I started this for myself when I was was suffering from all the intense symptoms of PTSD before I was diagnosed....Go to a park...approach a tree (yes, others may think you are crazy...they are the crazy ones!) then...this is simple...put your arms around and ...yes!!...HUG

This doesn't cost money....you can do it anytime...no equipment needed....it even has a few variations...follow with rubbing your hands down the bark (gently) and/or press your face just on the bark and sense the mark on your face that tree is posting on you as one of its beloved caretakers....a mark that reminds you when you are away that you are remembered and that you are loved....now in nature...in the future in the hearts of other treehuggers...maybe even other kind people you will meet!!! this experience that initiated this therapy was a memory of myself at age 3....down the hill in a vast forest..frantically rubbing my hand down a trees side as I was hugging it "for dear life"... at an early time of experiencing abuse/neglect....So...Have you HUGGED a tree TODAY ????

Not something I guess that has ever crossed my mind WF. If it works for you though, then that is all that matters.

Anthony...try it..you might like it!...Nothing ventured-nothing gained!!! Let your inner child out!!!!! It's been my ability to use my creativity that's kept me going!!! I have almost always been super sensitive in the natural world!!!

Oh WF,

What I would pay to see Anthony hugging a tree!! If you only knew my husband the mere thought would send you into fits of laughter. My husband has skills but that is definately not in his ball park. I am considered the 'tree hugger' of this family and I have a hell of a time trying to convince my environmental heathen of a husband of the merits of the 'green' approach. Sorry WF, it has taken me nearly six years to convince him not to pour cooking oil down the sink, that some of those household cleaning chemicals are really not good for anyone particulary pregnant women and babies and that recycling is worth the effort! He has improved, I'll admit but tree hugging??

Don't worry, Wildfirewildone, I'll give it a go. Although to be honest, my therapy would be someone volunteering to hug me, which is unlikely to happen in nature beyond my cats' twice daily cupboard love! (Or the embrace of a bear or a tiger's paws and nuzzling face...)

I spent today in beautiful nature and felt spiritual and happy. I just wish it could last. Now I feel fractured and lonely again. I just can't seem to be able to hug myself, and if I can't who else is going to want to?

Do different species of tree give off different vibes, by the way? Although I'm in England, I may not know the ones you have at your fingertips.

Now now Purdy... don't put yourself down because of one emotion. Because you don't want to hug yourself today, it doesn't mean that others don't want to hug you. Remember, you are in control of your actions, but you are certainly not in control of what others are thinking, nor a mind reader. You would have to ask others if they wanted to hug you or not, instead of making up your own mind that nobody wants to hug you.

Big difference from your thoughts, to the actual reality of the situation. If you tell yourself these things enough, you believe them, so don't tell yourself these things fullstop. Tell yourself that you don't want to hug yourself today, but others may want to still hug you. That is reality, that is factual. Please keep away from fictional thinking, because it is destructive with PTSD.

Besides, if I was with you now, I would hug you, no questions asked. See, you didn't know after all what I was thinking... so leave guessing games alone and give yourself more credit. If your having a bad day, call it what it is, but don't add fuel to the fire with fictional thoughts.

I won't hug a tree LOL. But a woderfully relaxing thing for me is to scoop up a little 2 year old of mine and feel the soft skin of her face pressed against mine is heaven. The smell and texture of her hair as I hold her and the grip she has hugging me so tight... I wisper I love you babygirl, she wispers back I love you too, momma. The in the sweetest baby voice... She then reaches up with her little hands to hold my face and gives me a kiss. I wish it could last forever. But alas, she wiggles away to be a normal 2 year old and go back to the little wrecking ball that she is through the house. A tree may not be able to get away like her, but nothing tops that!

When I am coming off my meds I am pretty worthless sleeping a lot and in pain, she will get under the blanket and curl up just kissing my face and brushing my hair out of my face. I hate her seeing withdrawls, but she has a great older brother who as I type this has her in the kitchen baking a cake.

They are what gave me the strength to face my panic and fears now, my attacks don't consume me anymore, but I know how far I still have to go... and I must for them and my husband.

My dog knows what "cuddle"means. She's great, although has dog breath and her elbows dig in. She is cute though and puts her head on my shoulder and wags her tail a lot!

I can't handle being touched at all. It does bug me. I have been hugged by my mother 3 times in my memory. I have been hugged many times by my brother, but those were suffocating hugs, not meant in a nice way at all. This no touching thing prevents any kind of relationship, so I get good friends with a guy and that's as far as it goes. I've never felt comfortable enough with anyone to explain. I still think maybe I'll meet someone eventually, but I don't get out much either!!!!!

I believe all of that will change piglet, with time. Someone, actually, has to teach you that touch can be good. You've only been taught that touching is bad and painful. I think if someone really respects you and loves, they will teach you the art of loving touch. You can master it. It can be done.

Hugging a tree....actually I've done it. Several times. I did it once to humor my hub telling me that I was a tree hugger. (I'm a bit of a hippie, especially in these parts.) And I did it another time just because I felt like it. There is something to be said about the freedom of nature and how beautiful and wild it is.

Veiled, you've nailed it. I also have a two year old girl and it is so precious when they truly love with all of their heart and soul. My girl will take both of her hands and squeeze my cheeks so my lips pucker and she lays one on me, sometimes with snot, food, whatever might be on her face! It's awesome. I also had a moment about two weeks ago, when I was going through a worthless phase, that she would brush away my tears, look at me in the eye and ask, "What's the matter mama?" I didn't respond. Then she said, "I love you, mama." And she kissed me, then she asked, "Is that better?" Oh how little she is, but so perceptive! Although a kiss from a two year old can't cure everything, it sure helps.

You guys are so right. I have a 4 & a 5 year old. My 5 year old always tells me when I am upset (crying or mad) "take a deep breath, calm down" It usually gets me laughing because she sounds so grown up and cheesey. Man thier hugs are so pure, it always melts my heart. Hold on to them while you can eh?! I always remind myself that soon they'll be "too cool".

Cheers to the Hippies! I'll hug trees with ya Nam!LOL