Scientists Meet Scientists – TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee Talk | Seminar Series of European Universities on Sustainability by Prof. Piotr Tryjanowski: “Mental health and sustainability – the importance of our relation to nature”
Events, WCT |
On November 29, 2023, Prof. Piotr Tryjanowski (Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poland & TUM-IAS Hans Fischer Senior Fellow) will present the second talk in our recently launched Seminar Series of European Universities on Sustainability, which has become an integral part of our Wednesday Coffee Talks. The talk is entitled “Mental Health and Sustainability – The Importance of Our Relation to Nature.”
Abstract:
Currently, we have a global problem with human mental health, and it is even underlined in a debate on sustainability. However, providing easy solutions to improve our well-being, both in academia as well as in the general society, is a challenging task.
I will start my talk with backgrounds by explaining emotional reactions to nature, and how it becomes a human passion or sometimes even a kind of obsession, how we recognize traits of nature to improve our well-being, and for example, how different organisms (birds, trees, orchids) are connected to mental processes and therapeutic issues. Birds are especially important to understanding the ecosystem services concept, and psychological values are also a vital part of this concept.
Does sustainability require our fascination with nature? Do particular species have similar importance to particular persons? Not necessarily, because people differ not only by gender, age, and life experience but also by chronobiological types (skylark vs owl).
Importantly, cultural and practical reasons also affect the recent lack of nature syndrome or psychotherapeutic problems. Potential solutions suggested are walks in (semi-)wild nature, providing feeders, and listening to bird calls, including recordings as relaxation music. These activities change mindfulness, microbiome, and psychological syndromes, like Alzheimer's and depression, and even recovery rates after cardiological and oncological surgeries.
Finally, I will suggest some predictions based on Google trend analyses, new technologies, and changes in psychology according to new challenges, with references to evidence-based medicine and potentially modified by … black swans.
Date: November 29, 2023
Time: 13:00 CEST (until approx. 14:00)
Location: online
Registration: The TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee Talks including the new Seminar Series of European Universities on Sustainability are held online via Zoom making it accessible to a global audience. To register and to receive the Zoom link, please send an email to events@ias.tum.de.
Seminar Series of European Universities on Sustainability
As part of the ongoing commitment of the TUM-IAS to foster scientific exchange and professional networks, the Seminar Series of European Universities on Sustainability aims to bring together scientists from research institutions in Eastern, Southeastern, and Central Europe to discuss topics related to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. This seminar series is a first step to bridge the geographical and academic gaps in order to create a scientific network, and encourage joint research initiatives and build lasting collaborations for a more sustainable future
THE TUM-IAS WEDNESDAY COFFEE TALKS
Every Wednesday after lunch, it's all about a new topic - current research highlights at TUM, insights into the work of our Fellows from all over the world, sometimes even topics not usually found at TUM, such as history or theology.
The talks held online start every Wednesday during TUM lecture time at 1:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome - TUM researchers of all levels, students, visiting scholars, and anyone interested!
Each final Wednesday of the month, a topic related to the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals will be featured as a part of the Seminar Series of European Universities on Sustainability, a new initiative of the TUM-IAS in partnership with universities across Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe.
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An overview of upcoming and past TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee Talks can be found at the TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee Talk Overview.