~
~
outdoors H
Immersing our kids in nature offers a bounty of benefits BY SANDI SCHWARTZ
ave you ever gone on a walk just to clear your mind or taken a “mental health day” from your job to visit the beach, woods, mountains or even a local park? What we all suspected intuitively, science has confirmed: spending time connecting to nature is a safe, effective tool to help minimize the effects of stress and boost mood. It also reduces our response to stress and allows us to recover from tense situations more quickly. Additionally, nature has been shown to improve focus and attention; lower the production of stress hormones like cortisol; and reduce stress-related physical symptoms like high blood pressure, increased heart rate and muscle tension. A growing number of studies over the past few decades from around the world have shown the importance of
10
S O U T H F L O R I D A F A M I LY L I F E
| southfloridafamilylife.com
nature in improving our family’s health and happiness. Examples cover a broad scope, including recreation activities in the wilderness, community gardens, nature art, views of nature, outdoor exercise, nature-related mindfulness and meditation, and contact with animals.
WHY NATURE IS HEALING Nature offers a soothing sensory experience like none other. Listening to birds chirping, breathing in the moist air after a rainstorm and walking barefoot on the warm sand are natural treasures that help improve our mood. Studies show that viewing natural scenery like flowers, green plants and woods leads to more relaxed feelings than looking at images with no nature at all. Colors, continued on page 12