Collect fallen branches, bark, acorns, and leaves, and see what kind of tree you can make.
• Tree scavenger hunts: Make a list of different kinds of trees to find and check them off as you go along. This is a fun & relaxing way to learn more about trees on a walk through your very own neighborhood. Another way to do this is to make a list of things that come from a tree to find on your walk, for example, an apple, an oak leaf, or a stick.
• Tree climbing: Find the biggest tree with the lowest hanging branches, with bark that isn't too rough, and you've found a very special thing— a climbing tree! Good old-fashioned fun! Supervised, of course, with the kiddos.
• Tree tour: Some villages and park districts do tours of their historic trees. If not, with a little bit of research, you may be able to do one on your own.
• Big tree hunt: Head outside and find the biggest trees you can in your community. Bring a tape measure and your camera to document your findings. What a fun way to learn about the trees where you live!
• Tree ID: Some local arboretums and park districts offer these courses. They are often available as in-person events or online.
• Forest Bathing: Immerse yourself in nature. Surround yourself with the solitude of trees. Doing so is said to help calm your body and mind and slow your heart rate. Making you healthier, happier, and more relaxed. Learn more about Forest Bathing here.
Discover other tree-related events & learning opportunities right here.
Trees can help to relax us when we need it the most. They listen without judgment, they give without asking, and they offer fun and enchantment to people of all ages.
So go on, get outside and connect with nature. Relax with trees and find joy in the outdoors! Fun and relaxation are just a tree away!
Share how you use your trees for fun, and be sure to tag us on social media! @itreeschicago & #jointheTREEvolution!
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