A growing Embrace: Why Young Chinese Citizens Are Turning to Trees for Solace and Connection
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A surprising trend is taking root in Beijing and beyond: young people are actively seeking solace and connection by hugging trees, a practice facilitated by a burgeoning forest therapy movement. This isn’t simply a whimsical act, but a response to the pressures of modern life, exacerbated by the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving societal norms.
The Urban Forest as Sanctuary
In Beijing’s central district, trees are increasingly prevalent, lining parks, roadsides, and even the grounds of office buildings. Yet, the act of truly connecting with them – whether through mindful observation or simply embracing its trunk – is described not as intuitive, but as a skill to be learned.
forest Therapy and the Search for Touch
“Hugging trees is a way of having touch in one’s life,” explains Xiaoyang Wong, a 35-year-old former film editor and now leader of a forest therapy community in Beijing. Wong retrained as a therapist following the profound sense of loneliness and isolation she experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.Her approach emphasizes mindful observation – noticing the insects within the bark, understanding the tree’s complex ecosystem – before encouraging physical contact.
Wong notes that initial attempts at tree hugging can feel awkward, but through guided observation and interaction, participants learn to appreciate the tree as a living entity. She even recounts being told she was a “natural” at tree hugging, despite initially learning the practice by observing others in city parks. While older, important trees are ofen protected by fencing, newer plantings remain accessible for public interaction.
Seeking Relief in a Changing World
The practice of embracing trees is gaining traction as individuals seek relief from everyday stresses. On weekends and even late at night, people of all ages – families, friends, and couples – can be found connecting with trees, resting against their trunks, and finding a moment of peace. These stresses have been amplified by the pandemic and a shifting cultural landscape,especially among young women who are increasingly questioning traditional expectations surrounding marriage and seeking choice paths to fulfillment.
research suggests trees offer a sense of grounding and vitality. Preliminary findings from ongoing research, involving interviews with over 25 young men and women, indicate that women are more likely to participate in forest therapy, seeking both connection with nature and with other people.
Innovative Therapies and a New Generation of Caregivers
Wong has adapted traditional forest bathing techniques, incorporating innovative practices like “plant enactment,” where participants adopt the name of their favorite tree for an entire day and embody its essence through gesture. She and a growing number of other women, having left high-pressure careers, are dedicating themselves to caring for the urban environment and facilitating these therapeutic experiences.
During one group session, a 28-year-old participant named Florian Mo shared his struggles with finding and maintaining romantic relationships. He argued that a societal stigma surrounding young love contributes to emotional difficulties,and that learning to love as a teenager could foster healthier partnerships later in life. For Mo and others, trees provide a safe space for self-exploration and connection.
An Alternative Narrative of Urban Repair
The story of China’s rapid urbanization is frequently enough framed by concerns about pollution and environmental degradation. However,individuals like Wong and Mo represent a counter-narrative: a generation actively seeking to repair the urban environment through connection,care,and a profound recognition for the natural world.They demonstrate a desire not just to exist within the city, but to nurture and heal it, one embrace at a time.
This article is republished from the Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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