How Nature Helps Kids Through The Pandemic
As the pandemic continues to disrupt our lives, most of us are still sheltered at home with our families. Although we’re doing our best to keep our children physically healthy and up-to-date on schoolwork, mental health may seem less within our reach. Unfortunately, the results of neglecting our children’s mental health can be dire.
After only one month of school closure, 22.6% of kids in a study in China were showing signs of depression. With the possibility of a long, lonely summer ahead of them, anxious parents, and a questionable start to school in the fall, the situation may get even worse.
“Kids of all ages are having a tough time,” said clinical and developmental psychologist Nancy S. Molitor, PhD. “Every adult, if you’re paying attention, has anxiety that’s enhanced right now. And the kids are feeling that.”
With no concrete idea of what the future will look like, it’s important for us to take steps right now to bolster our children’s mental health to help them deal with the uncertain path ahead. Fortunately, there is one simple thing you can do to help with both your own and your children’s mental health.
Go outside!
Research consistently shows that being outdoors has a positive effect on emotions. There have been studies that show that nature can reduce depression, lower stress, and increase our positivity. And the benefits extend far beyond the current Pandemic time. In fact, kids who grow up in nature are happier and more likely to care for the planet.
What is the psychology behind the benefits of nature?
The psychology of the environment works around the following main ideas (Gifford, 2007).
Human dependence on nature validates evolution. We are more adaptive to natural settings than human-made habitats.
Contact with natural light is therapeutic and has immediate positive effects on stress, blood pressure, and immune system.
Strong connections to the environment enhance the person-space idea and increase environmental perception.
Humans are always capable of improving the environment they live in.
Humans are active adapters to changes in society and the environment. They reshape their social identities and affiliations according to the physical space they live in.
What are some ways my kids I can get my kids outside more?
With the ever-present allure of screens, getting kids outside may seem almost impossible. But, there are a number of things you can do to help your children reap the mental health benefits of time spent outdoors.
Go outside yourself! Kids who grow up with nature-loving parents are much more likely to develop a deeper appreciation for the outdoors. However, with homeschooling assistance and work-from-home responsibilities, many parents have limited time right now. When you aren’t able to do a more extensive outdoor activity, consider simply moving your office or classroom outdoors. Just having you nearby is often enough to bring your kids outdoors.
Develop outdoor projects. This may be especially helpful in getting older children outdoors. There are so many online resources available to help you plan an amazing project. Forts, murals, climbing walls, and tire swings are only some of the creative projects your family can tackle. Younger kids may want or need you to be involved in the entire process, while older kids may enjoy the sense of ownership from doing it on their own.
Take a hike! With parks filling up, many people are exploring lesser-known green spaces to safely enjoy the outdoors. Fortunately, there are a lot of great apps that can help you find new places without getting lost on the trails.
Move your online classes outside! With so many great online resources available right now, it’s easy to get stuck inside. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Consider taking a yoga class, listening to storytime, or even playing online Dungeons and Dragons outdoors. The outdoor environment will provide your kids with even more sources of creativity.
Plant a garden! Besides the obvious benefits of fresh produce, gardening has long been known for its therapeutic benefits. This is especially true now when kids may feel that they don’t have much to look forward to. Tending to a plant, watching its growth, and harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables can bring a lot of joy to the whole family. And you don’t need to have a big back yard to benefit from gardening. Research shows that simply having contact with soil has been shown to improve mental health.
Go on a Geocaching adventure! Geocaching turns the whole world into a treasure hunt. Kids (or adults) use their phone (or GPS device) to follow coordinates that lead them to fun treasures hidden in outdoor places. It’s a great way to get more goal-oriented kids to explore new outdoor areas.
Go back to the basics! Sometimes less really is more. Simple things like bubbles, chalk, jump ropes, squirt guns, and wading pools can often be all you need to entice your kids outdoors. Without the peer pressure they often feel with friends, even older kids may enjoy the sense of nostalgia that comes from playing with toys from their youth. And, you don’t even necessarily need toys. Skipping rocks, climbing trees, and sailing homemade boats down a creek are all sweet, simple activities that can keep your kids enjoying all the benefits that nature has to offer.