Nature

When you think of cows, what comes to mind? Maybe milk, ice cream, cheese, chewing cud, and eating lots of grass? Well, did you know that spending time with cows can also be comforting to both us and the animals?

A variety of domesticated farm animals are used for therapeutic purposes, and a great deal of research has confirmed how effective this can be for those struggling with emotional and mental health issues. While there are formal therapeutic programs called Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), there are also cutting-edge activities like cow cuddling getting attention these days.

What is Cow Cuddling?

This practice began in the Netherlands and is slowly spreading around the world. Called “koe knuffelen” in Dutch (which means “cow hugging”), it focuses on the healing that results from humans and animals snuggling. While cow cuddling is not considered formal animal therapy since participants are not working towards a specific goal, just sitting with the cows can be extremely therapeutic.

Cow cuddling takes place at a farm in a controlled environment and typically lasts about an hour. (Don’t just try to cuddle a cow on your own without guidance of an expert.) A cow cuddling appointment typically begins with a tour of the farm and learning how best to safely and calmly approach the animals. It is done in very small groups of no more than four people at a time.

A session begins with gently petting the animals. Cows typically lie down in a half circle, which creates a cozy couch-like spot for someone to snuggle up in. Cow cuddlers are welcome to stroke the cow’s belly as they digest their food and chew their cud, and scratch underneath their chin. The cow will literally fold into a person, almost embracing them. Some people will even start talking to the cow during this relaxing moment.

Both adult cows and calves can be cuddled. At Horse and Goat Yoga farm in Drescher, Pennsylvania, visitors are invited to bottle feed and cuddle with calves. The farm rescues these calves from being slaughtered for veal. According to Kristin Sutch who runs the farm, “Calves fall asleep next to people in their arms. They like to snuggle and they love to be around people.” She also explained how therapeutic the experiences is. “It’s great for kids with autism and people with any kind of stress. I find this to be one of the few ways to get people to truly be present.” The baby animals especially have a soothing effect on people. She has seen people transform from miserable and stressed to happy and laughing from some time cozying up with the calves.

At Krishna Cow Sanctuary on the Big Island of Hawaii, they also include milking the cows as part of the experience. People get to taste the fresh, warm milk as well. The entire experience takes about two hours as visitors cuddle with the cows, milk the cows, and learn how to make their own butter and cheese.

Why It Works

Cow cuddling is relaxing, meditative, and allows participants to engage in something special and unique. Most people have never been on the other side of a fence that close to a cow. In fact, many people live in cities and suburbia and rarely get to see or visit a farm, if at all.

It might sound bizarre to think of these large farm animals being comforting, but there are some scientific reasons behind it. When cows are digesting their food, they like to lie down and become very quiet. This is the perfect time for people to snuggle up and connect with them. Plus, cows have a slightly slower heart rate than us, so when our body is in contact with theirs, our heart rate naturally slows down as well. Their body temperature is higher than ours, which also helps us feel more relaxed.

Cow cuddling is also effective because is spurs mindfulness and a sense of awe. It creates an opportunity to be solely focused on touching and being around the animals in a gentle way. It is a great time for people to leave their technology behind and just be in the moment with the impressive animals. There are numerous stories about children who typically can’t focus or sit still being transformed by this experience. They relax and engage in the moment with the animal and all the nature around them.

As a result, our stress level decreases. Many people are craving affection, and this is a way to snuggle and connect with another living creature. It is also part of our history as humans to work with animals, so being with the cows calms and nourishes us.

And don’t worry, studies show that the cows also appreciate this human affection. According to James Higgins of Krishna Cow Sanctuary, the interaction is positive for the cows as well.

Can Children Do It?

You will have to check with the farm because some have age restrictions. For the most part, cows are gentle, sweet, and welcome the loving attention during a cow cuddling session. Of course, make sure there is a cow expert there to monitor your children’s interactions with the cows. Kids love the experience and find petting, snuggling, and milking cows very calming (and fun!).

