Are Real Christmas Trees Good For Your Mental Health?

New research from West Virginia University suggests the holiday tradition can reduce stress and mental fatigue by putting people in touch with nature.

Searching high and low for the perfect Christmas tree is tradition for Pen and Elizabeth Agnew.

"It gets me in the spirit. I love going out and looking for the trees," Elizabeth said.

Taking in the fresh pine is also therapeutic for Will and Sierra Pattersen.

"It's just the smell. It lets you know Christmas is truly here," Will said.

It's not just imagined. A new study from West Virginia University suggests even shopping for a real tree can boost your mental health.

Participants watched videos simulating shopping for real trees outside and fake trees inside. Researchers found the real tree experience helped people with metal fatigue and made them feel less irritable.

"The biggest takeaway is people like to go out to the natural world," said Professor David McGill, West Virginia University.

The study's authors point to the Japanese practice of "forest bathing," which has decades of research showing it can reduce stress, with levels of cortisol shown to drop after a walk in the forest.