PHYSICAL contact is seen as key for mental health - so what do we do in these crazy COVID-19 times of social distancing?
The Icelandic Forest Service has come up with a perfect solution, saying that people should simply hug a tree while we can't hug each other.
Forest rangers in the country's eastern Hallormsstaur National Forest (pictured) have been hard at work clearing snow-covered paths, allowing socially distanced people to "get up close and personal with their forest friends," according to the IcelandReview newspaper.
"When you hug a tree, you feel it first in your toes and then up your legs and into your chest and then up into your head," said forest ranger Por Porfinnson.
"Five minutes is really good...if you can give yourself five minutes of your day to hug a tree, that's definitely enough," the tree hugging expert said.
The best technique, Porfinnson added, is to close your eyes, lean your cheek against the trunk and "feel the warmth and the currents flow."
However visitors to the national park are also being urged to ensure they don't all hug the same tree, in case of COVID-19 transmission.
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