Where You Can Try Cow Cuddling

Cow cuddling originated in the Netherlands and is pretty popular there. Check out this video all about cow cuddling from a farm in the Netherlands.

If you are looking to try cow cuddling in the United States, here are some farms offering it. Keep searching for places by you as well.

Aimee’s Farm Animal Sanctuary in Queen Creek, Arizona
The Gentle Barn in Santa Clarita, California
Krishna Cow Sanctuary on the Big Island of Hawaii
Mountain Horse Farm in Naples, New York
Sunset View Creamery and Farm in Odessa, New York

Send Your Stories! I have not yet been cow cuddling, although it’s on my list. I would love to hear your stories in the comment below if you have done it.

To learn more about how animals help us feel happier and calmer, check out my book, Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer.

Have you ever become so transfixed by a brightly colored flower or bird? One of my favorite miracles in nature is the bird of paradise flower. The colors are exquisite, and it really does look like a bird.

Nature is filled with beauty, and color plays a huge role in what attracts us to it. Nature’s hues can trigger a sense of awe in us. Some colors make us feel more energetic and happy like yellow, orange, and red. There are incredible combinations of colors in nature that wow us, such as peacocks, parrots, and some types of fish like the emperor angelfish and rainbow parrotfish.

We can also find calm by gazing at nature. In fact, the most calming colors stem from nature. Creams, tans, pale blues, and pale greens help create a quiet atmosphere. According to color psychology experts, blue calms the mind and body, lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration. It also minimizes feelings of anxiety and aggression and creates a sense of well-being. Interestingly enough, blue is overwhelmingly chosen as a favorite color by people around the world. The color green promotes a serene and calming environment and is associated with health, healing, and well-being; soothes the body and mind; and reduces anxiety. Neutral colors—tan, beige, ecru, cream, light brown, taupe, and gray—manifest an organic, earthy feeling.

Mindfulness Color Activities

Color is all around us, but how often do we simply stop to enjoy it? We can tap into the many colors found in nature to practice mindfulness. We just need to open our eyes and soak in the gorgeous shades of nature.

Here are some simple ways for your family to be more mindful by enjoying nature’s colors:

• Go on a walk or bike ride and take time to look at and discuss the attractive colors you find all around in nature.
• Visit a garden or flower shop and soak in the beauty of the colorful flowers and plants.
• Observe the many colorful foods in your vegetable garden, at the grocery store, or right inside your refrigerator.
• Draw or paint a picture of a vivid nature scene.
• Focus on the colors around you as you relax in your sit spot.

Nature Color Meditation

You can also practice meditation using color. I once took a restorative yoga class in which the teacher led us in a beautiful, relaxing color meditation. She asked us to envision natural dust in different shades that coordinated with our chakras.

According to the Chopra Center, Chakra is a sanskrit word that refers to the wheels of energy throughout the body. There are seven chakras from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. To give you a sense, purple is for the top of our head, green is for our heart, and red is for our root or the bottom of our body.

During that meditation, I became totally lost in the visuals within my mind. She asked us to sense the smell and temperature of each color. Red felt warm to me and yellow smelled like lemons.

Here are five ways to bring nature’s colors into your family’s meditation time:

• Practice the nature lovingkindness meditation by focusing specifically on the colors of the natural elements where you are sending your love.
• Think how each color corresponds to a fruit and how that fruit tastes, smells, and feels.
• Visually paint or draw a picture in your mind using a variety of colors. Try painting a rainbow or a nature scene with a yellow sun, green tree, blue pond, etc.
• Link each color to a flower and imagine smelling each one. What does a red rose or a yellow sunflower smell like? You could enhance this practice by using essential oils.
• Try the Rainbow Breath meditation, which asks us to breathe in each color and provides an emotion to feel along with each one.

What other ideas do you have for using nature’s colors to practice mindfulness?

Are your kids struggling? If so, they are certainly not alone.

Even before the pandemic, kids and teens were experiencing higher rates of stress, anxiety, and depression than in prior generations. Many are super stressed in this 24/7 pressure-cooker culture.

