SGC Admin: On September 25 2013, it’s Canada’s National Tree Day.…

A private members bill introduced in March of 2011. Please view the following from the National Tree Day website…

 

What is National Tree Day?

National Tree Day will serve as a celebration for all Canadians to appreciate the great benefits that trees provide us – clean air, wildlife habitat, reducing energy demand and connecting with nature.

 

When is National Tree Day?

On March 2, 2011 a private members motion to declare the Wednesday of National Forest Week, National Tree Day, received consent from the House of Commons. The motion was presented  by Royal Galipeau, M.P., at the urging of Tree Canada.

Recently,  I came across a story in the Whitby This Week local paper that touched my heart and thought it was a nice way to honour this years National Tree Day. ..

Thanks to Parvaneh Pession for putting the story together. It focuses on the Tree planting Event at Whitby’s Ontario Shores this past Sept 14 2013.

The event, is one of 143 TD “Friends of the Environment”  Tree days and brought together volunteers, staff and patients from Ontario Shores to create a healthy and comforting natural environment by planting trees. Ontario Shores physician in Chief, Dr. Ian Dawe stated the following…

The better a connection our patients can have with nature and the environment, the better and more natural we know their recovery to be.

Trees and the natural environment help mental health. They have a favourable influence on the human mind and body and according to certain studies, interacting with nature has a refreshing effect on our abilities of attention by increasing awareness stimuli for individuals with mental health issues.

Mental health issues do not stop or start with what we traditionally understand as such to be. Each and every day, everyone of us may struggle with our mental health. We get stressed, we worry, we feel anxious, doubtful, there are even days when we aren’t sure if we can make it through with out going “crazy” or “flying off of the handle”.

As we move through our day trying to react “normally” while we may have pressing and concerning issues stomping around in our heads, our physical bodies are also feeling the stress. Our heart rate goes up as we become anxious or feel we may be running out of time to get everything done, we may eat more bad food or forget to eat at all, and we may find it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.

At some point our physical, emotional and mental beings will revolt, they will fight back, trying to get our attention, by getting “us” sick,  by “letting us” forget or miss important appointments, and some of us burst into tears or getting very angry.

How can we help ourselves take care of ourselves?

We are getting smarter, we know we need to watch what we eat, we know we need to walk more, and exercise.. and some of us are lucky enough to understand how meditation works and set aside time to get these healthy things into our day, week or month…

With the above information from Dr. Dawe… it makes sense to take time out to “hug a tree” and walk softly upon mother earth. It can only do us some good in this crazy, upside down world… and while we are at it… we can give thanks to the trees, they shade us and they give us fabulous energy and fill our air with oxygen… we truly cannot do with out them.. its time to work with our trees, not against them.. 

Click Here to to go National Tree Day Website.

Thanks Parvaneh Pessian, Dr. Ian Dawe and TD “friends of the environment”  for reminding us the importance of trees…

Hug a tree and have a fabulous day… :)

source: Whitby This Week September 19 2013 Edition: Parvaneh Pessian