Tree hugging shows your support for the conservation of forests, additionally, research on the benefits of nature exposure shows that it helps decrease stress and anxiety.
Despite the easing of quarantine restrictions, we all must remain at a safe distance from one another.
This Valentine’s Day, you may have a chance to finally hug someone- or something.
From February 14 to 18, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is holding a “tree-hugging event” that is good for your heart and the tree.
Organized by the agency’s Forest Management Bureau (FMB), interested participants only need to post a picture of them hugging a tree and share it with the FMB Facebook or Instagram pages.
The tree-hugging movement is a long exercised non-violent activity among tree conservators, environmentalists, and nature lovers.
The practice is said to have started in the 1973 Chipko movement in India when locals hugged trees to oppose commercial logging operations and emphasized the interdependence of humans and the environment.
Not only does hugging a tree show your support for the conservation of forests, but research on the benefits of nature exposure also shows that it helps decrease stress and anxiety.
While most of the studies were conducted in forests, an urban park with healthy trees and a well-maintained ecosystem is an alternative to us those of us living in the city.
DENR-FMB is challenging us to show our appreciation for the oxygen-providing trees in our own communities as well as an alternative to vandalizing tree trunks with election paraphernalia.
“In the observance of a free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible election, the public is being reminded to refrain from posting election ads on trees other than those allowed by law,” they wrote.
Here are the mechanics:
1. Like the FMB Facebook page and follow their Instagram account
2. Share the event post from the FMB page or Instagram from February 14 to 18
3. Post a photo showing a creative way of hugging a tree with a short description of the importance of tree-hugging along with the hashtags #TreeHuggingDay #PunoNgPagmamahal, and #ValentinesDay
Selected participants will receive a token of appreciation from DENR-FMB.
Tags: #environment, #ValentinesDay, #treehugging, #DepartmentofEnvironmentandNaturalResources