From too much screen time, to navigating social media, to obsessing over grades and extracurricular activity overload, kids face a number of challenges that can trigger emotional issues. Then add Covid-19, racial tensions, and shootings, and our kids are constantly on edge as their sense of safety and security is challenged on a daily basis.

We know that all these stressors are taking a toll on our children. In fact, child and adolescent mental health disorders are the most common illnesses that children will experience under the age of eighteen. Each year one in five American children ages three through seventeen (over fifteen million children) are diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Over 17 million young people in the US will have a mental health disorder by age 18. That’s more than the number with AIDS, asthma, diabetes, and cancer combined, Child Mind Institute notes.

And, of course, this continues to get worse with Covid. According to a recent study by Child Mind Institute, more than two-thirds of parents who sought help since the start of the pandemic said they had witnessed a decline in their child’s emotional well-being (72%), behavior (68%), and physical health due to decreased activities and exercise (68%). Anxiety (40%) and depression (37%) are the most common mental health challenges leading parents to seeking help for their child.

How Nature Can Help

Have 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, or local park? Or maybe you enjoyed closing your eyes and listening to a recording of ocean waves or birds chirping?

Spending time connecting to nature is a safe, effective tool to help minimize the effects of stress and to boost mood. Tons of scientific research over the past few decades show the importance of nature in improving our health and happiness. These studies cover a wide range of topics that we also cover here: green exercise, gardening, nature-related mindfulness and meditation, volunteering outdoors, nature art, contact with animals, and more.

Nature is one piece of the puzzle. There are a number of ways to address stress and anxiety in children including therapy, medication, and natural remedies. If your child is suffering from a serious anxiety or depression disorder, I recommend that you seek help from a trained medical professional. While nature can have a profound positive effect on our mood and stress level, it is not a substitute for professional guidance and medication if needed.

On the other hand, nature can help manage stress before it gets too serious. It can also be very effective in addition to therapy and other approaches to ease mental health challenges. Indeed, nature is a powerful tool to keep in our toolbox.

A New Project

After experiencing how nature helps me better manage my stress and anxiety, I decided I wanted to share this special tool with others. I especially want children to have nature tools in mind when they are feeling anxious or down.

Nearly six years ago, I launched my blog Happy Science Mom to help parents raise happy, balanced children by using a science-backed toolkit based on positive psychology. During those years, I researched and wrote extensively about broad topics like mindfulness, kindness, and gratitude.

But I kept coming back to my roots–a strong passion for the environment. Now, I am focusing on many of those same positive psychology tools through a nature lens. Hence, the Ecohappiness Project is born!

What is ecohappiness? It is about connecting to nature to feel happier and calmer. On a deeper level, it involves realizing how important nature is to our well-being so we do what we can to protect it.

This transition is so exciting, and I am thrilled to share it all with you! I have a new logo, and some really cool gear to showcase it.

Check out my new 100% certified organic cotton Ecohappiness Project t-shirt gifted to me by Rush Order Tees. This is a wonderful way to spread the critical message of how nature can help children’s mental health. I hope you’ll join me by sharing the valuable information you find here with your friends and joining in the conversation in my special Facebook group Stress Relief with Nature.

Earlier this month, my children and I spent an afternoon at a local park helping the science community by taking pictures of local plants and animals. We used the Seek app by iNaturalist (a joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society) to explore the variety of species in the park. And, I have to say, my kids were so engaged in this activity and they didn’t want to go home. They found it so fascinating that the app would identify for them the details about a plant or animal just by taking a picture of it.

This experience opened our eyes to notice new flowers, leaves, trees, and wildlife around us that we may have missed before. The app also makes it fun for kids because they can earn badges for recording more observations of different types of species and participate in special challenges. Not only does iNaturalist help kids learn how to identify wildlife and plants and encourage them to spend more time outside, but they are also helping experts collect data through citizen science.

What is Citizen Science?

