Why Should We Care About Trees and Forests?
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kyoto, Japan
1. Trees are busy and do a lot of stuff.
Trees are incredibly important and serve so many functions! "Trees help clean the air we breathe, filter the water we drink, and provide habitat to over 80% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity. Forests provide jobs to over 1.6 billion people, absorb harmful carbon from the atmosphere, and are key ingredients in 25% of all medicines. Ever taken an Aspirin? It comes from the bark of a tree! "
2. Trees species are super special and unique
Did you know that trees communicate with each other? In real life, not just in Lord of the Rings. This is a summary of amazing research being done by Suzanne Simard in the Faculty of Forestry and UBC, It's world renowned, and based on our own local forests.
Class Video - "How Trees Communicate with Each Other" and pay attention to some of the ways in which trees "talk".
Still not amazed by the abilities of nature?
TASK: Watch this video that dissects the way that plants protect themselves - The Amazing Ways that Plants Defend themselves.
3. Plants provide us with medicine
Review the following infographics - notice the different ways in which plants, fungi and vegetation provides us with many items that we use to stay healthy today. Record your responses on the Question Sheet.
What about Fungi? Where Do Essential Oils Come From?
Forests provide us with health. Not just from a scientific standpoint, but also from a psychological health standpoint. There are specific qualities about forests and trees themselves that are actually healing.
The country of Japan, with some of the most significant mental health & stress-related issues amongst their citizens, has realized this point. Since 1982, they have been researching and investing in the impacts of "Forest Bathing" or "Shirin-yoku". It is now promoted around Japan as a way of helping their citizens stay active and healthy.
Note that Forest Bathing focuses on utilizing your 5 (or 6!) senses to engage in relaxation and stress release.
TASK: Watch the following two videos on Forest Bathing, and read the article that explains the practice of Shinrin Joku.
Video 1 - Shinrin-yoku - What is Forest Bathing?
Video 2 - How Does Forest Bathing Work & Why is it Effective?
*Note - spending time in nature of one of many effective ways to improve mental health, including seeking the help of mental health professionals and effective pharmaceutical treatment.
Read Article - Shinrin-yoku - So how do you do it? Exploring the 5 Senses
Now Decide - What Do You Think?
After a little introduction - what's your opinion on Forest Bathing, and other nature-connected health remedies?
Do you already drink medicinal and herbal teas (like peppermint)? Do you use balms and salves when your muscles or sore or to heal a cut? Do you use essential oils? Does your grandma feed you certain foods to boost your health? =)
This is just an invitation to see what's happening in places outside North America, and to explore other perspectives regarding nature and health that falls outside of the conventional Western perspective.
PRACTICE FOREST BATHING VIRTUALLY - OR IN REAL-LIFE!
Ok, feeling open-minded? Or stressed and want to give this a go? Then try one of the following ways to immerse yourself in nature.
OPTION 2 - VIRTUAL FOREST-BATHING -
After a little introduction - what's your opinion on Forest Bathing, and other nature-connected health remedies?
Do you already drink medicinal and herbal teas (like peppermint)? Do you use balms and salves when your muscles or sore or to heal a cut? Do you use essential oils? Does your grandma feed you certain foods to boost your health? =)
This is just an invitation to see what's happening in places outside North America, and to explore other perspectives regarding nature and health that falls outside of the conventional Western perspective.
PRACTICE FOREST BATHING VIRTUALLY - OR IN REAL-LIFE!
Ok, feeling open-minded? Or stressed and want to give this a go? Then try one of the following ways to immerse yourself in nature.
OPTION 1 - REAL-LIFE FOREST BATHING - USE YOUR OWN TRAIL AND WANDER - TRY AND SPEND AT LEAST 20 MINUTES IN NATURE.
- Go for a walk in a forest - review the instructions - this is not a hike with a time-limit where you are keeping track of time or counting your steps. You are not focused on your heartbeat or the intensity of your work out. This is just an aimless walk, jog, run - stopping whenever to appreciate your surroundings
- Think about the 5 senses - what you hear, smell, see, feel, taste =)!
- Try and invite one of your family members to join you - no talking, but appreciating the experience together.
- Try the forest route behind Ms. Sawatsky's portable! Its close to home, and you don't have to worry about getting lost.
- Keeping in mind the article instructions about the 5 senses, explore some of the videos below. Try and spend at least 15-30 minutes in a row where you can be uninterrupted. If possible, cue the videos ahead of time to avoid ads on Youtube.
- Close your eyes, think, relax, and push out the anxious thoughts that will flood your mind at first. Don't judge any thoughts that comes into your mind. Just let yourself be open to the experience.
- Choose one or a couple of these sound videos. Like it? You can also watch some of the other videos. The music is a bit distracting - try listening to nature sounds while looking at the images. Don't judge yourself if you fall asleep! =)
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