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 the long summer holidays, as parents we can all benefit from a bit of something to reduce stress and anxiety, as can 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. If the kids are arriving less stressed, less anxious and more able to focus.

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 isn’t something that we are often 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 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. See the list at the bottom of this page for ideas, it doesn’t have to just be going for a walk.

Ideas for Activities:

• Go river paddling or swimming – be careful to identify a safe spot for this.
• Rock-pooling 
• Beach combing – we are particular 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 a evening beach barbeque – just make sure you take some hot chocolate to warm up after the inevitable paddle (see pics below!)
• Get up and enjoy the sunrise – You might want to wait until the end of the holidays for this one as sunrise time will be back to a marginally more socially acceptable time!