According to the Oxford Dictionary, citizen science is “the collection and analysis of data relating to the natural world by members of the general public, typically as part of a collaborative project with professional scientists.” Citizen science involves volunteering to collect scientific data and is a way for our children to gain science experience and directly help the scientific community.

Through citizen science, government offices and other organizations engage the public in addressing societal needs and accelerating science, technology, and innovation. With citizen science, we can play a role in the scientific process to help address real-world problems like climate change and biodiversity.

Volunteers have varying levels of expertise, from kids in their backyards to members of high school science clubs to amateur astronomers with sophisticated home equipment. Technology like apps make citizen science more accessible today than ever before. Projects typically involve volunteers collecting data like counting the number of a certain type of bird they see in their neighborhood or taking pictures and submitting them through an app like iNaturalist.

One of the oldest examples of citizen science is the Christmas Bird Count sponsored by the National Audubon Society. Since 1900, the organization has organized the bird count that runs from December 14 through January 5 each year. An experienced birder leads a group (called a circle) of volunteers as they collect information about local populations of birds. More than 2,000 such circles operate across the United States and Canada. This wildlife census contributes to bird conservation efforts.

Benefits of Citizen Science

Although most people don’t realize it, citizen science can help us feel happier and calmer for several reasons. Most citizen science projects take place outdoors. We know that spending time outside around nature can help reduce stress and boost our mood. When we are engaged in a project to take pictures or count a specific type of plant or animal, we become very focused and lost in the moment. Therefore, citizen science can stimulate mindfulness, which also has been shown to tremendously improve well-being. Finally, volunteering, especially outdoors in nature, helps us feel better as we give back to others and our community.

According to researchers Karen Makuch and Miriam Aczel, citizen science projects can benefit both the physical and mental development of children, and lead to increased levels of environmental stewardship and protection. They explain that part of this results from children being part of a team and community, having a purpose and role, and being involved in a structured activity when working on citizen science projects. These experiences tend to boost self-confidence, advance self-efficacy, and improve mental health in general.

Overall, citizen science projects that provide an avenue for children to connect with nature lead to many educational, psychological, and personal benefits. Seeking out citizen science projects in your community can help both your children and the planet thrive.

Where to Find Citizen Science Opportunities

There are citizen science opportunities for kids of all ages and levels. Your family can get involved from your own backyard or through a more organized group like a school nature or science club. Besides the national programs included below, you can check with your county or state Department of Natural Resources for ways to get involved.

Databases:

• CitizenScience.gov: This searchable database provides a government-wide listing of citizen science projects.
• SciStarter: Provides a database of more than 3,000 vetted projects and events searchable by location, topic, interest, and more.
• Zooniverse: The world’s largest and most popular platform for people-powered volunteer research.

Projects:

• Audubon Christmas Bird Count: Initiated in 1900, this is the nation’s longest-running citizen science bird project. The bird count runs from December 14 through January 5 each year.
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology: It has several bird-related citizen science programs including NestWatch, Project FeederWatch, and Great Backyard Bird Count.
• Monarch Watch from University of Kansas: Involves tagging and tracking migrating monarch butterflies during their annual North American migration.
• National Geographic BioBlitz: This event focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time to get a snapshot of biodiversity.
• Project Budburst: With climate change being its focus, this project involves monitoring the leafing, flowering, and fruiting of plants.

Citizen Science Month takes place every April. Check out these amazing resources all year long.

What citizen science projects have you done?

Nature lovers and environmentalists come in all shapes and sizes. While there is a robust homesteader movement to get back on the farm and work on activities like raising chickens and growing one’s own food, I am admittedly a suburban environmentalist through and through.

I have only ever lived in suburbia, by the beach, or in a city, so my interactions with farms and farm animals are pretty minimal. As a child, they were mostly during special events like my father’s company picnics. I remember riding ponies, enjoying hay rides, and participating in potato sack races out on the farm. Over the years, we have visited farms to pick berries. I also remember how amazing it was to tour a pineapple farm in Hawaii during my honeymoon.

