Teaching in the forest?

School in the green to reduce children’s stress.

School holidays in #Singapore have just ended. Most of the parents might feel a “relief” to leave their children for indoor teaching after #schoolholidays. Some children might not feel the same “relief”, instead feeling more stressful going back to #school. Children experience stress in school might lead to lower academic achievement.

Researchers in Germany published recent article that outdoor teaching has a positive effect on stress responses in German students. Cortisol was measured among 48 German secondary school students for one year. Students were planned to study in the forest as intervention group, whilst the control group continued to study indoors. Results showed teaching in the forest was associated with a lower cortisol, was constant over the school year. 

Cortisol, also called “stress hormone”, is controlled by HPA. Higher levels of stress hormone may result anxiety and depression.

What if school is in the green?

If children are studying in the #green, low levels of stress hormone may help children to maintain:

1. Good sleep

Children can sleep well is stress hormone is reduced especially at night. This allows the body to relax and recharge the next day.

2. More Alert

If children’s bodies are recharged, they feel less tired and able to concentrate during class.

3. Less obese

When the child is stressed, he/she will crave for “junk” food.

4. Less frequent of falling sick

Stress hormone stops the body from self-repairing. Hence, children who are stressed up fall sick easily.

5. “Energised” body

Children feel active and do not complain of frequent headaches and body aches when stress hormone is lower.

6. #happy

High levels of stress hormone suppress serotonin production that regulates the child’s moods. Hence, children feel happy if stress hormone reduces.

Author and photo source by #SG #optometrist, Chua Yee Leen