How being outside can benefit children’s minds
by Natasha Christou Digital Marketing ConsultantFresh air in the lungs can make a
huge difference to anyone’s mental wellbeing. Developing a good relationship
with the great outdoors is important for people of all ages, but at a young
age, this can prove to be crucial to achieve great mental health in later
years.
With some help from Winston’s Wish, an organisation which
specialises in supporting young people through bereavement, so grab your windproof
umbrella and let’s explore exactly
how spending time in nature can help to promote healthy minds in our children
Why
adventure is important
While learning certainly happens in
the classroom, it can be built upon by experiences in the wider world. By
allowing children to explore the outdoors, they can become more aware of new
habitats and the life which thrives there. Their understanding of nature is
enhanced in this way, encountering a whole host of new sources of imagination
and creativity in doing so. Children can build dens and enact their favourite
stories outdoors — they might even find a hungry caterpillar along the way!
Even on a rainy day, you could get your kids
waterproofs out of the cupboard and encourage them to go on an outdoor
adventure — a lot of fun can be had while jumping through puddles!
Promoting
good relationships
Making connections with others is a
basic human necessity, and these relationships can feel a lot more natural in
an outdoor setting. Many people experience a stronger sense of relief when they
walk while discussing an issue that they’re experiencing, as it can feel like a
more suitable environment to truly clear their thoughts. In children, listening
and being listened to promotes a healthy sense of self-esteem, and connecting
with other youngsters provides the base for solid future connections.
Natures boost
The release of feel-good endorphins
is what makes us feel so good after any kind of exercise, even a gentle
15-minute stroll can make a world of difference on how positive we feel. Making
a conscious effort to take some time to go for a walk can help to keep both our
mind and body feeling happy and healthy, and it is one of the only ‘free’ ways
to feel excellent
Developing
resilience skills
When a child first experiences any
form of loss or grief, it can be a difficult process to navigate and often
parents might struggle to help their kids verbalize their feelings in relation
to their bereavement. The characteristics of nature can be useful tools for
explaining life cycles, discussing how new growth happens and how natural
elements assist. These practical examples can alleviate the challenges involved
in guiding a child through loss, developing a healthy understanding of life.
Nature can also feel therapeutic in
these times of sadness, and some time away exploring the outdoors can provide a
new perspective on the future. Winston’s Wish offers nature walks, where
families can take some time away from their normal routines and spend time
walking and talking through their feelings, or they simply embrace the
tranquility of nature while grieving.
In adulthood, grief can feel far
more constant, but for children, it can be more like a reoccurring feeling.
Winston’s Wish offer nature walks, that can provide a safe, open environment in
which young people can discuss their feelings in a calm setting. This allows
them to process their emotions and develop strong coping mechanisms which will
guide them through life.
Knowing themselves
Children can learn more about how
their body moves by exploring outdoors, whether they are running, jumping or
climbing (safely, of course) they are constantly developing their perception of
their town pace and how they function. In doing so, character development
happens, and they learn to enjoy certain activities. Pace is also an important
aspect of grief, a feeling for which there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach,
so children can determine what works best for them and their own unique
feelings in these difficult scenarios.
From weight control to providing
energy and benefitting our respiratory systems, spending time outdoors can have
a whole host of positive effects on our general sense of wellbeing. Feeling
calm, inspired and safe is all possible in nature, and children should be
encouraged to spend time immersed in natural surroundings from an early age to
promote positivity even in the most challenging of times.
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Created on Aug 6th 2019 02:54. Viewed 640 times.