There’s a reason a walk outside in nature makes you feel refreshed. The sun gives you vitamin D, the wind feels cool on your skin, and the sights and sounds of trees and wildlife help your mind unwind. But the benefits of being in nature go beyond just how it makes you feel. Trees can actually support your heart health.

From lowering stress and blood pressure to improving air quality, spending time around trees does more for your cardiovascular system than you might think. And since today is Arbor Day, there’s no better time to celebrate just how powerful trees can be for the planet and for your heart.

Why Your Heart Loves Trees

You might think of trees as just a nice view for your morning walk or weekend hike, but they’re doing a lot more than you may think.

Trees Clean the Air

Trees play a big role in improving the environment, especially in the air we breathe. And when air quality improves around us, so does our heart health.

Air pollution can trigger inflammation in the body, put stress on the cardiovascular system, and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Trees act like natural air filters, absorbing pollutants and pumping out clean oxygen for us to breathe.

But it’s not just about cleaner air. It turns out that living in greener areas can actually lower your risk of cardiovascular disease altogether. One study found that people living in areas with lots of natural vegetation, including trees, had a 37% lower risk of being hospitalized for heart disease or stroke compared to those in less green areas. (1)

Trees Help Lower Blood Pressure

There’s something about being around trees that just helps you breathe a little deeper, move a little slower, and feel a little more at ease. And that’s not just a feeling. It’s a real, biological response happening in your body.

Spending time in nature activates your parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the “rest and digest” mode. This is the opposite of your fight-or-flight response, and it’s what helps your heart rate slow down, your muscles relax, and your body stay calm.

In Japan, this idea has become a form of therapy called shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing.” It’s not about what you're doing outside; it’s simply about immersing yourself in nature and being present.

Studies on forest bathing have shown that it can lead to lower blood pressure, reduced levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, and decreased sympathetic nerve activity. (2)

When your stress levels drop, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard. And over time, that emotional relief can lead to real heart benefits.

Trees Help Us Stay Active

Some days, the motivation to exercise just isn’t there. But take that same workout outside, under a canopy of trees, and suddenly it doesn’t feel like a chore. It feels like something you want to do.

Whether it’s a walk in the park, a hike through the woods, or just stretching under a shady tree, being surrounded by nature makes physical activity more enjoyable, and more likely to happen.

Research shows that green spaces like parks or shaded areas naturally encourage movement. (3) And when people have access to trees and trails, they’re more likely to use them.

Physical activity is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve our heart health. It helps lower blood pressure, improve circulation, and reduce cholesterol. And when exercise feels fun instead of forced, we’re more likely to stick with it.

Why Arbor Day Matters For Our Hearts

When we think about Arbor Day, we often focus on the impact it has on the environment. Planting trees, cleaning up parks, and protecting trees for future generations. And while that’s all incredibly important, it’s worth remembering that trees don’t just help the Earth. They help us, too.

From filtering the air we breathe to lowering our stress levels and encouraging us to move more, trees are powerful allies in supporting heart health.

So, if you're planting a tree today, remember it isn’t just good for the planet—it’s an investment in your long-term health.

This Arbor Day, take a moment to appreciate the trees in your life. Visit a nearby park, spend some time outside, or even plant something green. Your heart, and the Earth, will thank you.

Sources:

(1) Rajagopalan, S., Al-Kindi, S. G., Brook, R. D., & Brook, R. D. "Greenspaces and cardiovascular health." Circulation Research, vol. 136, no. 9, April 25, 2025. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.124.323583

(2)Qing, L. "Effects of forest environment (Shinrin-yoku/Forest bathing) on health promotion and disease prevention—the establishment of 'Forest Medicine'." Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, vol. 27, article 46, 2022. PubMed Central, PMCID: PMC9665958.

(3) Gupta, M., & Gupta, K. "StatPearls: Book Chapter Title." StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK597114/. Accessed April 25, 2025.