Just in the past year, I have picked up a box a fresh produce from a local farm and taken the kids to a pumpkin patch on a farm and an orchard to pick apples. As far as interacting with farm animals, I have gone horseback riding several times and recall volunteering at an agricultural fair in Maryland several years ago where I was around the most farm animals I have ever seen in one place—sheep, goats, pigs, and cows galore.

What I never realized until recently, however, is how beneficial farm animals can be to our well-being. A variety of domesticated farm animals can be used for therapeutic purposes, and research has confirmed their effectiveness to help those struggling with emotional and mental health issues. While  children and adults who need help can take part in Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), everyone can benefit from time with farm animals.

What is Animal-Assisted Therapy?

AAT is a type of therapy that utilizes animals to help heal and rehabilitate patients. Specific goals are outlined for treatment so that progress is clear. These goals can be physical, mental, emotional, and/or social.

Using AAT is considered beneficial since the animals have a natural tendency to create a bond with people. This approach often helps therapists overcome some limitations of traditional therapy that rely on talking, which may not be the most effective way for children and adolescents to address their issues. Essentially, the therapist communicates with patients through the animal, reducing pressure for them to talk about their feelings.

Common Therapeutic Farm Animals

The most common therapeutic farm animals are horses, goats, and cows.

Horses

Horses are widely recognized for their therapeutic benefits, including helping children cope with emotional challenges like anxiety and depression. Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) involves using a horse as a therapeutic tool in which a licensed therapist and a horse professional work collaboratively with the children. Horses tend to have a non-judgmental nature, which helps create a relaxing environment. Having a horse around offers both emotional and physical comfort, thereby developing trust and confidence between the patient and therapist.

During EAP, a variety of activities can have a positive impact on a patient. Caring for the animal by feeding and brushing it can be quite soothing and builds confidence and patience in the child. Learning to ride a horse has tremendous benefits, such as figuring out how to calm oneself down, building focus and mindfulness, and working collaboratively with the animal. The physical contact with the horse and the rhythmic movement while riding can also be relaxing.

Goats

Goats are another type of animal that can help relieve stress. More farms are now offering goat snuggling to the public. Many people are finding that holding and feeding a baby goat can be calming. Visitors often go from feeling miserable to blissful—even laughing—after their time with the goats. Since most people do not live near a farm anymore, this gives them a chance to connect with the farm animals that are unique to them. It helps them feel more energetic and better emotionally overall.

There is also a physical change that occurs. When they look at, hold, and snuggle with the baby goats, oxytocin is released. This feel-good hormone acts as natural mood booster and pain reliever. Finally, being in the moment with these animals allows people to be mindful, which we know improves well-being.

Children especially love to spend time with goats, just staring at and petting them. It helps them feel calm from developing a special connection with the animals. Plus, the animals themselves love being around people and getting the attention.

Cows

Cows are another type of farm animal used for comfort. Believe it or not, college students at Michigan State University pay money every semester to brush the school’s dairy cows to reduce stress before finals because they find the quality time with the animals very soothing.

Cow cuddling, which can involve milking and/or cozying up to a cow, is an innovative experience gaining traction with several farms now offering the experience. It might sound bizarre to think of these large farm animals being comforting, but there is science behind it. When cows digest their food, they like to lie down, and they become very quiet. This is the perfect time for people to snuggle up and connect with them. Plus, cows have a slightly slower heart rate than us, so when our body is in contact with theirs, our heart rate naturally slows down as well. Their body temperature is also higher than ours, which helps us feel more relaxed.

Cows typically lie down in a half circle, which creates a cozy couch-like spot for someone to snuggle up in. Cow cuddlers like to stroke the cow’s belly as they digest their food and chew their cud, and scratch underneath their chin. The cow will literally fold into a person, almost embracing them. Some people will even start talking to the cow during this relaxing, mindful experience.

Finding a Therapeutic Experience

While there are several therapeutic farms focused on helping individuals with mental health issues, there are also some for the general public to visit for a fun, relaxing experience. Happi Farm in Florida, for example, has a variety of activities for children such as therapeutic horseback riding; equine activities like feeding and grooming horses; and a petting zoo where they can pet, feed, brush and/or hold the animals. Simply search online for places in your area offering goat snuggling, horseback riding, horse grooming, cow cuddling, and similar activities for your family to enjoy.

