CSU Alumni Advocate Forest Bathing, Tree Hugging, and Trash Picking

May 19, 2017 at the Caraga State University Eco-Park and around CSU campus, the Caraga State University Alumni members went around for trash picking, and proceeded to the tail end of CSU Eco-park to do forest bathing and tree hugging with poetry reading.

The Caraga State University Alumni Association Inc. (CSUAAI) and the Public Information, Alumni and External Affairs (PIAEA) led this year’s alumni homecoming host, batch 1992 in an advocacy of environmental care, protection, and mitigation through different creative practices.

A number of alumni including the host batch and 2018 host batch 1993 attended the said activity with enthusiasm and passion. The group enjoyed bonding while trash picking, they were reminiscing the moments they had together in their alma mater.

“The Japanese practice of forest bathing is proven to lower heart rate and blood pressure, reduce stress hormone production, boost the immune system, and improve overall feelings of well-being.”

“The sounds you hear in the forest, like the whisper of wind, rustle of leaves, songs of a bird and the sound of streams have been proven to soothe the mind and therefore the brain activity.  This reduces blood pressure significantly."

The group also took pleasure in tree hugging.Tree hugging is therapeutic, enlivening, and invigorating. According to info.ecosia.org, “Trees mean a happy environment, healthy people, and a strong economy."

Research has shown that we don’t even have to touch a tree to feel better; we just need to be within its vicinity and experience its beneficial effect.

The group did a “poetry walk” while entering the forest and went on forest bathing. Facing the tall trees, and looking up above the sky, they slowly closed their eyes, unfolded their arms, disarmingly inhaled and exhaled, smelled the freshness and the sweetness of the forest and the trees, while listening to the birds, the gush of the wind, the rustling leaves and feeling the touch of the smooth and soft breeze. They were all quiet and ecstatic. Finally, they all felt calmness of mind and spirit, harmony, and serenity, “let go”, floated and flowed, and made jubilant merry noises.

The May 19, part 1 alumni homecoming activity ended with the Grow your own food program. The participants were given seeds that they can grow in their own backyards for free. And they were all encouraged to share for next year, seeds from what they have grown from the seeds they received, and to propagate the practice not just of growing one’s own food, but of sharing kindness, abundance,  and prosperity to fellow travellers in this world. The group sealed their commitment by signing the prepared tarpaulins for the activity.