Page 10 · Richmond Review
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
community
Being outside is good for your health We need to spend time in nature more than ever before by Kate Dawson and Emily Vera
W
hen the alarm goes off and you awake to the sound of raindrops landing heavily on your roof, your first instinct may be to pull the covers right up under your chin and stay snuggled safely in bed.
Jacqueline Langen file photo Early childhood educators Emily Vera (left) and Kate Dawson at the Terra Nova Nature School.
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For many of us, a rainy day invites feelings of hibernation, a day to be shared with a mug of hot chocolate and Netflix for company. But if you can muster the impetus to pull on your Gore-Tex jacket and rainboots, you may just form a habit that your mind and body will appreciate for years to come. Research published in the American Journal of Health Education tells us that the benefits of being outdoors include reduced stress, blood pressure, heart rate and muscle tension, as well as elevated mood. As educators at Terra Nova Nature School, we have enjoyed being outside for several hours each and every day this school year. Despite any initial misgivings about inclement weather, we have discovered moments of beauty that lift our spirits even on the rainiest of days–water droplets captured on spider webs, the dayglo colours of garden vegetables in the mist, children delighting in puddles– rainy days can indeed be magical. Whatever the weather, being outdoors is good for body and soul. Being outdoors, one literally has room to breathe, to be beyond the confines of our man-made built spaces. As one Nature School parent says of her daughter’s experiences, “being outside has given my child the space to grow into herself. It’s given her the freedom and independence to explore, learn and take ownership of the world around her.” And we need time in nature more than ever before. Richard Louv has become well-known and respected for his work defining nature-deficit disorder, which suggests that children benefit from having direct experiences with the natural environment. Many parents would agree with the perspective of this mother, who shares that “technology and scheduled activities are excellent, but can cause people to feel rushed and anxious. Spending time outdoors relieves stress and promotes calmness and gratitude.” From our experiences this year, we have observed firsthand that spending more time outdoors leads to a sense of health and wellbeing not only for ourselves and the children in our care, but also for their families. When children want to be outdoors, adults will follow. We have noticed many parents and grandparents walking the pathways at Terra Nova Rural Park while their child or grandchild is enrolled in preschool. In addition to Terra Nova Rural Park, Richmond has an abundance of walking trails and parks that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. (For more information on Richmond’s Parks, Trails and Cycling routes see www.richmond.ca/parks/ about/ptcoverview.htm. Children agree that being outside is good for their health. On being outdoors, Olina, 5 years old, says “It makes me feel happy, but a little tired in my back. And then my heart feels full, full of the flowers.” So even, and maybe especially, if the forecast calls for rain, just get out there and enjoy some fresh air and greenery. Your body, and mind, will feel restored. Kate Dawson and Emily Vera are the lead Educators at Terra Nova Nature School located in Terra Nova Rural Park. Terra Nova Nature School offers a preschool program that is jointly operated by the Thompson Community Association, the City of Richmond, and Richmond Schoolyard Society. Kate and Emily love to spend their time observing slugs and collecting rocks with young children in Terra Nova Rural Park. For more information, see www.terranovanatureschool.com.
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•To learn more about healthy activities, check out Richmond’s Move for Health Week, May 4-8. See www.richmond.ca/ moveforhealth for more info.