When we are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, it can be tremendously helpful to slow down and focus on what is happening in the present moment. This is called mindfulness. Being “in the now” teaches us how to be less reactive to negative thoughts and emotions and brings more peace, ease, and balance to our lives. It also helps us accept what is happening without thinking about whether it is right or wrong, good or bad. This ultimately empowers us to feel more in control of our thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations.

Science shows the incredible impact mindfulness can have on our lives by helping to reduce stress and anxiety and increase attention and focus. By redirecting our attention towards something that relaxes us, we can change the way we respond to and interact with the world around us. This can reduce stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions that impact our lives.

Nature is a simple way for us to find mindfulness. Can’t you just get lost in the moment when staring at a gorgeous sunset, rainbow, or the dancing ocean waves? Nature fills us with so much curiosity, awe, and pleasure that it helps us feel a deep sense of stillness and peace, easing our overactive minds.

Benefits of Lovingkindness Meditation

One type of meditation that can help us feel more mindful is the lovingkindness meditation. Also called Metta or compassion meditation, it is one of the most commonly practiced types of meditations out there. Quite simply, it is the practice of directing positive thoughts and well wishes to ourselves and others.

Practicing lovingkindness meditation can cause us to feel less isolated and more connected to the world around us as we shift the way we view ourselves and others to kindness instead of negativity. The meditation actually leads to positive changes in the brain, bringing benefits such as reducing stress and anxiety and lifting our mood. Just as performing acts of kindness gives us a natural high, sitting and practicing lovingkindness meditation can cause the same positive changes in our bodies and minds.

Like other types of meditation, lovingkindness meditation brings so many amazing benefits to our lives such as:

• • Reducing stress and anxiety
  • Lifting our mood and producing more positive emotions
  • Increasing feelings of hope
  • Decreasing physical and emotional pain
  • Reducing anger
  • Increasing positive social emotions toward new people as well as loved ones
  • Activating empathy
  • Improving social connection
  • Increasing self-love and how we feel about ourselves

Nature Lovingkindness Meditation For Kids

After learning about all the benefits, don’t you just want to share some lovingkindness with your kids right now? We can tweak the traditional lovingkindness meditation practice by sending love and kindness specifically to nature. Ask your children to sit comfortably with their eyes closed, imagining what they wish for in that moment. The four phrases that they can either say out loud or think silently during the practice are typically:

May I/you be safe.

May I/you be healthy and strong.

May I/you be happy.

May I/you be peaceful and at ease.

Have them repeat these wishes, first directing them to themselves and then toward different aspects of nature like a tree, butterfly, or animal. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Start by directing the phrases to yourself.
2. Next, direct the Metta towards something in nature you feel thankful for. (Example: pandas)
3. Now visualize something in nature you feel neutral about—you neither like nor dislike. Direct the thoughts to that object. (Example: grass)
4. Next, direct the thoughts to something in nature you do not like. (Example: spiders)
5. Finally, direct the Metta towards the entire planet: May all beings everywhere be safe…

By practicing lovingkindness meditation directed towards nature, our children will feel happier and more connected to their natural environment and more relaxed as a result of focusing on something beautiful, awe-inspiring, and positive.

The great outdoors is the perfect place for children to learn and prosper. Spending time outdoors in nature can boost health and well-being as well as benefiting fundamental cognitive ability, according to a 2019 study published by Nature Research Scientific Journals. For children living with additional needs, safe access to this stimulation can be a crucial boost to their development. It can not only enhance their education, but also their ability to manage stress and anxiety.

