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Why spending time outside is important for Children's Mental Health

Studies reveal a link between participation in outdoor activities, and significant improvements in mental, psychological, and emotional wellbeing in children. Here are a few reasons why:

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

When children spend too long sitting still inside a classroom, they can become restless and inattentive. Simply being outside in the fresh air, offers children the chance to relax, reflect and have a break from the routine.

Boosts Confidence and Self-Esteem

By engaging in outdoor activities, challenges and teamwork, children can grow in confidence and self-esteem.

Boosts Mood and Emotion

Serotonin and dopamine are two important chemicals released in the brain known as 'happy chemicals'. They help to regulate mood and emotion and are linked to happiness. Serotonin is released during physical activity, whilst dopamine is released through problem-solving activities or physical challenges. Both serotonin and dopamine help children deal with the stress and challenges that they face in everyday life and reduce the impact that these have on their mental wellbeing.

Increases Vitamin D Exposure

Being outside also means that children are exposed to more direct sunlight. Sunlight allows our bodies to produce vitamin D, which helps release serotonin in the brain. Lack of sufficient time outdoors means that children are at risk from vitamin D deficiency which has been linked to mental illnesses, including depression.

Here at Spotty Otter we are passionate about getting kids outdoors, we would like to encourage you to get outside with your kids. We are sharing our five top tips help you help your children.

1-Go to the Park

The most popular outdoor activity for kids is taking a trip to your local play park, such a fun and child friendly activity for benefiting mental health. Why not make it a little bit more special by taking a picnic or your favourite snacks to enjoy outside.

2-Scavenger hunt

Spending time in nature has been found to help with mental health issues which include anxiety as well as depression. Research into ecotherapy has shown it can help with some cases of depression due to combining physical activity and social contact with being outside in nature. It is always fun teaching kids through fun and games, and one of the best and most fun ways of helping your child develop some much-needed life skills such as problem-solving, reading, building teamwork, and getting some good exercise for both the mind and body is through a scavenger hunt.

You can find a scavenger hunt by signing up to our FREE Nature Club, which is full of fun activities.

3-Go for a ride!

The health benefits a child receives from riding a bike or scootering are endless. Their bones benefit, lungs take in fresh air, arteries, veins, and heart are strengthened and joy-inducing hormones flood the brain, it's so much fun!

4-Watch a sunset

Sunsets help us stay present in the moment; did you know that watching a sunset is a great mindfulness exercise. What is mindfulness? The simple definition is “being present in the moment without judgement.” Even though mindfulness is a bit of a hot trend these days, it is a practice that has been around for centuries, across different cultures. How can watching a sunset become a mindfulness exercise? You must pay attention and be present or you will miss the sunset.

5-Bird Watching

Encouraging children to take an interest in bird watching is a wonderful way of introducing them to wildlife and teaching them about the environment and the importance of nature conservation.

We have some lovely bird watching activities you can download for FREE by joining our Nature club.

Join here

www.spottyotter.co.uk/nature-club/

Place2Be launched the first-ever Children’s Mental Health Week in 2015 to shine a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health. Every year, Place2Be’s expert team develops resources to help people participate in the week. From activity ideas and assembly guides to top tips and videos, our free resources will help you explore mental health and wellbeing with the children and young people around you.

For more information, help and resources please visit their website.

www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/

We hope this gives you some inspiration to get outside this week with your kids and feel better!

Please send us pictures of your happy kids enjoying the great outdoors!