THE HEALING POWERS OF NATURE ON MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH

Nature therapy has been proven to heal mental health issues. In this chapter let's explore how reconnecting with the natural world can work wonders for maternal mental health.

Therapeutic Gardens

In the heart of every seed lies the promise of growth and renewal. For mothers seeking solace, therapeutic gardens offer a sanctuary for nurturing both plants and spirits. Here's why:

• Stress Reduction: Digging in the dirt isn't just for plants; it's therapy for the soul. Gardening provides a mindful escape from the pressures of daily life, allowing mothers to unwind and decompress.
• Mood Enhancement: There's magic in watching a seedling stretch towards the sun. Gardening fosters a sense of accomplishment and connection to the earth, boosting mood and self-esteem.
• Bonding Opportunities: Whether it's planting flowers with little ones or swapping gardening tips with fellow moms, cultivating a garden fosters bonds that nourish both relationships and mental well-being.

Ecotherapy and Its Benefits

 Ecotherapy beckons mothers to embrace the great outdoors for a journey towards mental wellness. Here's why it's worth the adventure:

• Natural Stress Relief: In the embrace of towering trees and rustling leaves, stress melts away like dew in the morning sun. Nature's tranquility soothes frazzled nerves, offering a reprieve from the chaos of daily life.
• Mindful Reflection: Amidst nature's splendor, mothers find space for introspection and self-discovery. Whether it's a quiet walk in the woods or a moment of stillness by a babbling brook, ecotherapy invites reflection and renewal.
• Physical Wellness: From invigorating hikes to gentle strolls, nature beckons mothers to move their bodies and nourish their spirits. The fresh air and natural beauty inspire a sense of vitality and well-being.

In the rhythm of nature, mothers find solace, strength, and renewal. Whether it's tending to a garden or wandering through the woods, the healing power of nature offers a sanctuary for maternal mental health. So, let's step outside, breathe deep, and embrace the beauty that surrounds us. After all, in nature's embrace, we find healing for the body, mind, and soul 💚

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Take a look at what our Instagram Family has to say on #healwithnature

@theadventglobal -

"Nature is itself a medication and cure for everything. The sounds, smell, the beauty, and the feel, it’s so relaxing and beautiful in itself ❤️"

"Through all human senses!"

@the.beetshop

"Nature is good for the body and the mind. Gardens are classrooms, homes, and a place for healing."

@aisha_bahga -

"Resilience. Our earth is very resilient." 

@_food_quote_

"With time" 

CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Geological records show that there have been a number of large variations in the Earth’s climate. These have been caused by many natural factors, including changes in the sun, emissions from volcanoes, variations in Earth’s orbit and levels of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Global climate change has typically occurred very slowly, over thousands or millions of years. However, research shows that the current climate is changing more rapidly than shown in geological records.

The mechanics of the earth’s climate system are simple. When energy from the sun is reflected off the earth and back into space (mostly by clouds and ice), or when the earth’s atmosphere releases energy, the planet cools. When the earth absorbs the sun’s energy, or when atmospheric gases prevent heat released by the earth from radiating into space (the greenhouse effect), the planet warms.

 A variety of factors, both natural and human, can influence the earth’s climate system.

The main driver of climate change is the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. When the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases.

Some gases in the Earth's atmosphere act a bit like the glass in a greenhouse, trapping the sun's heat and stopping it from leaking back into space and causing global warming.

Many of these greenhouse gases occur naturally, but human activity is increasing the concentrations of some of them in the atmosphere, in particular:

• carbon dioxide (CO2)
• methane
• nitrous oxide
• fluorinated gases

NATURAL CAUSES

• Sun's Intensity
• Volcanic Eruptions 
• Changes in Earth's Orbit, Axial Tilt & Precession 
• Quality of Greenhouse Gases in the Atmosphere
• Ocean Currents 
• Changes in Land Cover
• Meteorites Impact

CAUSES FOR RISING EMISSIONS ( HUMAN INDUCED) 

• Burning coal, oil and gas produces carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.
• Cutting down forests (deforestation). Trees help to regulate the climate by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. When they are cut down, that beneficial effect is lost and the carbon stored in the trees is released into the atmosphere, adding to the greenhouse effect.
• Increasing livestock farming. Cows and sheep produce large amounts of methane when they digest their food.
• Fertilizers containing nitrogen produce nitrous oxide emissions.
• Fluorinated gases are emitted from equipment and products that use these gases. Such emissions have a very strong warming effect, up to 23 000 times greater than CO2.

Thank you to all those who responded to our question on our social media platforms. Here are some of the answers we got as being causes of climate change: 

eaglewingorganization (Instagram)-

"Human activities are the leading causes of climate change...from deforestation to make a living, improper use of fertilisers especially those containing nitrogen, burning coal and use of gas emitting devices."

earthlab (Instagram) -

"Climate change is a combination of natural factors and human activities."

Amina Shah (Whatsapp)- 

"Our own actions. We burn the forest and we don't plant back, we create a lot of plastic items, we manufacture harsh chemicals which in turn affect the lands and the oceans, the list is endless." 

https://linktr.ee/theseedoflifefoundation

REASONS / CAUSES OF EXTINCTION

 In this chapter we shall brush through some of the causes or reasons of extinction. In our next chapter however, we shall look at the human induced causes in depth. 

1. Habitat Loss 

The most common cause of endangerment is habitat loss. Plants and animals need space to live and energy provided by food, just as humans do. As human population and consumption increase, wildlife habitat is converted to houses and highways. Forests are cut down for building materials, fuel, and paper.