The Therapeutic Impact

Outdoor play and learning can be beneficial for children in a therapeutic sense. A good example of the therapeutic impact of outdoor exploration concerns individuals with ataxic cerebral palsy, also known as ataxic CP. As a form of physical and cognitive therapy, simply being outdoors and undertaking exercise and play can be beneficial to managing symptoms of this condition. Indeed, a systematic review of exercise interventions for ataxic conditions, conducted in 2019 by Alder Hey University Hospital, found that there are promising links between outdoor exercise and the long-term symptoms of a condition like ataxic CP.

Making Environments Safe

It is important to help children with additional needs get outside and explore nature safely. First, be sure to address mobility needs. Natural areas can be somewhat treacherous with rocks, hills, and mud. Ensure that the area you are visiting has full mobility access, such as terrain that anyone can pass through easily, and that it has full wheelchair access.

There is also the matter of cognitive and mental safety. Many children with additional needs prefer quiet, safe spaces where they can learn and play. As a result, make sure there is a dedicated area where the children can safely learn and explore without having the stress or anxiety from distractions.

Science and the Outdoors

Learning about nature and science is one of the best ways to provide a great education for kids with additional needs. Many of the best scientific tasks and challenges for kids are slow and methodical, requiring a level of patience and understanding. For children with additional needs who may need support when moving around while playing and learning, these slower, more methodical tasks are ideal for developing good habits and making the most of nature.

These lessons can be crucially important in helping children living with additional needs to develop to their fullest potential. One study found that the hands-on learning that scientific pursuits bring can help stimulate children with special needs. Put simply, being outdoors and creatively engaging with nature can boost academic success.

Getting creative

The great outdoors can also be used as a platform for sharing new teaching methods. The Guardian reported in 2016 that schools used a ‘reading garden’ to help nurture children with additional needs. By hanging books about science and nature from trees, the children were more engaged and excited about the material. You can also look to nature to provide inspiration for activities. Simple games like nature scavenger hunts and nature walks can be really helpful in building the children’s confidence and cognitive ability.

In essence, nature can provide so many positives to children with additional needs. Be sure to consider their preferences and needs while encouraging outdoor activity and exploration. Their time outside in nature can have a complementary impact on the therapy and treatment that children with additional needs often receive.

Guiding your children to learn and grow is a crucial part of helping them live an independent life full of success. There are many places that can assist you in doing this. For instance, CDS Life Transitions has some amazing tools available and they have developmental services that help people with disabilities live independent and fulfilling lives.

Nature-based therapies may provide children with disabilities the skills and confidence necessary for learning and growth. Many of these therapies have been around for years, and they are still effective even with the addition of new procedures and approaches.

Here are some of the most popular nature-based therapies for kids with disabilities that can help them grow and develop in positive ways.

Animal Therapy

Animal therapy, also called Animal Assisted Therapies (AAT), involves using animals as a source of healing. Dogs, cats, horses, and birds are commonly used to provide patients with a sense of well-being and relaxation.

AAT is mostly used to support children through various emotional, social, and physical developmental milestones. Some programs include lessons on how to care for a pet as well as developing skills to help children with disabilities cope with everyday life. These lessons will help a child understand the basic functions of a pet, such as feeding, walking, and sleeping. Therapists bring in animals to interact with children and may help develop respect and understanding. The end result is a child who is more confident and with a greater sense of independence.

Horticultural Therapy

The American Horticultural Society defines horticulture therapy as an activity that engages a qualified practitioner in plant-based therapies and physical activities to achieve a certain therapeutic goal in an environment that’s specifically intended to support a therapeutic experience. These goals may include the reduction of pain, anxiety, or stress. It also helps enhance self-esteem, achieve relaxation, improve balance and coordination, and promote healthy eating choices. This type of therapy is intended to be a beneficial form of complementary care, helping people with a variety of conditions to maintain, strengthen, and restore health to their lives.

Care Farms

Care farms entail eco-friendly, medicinal, or therapeutic farm practices to provide health, education, or social care services to a wide range of individuals with disabilities or health issues. The aim of these programs is to give individuals with disabilities a fulfilling and healthy experience on a farm that promotes family interaction, good nutrition, and the development of healthy relationships.

