Open Air Business June/July 2017

GLAMPSITES
But it’s not just getting more natural light
that makes being outdoors beneficial. The
biophilia hypothesis suggests humans have
an innate tendency to seek connections
with nature and other forms of life. It’s
believed that the deep affiliations we have
with other life forms and nature as a whole
are in our biology. So, sleeping in a natural
environment surrounded by vegetation
really can help us recharge our batteries
and take rest and relaxation to a whole new
level.
To enhance the beauty and benefits of
the natural environment, structures that are
made using natural materials should blend
seamlessly with their surroundings and
mimic shapes found in nature, making us
feel part of the natural world.
Forested areas provide a unique and
magical environment, but when choosing
woodland structures it is important to
consider that you will often be dealing
with difficult ground that can range from
flat to sloping. Choosing a structure that is
suspended between the trees, such as our
Tree Tent, can be a solution - flexible design
allows installation in areas that were once
believed to be economically unviable.
Our suspended tree house is positioned
among the branches of a tree and actively
moves with it mimicking the structures
that animals and insects may make for
themselves. Other eco-friendly options
include timber structures made from
sustainable ash. Integrated clear skylight
panels bring in natural light and allow
for stargazing at night. In our Firma Shell
structure, a fully glazed front entrance
affords uninterrupted views of the
surrounding environment.
Spending time around trees and looking
at trees reduces stress, lowers blood
pressure and improves mood. Numerous
studies show that both exercising in forests
and simply sitting looking at trees reduces
blood pressure as well as the stress-related
hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Looking
at pictures of trees has a similar, but less
dramatic, effect. Studies examining the
same activities in urban, unplanted areas
showed no reduction in stress-related
effects. Using the Profile of Mood States
test, researchers found that forest bathing
trips significantly decreased the scores
for anxiety, depression, anger, confusion
and fatigue, and because stress inhibits
the immune system, the stress-reduction
benefits of forests are further magnified.
A SENSE OF FREEDOM
Trees and green space encourage
healthy lifestyles, improving public
health. An ageing population is putting
pressure on health and care services. An
increasing proportion of the population
is obese, most worryingly particularly in
the young. International evidence has
demonstrated the critical impact trees
have in encouraging more active lifestyles
and alleviating the symptoms of some
of our most debilitating conditions such
as dementia, obesity, heart disease and
mental health problems.
“When you are outdoors you feel different
– most people, young or old feel a sense of
freedom, space and find it easier to relax,”
says Marina Robb, director of Circle of Life
Rediscovery CIC - a provider of nature based
experiences and courses that are described
as educational, fun and life changing
including woodland days, camps and
forest school sessions for schools, holiday
woodland days, CPD days and forest school
training for adults.
“The science says that our cortisol levels
reduce, so we are more open to learn and
feel at ease in a group. We have evolved in
the outdoors, coming inside more and more
over the last few decades,” she continues.
“We speak about resilience a lot, the
ability to ‘bounce back’ – and we can’t learn
this if we try and make everything safe and
‘nice’. Then there is the living world in its
magnificence and profound beauty and
all the relationships that exist beyond the
human; the trees being one of the great
living beings on the planet; slow to grow
and move but all with their medicines and
characters as well as providing wood for
warmth and cooking. Climbing up high
gives a different perspective, and what
is needed in our world is the ability to
empathise and see many perspectives,” she
concludes.
It’s clear to see that an escape into the
outdoors, even just for the night, can
work wonders on our health. At Tree Tents
we’re passionate about connecting people
with the great outdoors and creating
opportunities to disconnect from the pace
of modern life. Our glamping structures
are inspired by nature, designed to blend
seamlessly with their environment and
enhance the freedom that comes from
camping in the wild.
SPECIAL OFFER
Get in touch to discuss your
ideas for a world away from it all
and quote ‘Open Air Business’
to receive £1,000 worth of free
upgrades. 01273 973 937
www.treetents.co.uk
info@treetents.co.uk
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jason Thawley is innovation and design director and founder of Tree Tents International, a company specialising in the design,
building and installation of sustainable structures and equipment for outdoor living. His range of outdoor hideaways are designed
and engineered to meet the ever-changing environmental conditions of the world’s wild and natural places, giving their owners and
guests a chance to escape into the great outdoors in a way that enhances well-being and benefits the environment.
Tree Tents International began life with the creation of the spherical Tree Tent, a lightweight ash and aluminium structure that can
be assembled on-site and suspended between the trees. Since then the company has gone on to create more unique structures and
outdoor accessories incorporating local and sustainable materials along with hand-made manufacturing processes.
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