The Self Care Series: The Benefits of Nature

Yes,

I know that the weather hasn’t been great, but there are some really good, scientifically proven reasons, to plan to spend more time out and about in nature. Fancy a quick route to a change of mood for yourself and the kids? Read on…

What Does the Research Say?

If Einstein said it, then I think we can assume that the idea that exposure to nature is beneficial is not new. But as we navigate our busy lives, it can be easy to lose sight of this.

Research has shown that nature has a profound impact on human mood and attention, making it an essential part of our well-being.

Studies have found that spending time in natural surroundings, such as parks, forests, and beaches, can promote positive feelings and reduce stress and anxiety levels. As we navigate our busy lives as parents we benefit from a bit of something to reduce stress and anxiety, as do our children.

We know that concerns about children’s mental health and wellbeing are on the increase. Anything that we can build into our daily lives that can help to boost mood and reduce anxiety can only help in the long term. By spending time in nature, kids can find a healthy way to unwind and recharge, improving their overall mood and well-being.

In addition to the positive impact on mood, nature has also been shown to improve cognitive function, including attention and memory. One study tested attention to a task following a walk in nature vs a walk in an urban environment. It was found that attention was significantly improved following the nature walk but not the urban walk. This really highlights the benefits to our brain functioning of getting out into nature more.

For me that knowledge really helps me see the benefits of a walk to school rather than the car. Children arriving at school less stressed, less anxious and more able to focus has to be a priority.

Research has also found that spending time in nature can also reduce negative self-talk and rumination, which are repetitive and negative thinking patterns that are often associated with depression and anxiety.

Negative self talk is something that I often focus on during 1-1 therapy with children but it might be something that we are not that conscious of as parents. Negative self-talk feeds anxiety. Finding ways to make the voice in our head more positive has clear benefits to self-esteem, confidence and long-term resilience in children (and adults).

What Can You Do About It?

Despite the clear benefits of nature on mood and attention, many children today are disconnected from the natural world. With the rise of technology and indoor activities, many kids spend less time outside than previous generations.

It’s easy to see why. If we offer our children a trip to the trampoline park or a walk by the river they are probably going to say the trampoline park. Parental guilt comes into play too. As busy parents we want to give the kids a treat when we have the chance, so we opt for the bright, shiny indoor activity over the more low-key outdoor activity.

Of course there is a place for these activities (who doesn’t love a good bounce?!) but if we can understand better the benefits of time spent in nature we can shift our own perceptions so that we stop seeing it as second best.

I’m not saying that the kids won’t kick up a fuss initially. Be creative and be prepared, think of some games you can play along the way, create your own adventure, and obviously take some good snacks.

Ideas for Activities:

I’m very lucky that where I live, close to Newcastle, there are opportunities for all the activities below. But if that isn’t your reality think about what you can do, all cities have parks, nature reserves, city farms, so get creative and adventurous and see what you can find. I discovered a whole new green area of Newcastle, just outside the city centre just the other day.

Go river paddling or swimming – be careful to identify a safe spot for this.
Rock-pooling
Beach combing – we are big fans of a good sea glass hunt in my house!
Check out your local parks, country parks, and nature reserves
Camping – even if it’s just in your garden!
Enjoy an evening beach barbeque – just make sure you take some hot chocolate to warm up after the inevitable paddle (see pics below!)
Get early up and enjoy the sunrise

What About Self Care?

A solitary walk can provide the peace you need at the end of the day or the time you need to set yourself up at the start of the day. I get up and hour before the rest of my house and that is when I walk the dog. It’s so peaceful and I find it so much easier to feel connected with nature at this time of day.

Knowing more about the research into the impact of nature has helped me to really get the full benefits of this time. I am conscious of how I use the time. I might listen to music or a podcast but more often than not I just enjoy the quiet and let my mind wander, it’s when I do my best thinking and planning.

Think about how you can build some outdoors time into your day or increase the mental health benefits of the time you do spend outdoors.

In my next few posts I’ll be further focusing on research on wellness which could help you to think about what works best for you. For some it will be a solitary walk, for others there may be greater benefits to walking with friends, or organising your lunch break to eat outside. It’s about figuring out what fits best into your life.

Further Information

If you are struggling with your own mood, if you feel you need some parenting support or if you have specific worries about your children’s emotional or mental health please give me a call or email me to request a call back. There is no obligation and we can have a chat about what support I can offer.

If you want further information about the studies mentioned in this article or some book or podcast recommendations please email.

Jo Atkinson – NLP4kids Therapist and Parenting Coach

newcastlechildtherapy.nlp4kids.org