Even if habitat is not completely destroyed, it can be fragmented or degraded so much that it can no longer support the species it once did.

Many species, particularly large mammals, need large areas of habitat to survive and reproduce. Patches of forest or grassland surrounded by farms or cities, or divided by roads, will not support these species. 

2. Changes in the Atmosphere 

We know little about how changes in our atmosphere, such as global warming or ozone depletion, is affecting other life forms. However it is becoming more apparent every day that climate change is, and will have a significant impact on the planets species.

3. Diseases 

Disease and insect infestations, which are natural and nonthreatening phenomena in many ecosystems, can deal a death blow to populations weakened or depleted by other pressures.

4. Climatic Heating and Cooling

Climate Change is caused by a number of things. The effect that climate has on extinction is very big. The biodiverse Earth can't keep up with the rapid changes in temperature and climate. The species are not used to severe weather conditions and long seasons, or a changing chemical make-up of their surroundings. As more species die, it is only making it more difficult for the survivors to find food. The warmer climates we are used to present-day are perfect for diseases and epidemics to thrive.

5. Changes in the Sea levels of Currents 

The changes in sea levels and currents is a result, in part, of the melting freshwater. The denser, saltier water sinks and forms the currents that marine life depends on. Ocean floor spreading and rising also affects sea level. A small rise in the ocean floor can displace a lot of water onto land that is all ready occupied. The gases from the volcanic activity can also be absorbed by the water, thus changing the chemical composition, making it unsuitable for some life.

6. Asteroids/ Cosmic Radiation 

Asteroids hit the earth with extreme force. The reverberations can be felt around the world. The impact site is completely destroyed.

Cosmic Radiation is radiation being emitted from outer space and the Sun. It is hypothesized that being exposed to too much cosmic radiation can mutate genes, which can potentially weaken a species' genepool in the future. Since the radiation comes from space and the Sun, it is extremely difficult to avoid the radiation. Supernova remnants is one source of cosmic radiation.

7. Acid Rain 

Acid rain forms when sulfur dioxide and/or nitrogen oxides are put out into the atmosphere. The chemicals get absorbed by water droplets in the clouds, and eventually fall to the earth as acid precipitation. Acid rain increases the acidity of the soil which affects plant life. It can also disturb rivers and lakes to a possibly lethal level.

IMPORTANCE OF GOING GREEN

Going green has huge effects on our body, mind, relationships, and the world around us in many ways. Our environment can either increase or reduce stress; hence impact the body. The things we see, experience or hear can change our mood and how our immune, endocrine, and nervous system function.

A stressful environment causes anxiety which in turn elevates blood pressure, muscle tension, and heart rate and going green reverses these impacts. A natural environment is a stress reliever, it heals and makes you feel better emotionally and contributes to your physical wellbeing. It helps us cope with pain. This is because trees, water, plants and other natural elements distract us from pain and discomfort.

A green environment also helps us to connect with others. People who have green space around their homes build more relationships and are concerned about supporting each other. Such also lowers aggression, violence, and street crime between people meaning a better capacity to cope with the daily demands. 

Going green creates a healthy living environment and also improves lifestyle. 

Reduce resources consumption and eliminate wastes.

Conserve natural resources and forests.

Maintain the natural ecological balance on earth so that all living things can survive and thrive in their natural habitat.

Use of fossil fuels like petroleum, natural gas, and coal, and burning wood produce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and many harmful chemicals that pollute the air and have serious consequences on environment and people's health.

Such measures can save lives, because air pollution has become "a major environmental health risk," according to the World Health Organization (WHO), that has led to the premature death of 3 million people. Decreasing air pollutants would reduce water pollution by decreasing acid rain and eutrophication that can harm to wildlife especially in aquatic environments, and crops and trees report Massachusetts' Department of Environmental Protection.

Save Biodiversity and Human Livelihoods.

These are just some of the importance of going green, there are countless more economic, environmental and personal benefits of going green and living a sustainable life. 

What Does Go Green Mean?

 Initially the term "go green" was used to mean recycling of waste. Nowadays, going green goes beyond the traditional definition of recycling goods; the term ‘to go green’ means much more than just recycling.

"Going green" means to pursue knowledge and practices that can lead to more environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible decisions and lifestyles, which can help protect the environment and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations.

Going green means to live life in a way that is friendly to the environment and the earth as a whole. It could also mean contributing towards maintaining the natural ecological balance in the environment, and preserving the planet and its natural systems and resources. Overall, people who go green take steps to minimize the harm that they do to the environment, such as the carbon footprints they leave behind.

Carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organization, or community. 

Take a look at a definition from our The Seed of Life Instagram family. According to them this is what going green means:

@earthlabelapparel 

Going green to me means being able to live a life that supports more natural forms pf life. eg green mind, green clothing, green business, green housing etc. It is choosing better, that's what it means. 

@_real_rizwana

To me go green is preserving animals species home from harm or from being destroyed. I wouldn't want anything to happen to our home, so why would I want to hurt a creature who is unable to talk, to defend him/herself by destroying their home?

GO GREEN - An Introduction

 The term " Go Green " has been widely used since the early 2000's 

The term “go green” seems commonplace today, but the genesis of its mainstream appeal began when Jill Buck, mother of three, started the Go Green Initiative in 2002, according to a May 28, 2010 article by researcher, Rebekah Richards of Answerbag.com Rebekah Richards, Professional Research Staff for Answerbag.com.

In our new blog series we will be looking at what Go Green means and how we can all practice going green in our day-today activities.