Familiarize yourself with how nature can impact your well-being.

Earth and nature play a crucial role in our daily lives, providing a wide range of benefits and resources that are essential for our well-being and survival. Here are some of the key ways in which they are important:

Clean Air and Oxygen: Trees, plants, and other natural ecosystems produce oxygen through the process of photosynthesis, which is vital for humans and other animals to breathe. They also help filter out pollutants from the air, improving air quality.

Fresh Water: Earth’s natural systems, such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater, provide us with freshwater sources for drinking, agriculture, sanitation, and industrial processes.

Food and Agriculture: Natural ecosystems and fertile soil support the growth of a wide variety of crops and provide habitats for livestock. Many of the foods we eat, including fruits, vegetables, grains, and meats, come directly from nature.

Medicinal Resources: A vast number of medicinal compounds and substances are derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms found in nature. Traditional medicine and modern pharmaceuticals often rely on these resources.

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth, contributes to ecosystem resilience, stability, and productivity. Ecosystems provide services such as pollination of crops, water purification, carbon sequestration, and flood regulation.

Recreation and Well-being: Natural areas like parks, forests, beaches, and mountains offer spaces for recreational activities, exercise, relaxation, and mental rejuvenation, contributing to our overall well-being.

Cultural and Spiritual Value: Nature has deep cultural and spiritual significance for many societies. It is often a source of inspiration, art, storytelling, and a connection to ancestral heritage.

Climate Regulation: Natural systems, such as forests and oceans, help regulate the Earth’s climate by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas. They play a critical role in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Economic Benefits: Many industries and livelihoods depend directly on Earth’s resources, such as timber, minerals, fisheries, and tourism. These industries contribute to economic growth and provide employment opportunities.

Erosion Control and Soil Fertility: Natural vegetation helps prevent soil erosion by stabilizing the soil with their roots. They also contribute organic matter to the soil, improving its fertility and productivity.

Natural Beauty and Aesthetics: The beauty of natural landscapes, from scenic vistas to diverse ecosystems, enriches our lives and has inspired countless forms of art, literature, and cultural expressions.

In summary, Earth and nature are fundamental to our existence and quality of life. Their services and resources are interconnected and play an essential role in providing us with the necessities and pleasures of daily life. It’s crucial that we recognize and value these contributions and work to protect and sustain the health of our planet and its natural systems.

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Importance of NatureZitlahlyc HerediaAcademic CoachUSC Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity

Learning Outcomes◦Familiarize yourself with how nature can impact your well-being.◦Incorporate nature into practices of mindfulness and self-care.◦Understand natureÕs benefit on our mental health.This Photoby Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Importance of Nature◦Being in nature allows one to (Bratman et al., 2012):◦De-stress◦Focus on the moment◦Elevate positive emotions◦5 Types of Nature (Bratman et al., 2012):◦Countryside/farmland◦Water Bodies◦Urban Green◦Forest/woodlands◦WildernessPhoto cited from: Google Images

Benefits of Nature◦Nature provides the following benefits: ◦Sense of calm, energy, or focus.◦Reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. ◦Social meeting place. ◦Greenleaf et. al, 2013 found that it is also helpful to access nature through technology (phone, tablet, laptop):◦Ringtones◦Calming sounds◦Background noise◦E-mail or browser themesPhoto cited from: Google Images

Natural TherapyPhoto cited from: Google ImagesoLight Therapy (Sloane et al., 2008)oHelps with depression, sleep disorders, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).oIn the morning / early evening spend some time in the sunlight.oHorticultural Therapy (Greenleaf et al., 2013)oGrow your own or join a community vegetable garden.oUrban and Parkside Gardens at USCoStart a small plant or flower section in your home, dorm, or workspace.

Summary: Ways to Connect with Nature◦Meditate on grass or on the beach. ◦Walk around campus and focus on the noise of birds or trees gusting in the wind.◦Reflect on your day while being in nature.◦Use apps. (i.e. Calm, Nature videos on YouTube) to give background noise. ◦Step outside when taking a break from studying.Photo cited from: Google Images

References◦Bratman, G.N., Hamilton, J.P., & Daily, G.C. (2012). The impacts of nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. ◦Greenleaf, A.T., Bryant, R.M., & Pollock, J.B. (2013). Nature-based counseling: integrating the healing benefits of nature into practice. Springer Science +Business Media New York. ◦Sloane, P.D., Figueiro, M., & Cohen, L. (2008). Light as therapy for sleep disorders and depression in older adults. Clin Geriatr.Images:◦https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f77SKdyn-1Y◦https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd7e4SNjGBM◦https://www.pinterest.com/pin/426293920955319931/◦https://oregonwild.org/wilderness

Importance of NatureZitlahlyc HerediaAcademic CoachUSC Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity

Learning Outcomes◦Familiarize yourself with how nature can impact your well-being.◦Incorporate nature into practices of mindfulness and self-care.◦Understand natureÕs benefit on our mental health.This Photoby Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Importance of Nature◦Being in nature allows one to (Bratman et al., 2012):◦De-stress◦Focus on the moment◦Elevate positive emotions◦5 Types of Nature (Bratman et al., 2012):◦Countryside/farmland◦Water Bodies◦Urban Green◦Forest/woodlands◦WildernessPhoto cited from: Google Images

Benefits of Nature◦Nature provides the following benefits: ◦Sense of calm, energy, or focus.◦Reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. ◦Social meeting place. ◦Greenleaf et. al, 2013 found that it is also helpful to access nature through technology (phone, tablet, laptop):◦Ringtones◦Calming sounds◦Background noise◦E-mail or browser themesPhoto cited from: Google Images

Natural TherapyPhoto cited from: Google ImagesoLight Therapy (Sloane et al., 2008)oHelps with depression, sleep disorders, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).oIn the morning / early evening spend some time in the sunlight.oHorticultural Therapy (Greenleaf et al., 2013)oGrow your own or join a community vegetable garden.oUrban and Parkside Gardens at USCoStart a small plant or flower section in your home, dorm, or workspace.

Summary: Ways to Connect with Nature◦Meditate on grass or on the beach. ◦Walk around campus and focus on the noise of birds or trees gusting in the wind.◦Reflect on your day while being in nature.◦Use apps. (i.e. Calm, Nature videos on YouTube) to give background noise. ◦Step outside when taking a break from studying.Photo cited from: Google Images

References◦Bratman, G.N., Hamilton, J.P., & Daily, G.C. (2012). The impacts of nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. ◦Greenleaf, A.T., Bryant, R.M., & Pollock, J.B. (2013). Nature-based counseling: integrating the healing benefits of nature into practice. Springer Science +Business Media New York. ◦Sloane, P.D., Figueiro, M., & Cohen, L. (2008). Light as therapy for sleep disorders and depression in older adults. Clin Geriatr.Images:◦https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f77SKdyn-1Y◦https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd7e4SNjGBM◦https://www.pinterest.com/pin/426293920955319931/◦https://oregonwild.org/wilderness