Over the past year or so, mental health has become a popular topic of conversation in a larger national dialogue. Although there are many factors that can contribute to the status of an individual's mental health, the development and management of stress and anxiety will almost always play a leading role.
Neurological research suggests that prolonged, unchecked stress can have detrimental long-term effects on overall health; especially throughout the teenage years. While stress is definitely not limited solely to teens, they certainly are a critical point where the skills they develop in order to self-regulate and effectively manage stress will be carried with them for the rest of their lives.
Here in the Bronx, many teens are at risk of engaging in unhealthy (if not downright dangerous) methods of handling their emotions when they feel overwhelmed. My project would give students an opportunity to learn to use plant care as a positive method for coping with stress, depression, or anxiety.
I have always encouraged students to research and explore various alternative avenues for coping with their stress, including aromatherapy, progressive muscle relaxation, ASMR, and even emotional freedom technique. Horticulture therapy has served as an inspiration for this plant care method, and I strongly believe many teens would benefit greatly from a modified variation of the practice. As with any city, there is limited green space in many students' neighborhoods, so I believe it would be beneficial for them to be able to learn to care for indoor plants as an alternative to traditional outdoor gardening.
My classroom has plenty of window access, as well as a large trough-style sink. Therefore, students can easily ensure their plants are getting the appropriate amounts of sun and water as they learn to properly care for a variety of different species.
About my class
Over the past year or so, mental health has become a popular topic of conversation in a larger national dialogue. Although there are many factors that can contribute to the status of an individual's mental health, the development and management of stress and anxiety will almost always play a leading role.
Neurological research suggests that prolonged, unchecked stress can have detrimental long-term effects on overall health; especially throughout the teenage years. While stress is definitely not limited solely to teens, they certainly are a critical point where the skills they develop in order to self-regulate and effectively manage stress will be carried with them for the rest of their lives.
Here in the Bronx, many teens are at risk of engaging in unhealthy (if not downright dangerous) methods of handling their emotions when they feel overwhelmed. My project would give students an opportunity to learn to use plant care as a positive method for coping with stress, depression, or anxiety.
I have always encouraged students to research and explore various alternative avenues for coping with their stress, including aromatherapy, progressive muscle relaxation, ASMR, and even emotional freedom technique. Horticulture therapy has served as an inspiration for this plant care method, and I strongly believe many teens would benefit greatly from a modified variation of the practice. As with any city, there is limited green space in many students' neighborhoods, so I believe it would be beneficial for them to be able to learn to care for indoor plants as an alternative to traditional outdoor gardening.
My classroom has plenty of window access, as well as a large trough-style sink. Therefore, students can easily ensure their plants are getting the appropriate amounts of sun and water as they learn to properly care for a variety of different species.
Read more