Green Exercise

Green exercise refers to an active physical activity undertaken outside in our natural environment. It can be as simple as going for a stroll, jogging through the park, or biking along your local streets. Green exercise can enhance both physical and mental health. Furthermore, it also builds a sense of well-being by making people feel happier and calmer, which is important when it comes to everyday life. Exercise can also make you more alert and improve your strength, memory, concentration, and posture.

Visit a Restorative Environment

Restorative environments provide healing to people suffering from various physical conditions, mental disorders, and emotional illnesses. Through careful observation of natural processes and environments, people have learned how to create restorative places that promote healing. People who are placed in nature-based restorative environments like a garden or forest may have an improved quality of life. The restorative environment has been proven effective in many areas of mental, physical, and emotional health.

There are many types of nature-based therapies for children with disabilities, all of which have a great deal to offer. If used correctly with the guidance of experts, they can be very beneficial. These types of treatments can help children with disabilities gain more self-esteem and confidence, and feel happier and calmer. If you feel that your child may benefit from nature-based therapies, make sure to talk to your child’s doctor about the best ones for your family. This may be the solution you have been looking for to help your child thrive.

There is an increasing number of children suffering from stress and anxiety in today’s busy world. This comes from a range of different factors, including pressures from school and social expectations that they face from day to day, not to mention the current global pandemic. Studies have shown that one in five children will suffer some kind of mental health problem.

A fantastic way to help kids relax and enjoy themselves more is to provide a constructive and interactive outdoor space. In this post, we’ll explore how playing outside can help reduce stress and anxiety.

 

 

Why Kids Are Anxious

There are multiple reasons for a child to feel anxious and stressed. Here are few of the core reasons that could be causing it:

• Separation: Younger children can feel scared when separated from parents or other caretakers.
• Phobias: Many children can develop a phobia at a young age that heightens their anxiety, such as being afraid of heights or the dark.
• Social settings: Kids can feel shy and anxious in certain social settings or when entering a new environment or meeting new people.
• Major change: If a large life change has happened, such as moving to a new house, a child can become stressed as they try to adapt.

These are just a few reasons, but there are many more. Also keep in mind that stress and anxiety can be brought on with no specific cause at all. Every child’s mental health is unique to them, which is why playing outside can be such an important element in their lives.

Mental Health and Outdoor Play

Research has shown that there are many benefits of outdoor active play when it comes to mental health. Fresh air is one of the best ways to reduce the hormones commonly associated with the feelings of anxiety. Outdoor play replaces this hormone with beneficial ones, such as serotonin and oxytocin, which help children feel calmer and happier. Also, spending time outdoors in nature reduces our kids’ response to stress and allows them to recover from stressful situations more quickly.

Keep in mind that sometimes a loss of control can cause children to feel worried and anxious. If you think this could be the case, try being involved in the activity that your children are doing outside. This can help reduce their worry and strengthen relationships.

Active Play Ideas

There are a wide range of active play options available to help reduce stress and anxiety in children. Here are a few you may want to consider:

• Swing sets and play sets: There are a number of play set ideas that you can incorporate into your backyard. This could be a simple swing frame to more advanced setups like monkey bars.
• Bikes and scooters: Bikes for kids or push scooters are a great way to promote active play and allow kids to socialize with friends by exploring new areas.
• Musical instruments: Encourage children to express themselves by providing musical instruments such as drums, cymbals, and bells.
• Gym equipment: Get kids moving with small weights, jump ropes, and stretching bands.
• Sand and water play: Let kids experience different textures with sand and water.
• Activity boards: This could include items like chalkboards where kids can write and draw or other mounted games on the wall.

Don’t forget to spend time with your children outdoors. It can make them feel more comfortable and relaxed so they can properly enjoy themselves. And you will benefit, too!

There are many situations that can cause worry and negative feelings for children, but as you can see, there are numerous outdoor active play ideas that can improve well-being. It’s essential that you support your children by encouraging them to get outside and offering useful equipment and a positive space for them to play freely.

How does playing outside help relax your kids?