Written by: Emily Couture
Are you afraid of the forest? Popular fairy tales often portray forests in a manner that could cause a lifelong fear of the forest. This leaves the question, “are the portrayals accurate, and should we be afraid of the forest?”. To answer this question I’ll be focusing on Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, and Hansel and Gretel.
Fairy tales have given forests a bad reputation. In fairy tale forests, you’ll find witches and wolves who want to eat you and people who want to kill you. The trees have faces and branches that attack you. Furthermore, there are glowing eyes of owls and bats that are just waiting to attack you. A lot of bad things happen in the forest, especially surrounding death; Snow White is given a poison apple, Red and her grandmother are eaten, and Hansel and Gretel are sent to die in the forest.
Forests in real life are vastly different than they are in fairy tales. Unlike the forests in fairy tales, going into a forest has a lot of benefits. Being in forests can improve your mood and holistic health. They are a good source of vitamin D and exercise, both of which are imperative for good health. Studies have shown that being in forests can even reduce your stress levels and improve your sleep. Additionally with all the trails there are in forests, it is not probable that you will run into a wolf or witch who wants to eat you. Some animals that you may encounter include, but are not limited to: rabbits, deer, squirrels, and foxes. As long as you’re staying on marked trails so you don’t disturb any habitats, you probably won’t run into many animals.
In conclusion, yes you should go into the forest. As long as you’re staying on marked trails and being mindful of your surroundings, going into the forest can be very beneficial.
Sources:
https://cvc.ca/conversations/top-7-health-benefits-of-being-in-nature/
https://selecthealth.org/blog/2019/07/10-reasons-why-being-in-nature-is-good-for-you
https://www.discover-southern-ontario.com/Canadian-animals.html