Nature

Traveling with our family gives us the opportunity to see new places and enjoy our surroundings. We can also utilize that dull time while traveling to our destination by seeking ways to connect to nature.

Whether you are driving in your family car (and I sure encourage you to choose a hybrid or electric car to help cut down on your carbon footprint) or taking public transportation options like a bus or train, your children can take in the beauty of nature from the back seat. (Warning: drivers may not be able to take in the scenery as much as the passengers–safety first!).

 

Benefits of Experiencing Nature

Giving our children the chance to soak in nature’s beauty during a road trip is especially important these days as children suffer from nature-deficit disorder. This term was coined by Richard Louv, author of the book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder and co-founder of the Children & Nature Network (C&NN). It refers to children having less experience with and connection to nature over the last couple of decades. Unfortunately, children spending less time outdoors has been linked to decreased appreciation of our environment, health problems including childhood obesity and vitamin D deficiency, diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of emotional illnesses like anxiety and depression.

On the other hand, a growing number of studies from around the world show that spending time in nature can have a profound impact on our mood and behavior, helping us to reduce stress and anxiety and to increase our attention, creativity, and our ability to connect with others. In an article on the Greater Good Science Center’s website, researcher David Strayer of the University of Utah explains that “Now we are seeing changes in the brain and changes in the body that suggest we are physically and mentally more healthy when we are interacting with nature.”

One study indicated that hospital patients can reap the benefits of nature even just by observing natural scenes from their hospitals window. This idea can be translated to when you’re on the road; therefore, we can also feel better by enjoying nature from a car, bus, or train window.

Ways Children Can Enjoy Nature During A Road Trip

We have so many fun ways to expose our children to the beauty of nature while we are traveling from place to place either in our car or when using public transportation options like a bus or train.

Take a Scenic Trip

Look for local spots to drive to or plan vacations around areas you would like to explore. Some ideas include farms, drive-through zoos or safaris, tree-lined paths, and coastal roads. This country is packed with so many gorgeous places to explore from the Road to Hana in Hawaii to the Grand Canyon in Arizona to Mount St. Helens and the surrounding snow-covered mountains in Washington State. For more ideas, check out America’s most scenic roads to view exquisite nature put together by Travel and Leisure Magazine.

Another great resource to use when planning your next drive is www.myscenicdrives.com, which offers a free Road Trip Planner and Scenic Drive Finder. You can look up nature-filled drives to take in each state that you can use to plan day trips, weekend getaways, or cross-country adventures. Each pre-planned scenic drive features an overview, interactive map, and GPS directions. It also highlights recreational activities and places of historic and cultural interest to visit in the area. Check out these tips on how to save on your family’s summer outings.

Play The Cloud Imagination Game

I always find it so fascinating to stare at fluffy white clouds and observe the amazing images that appear in the sky. Ask your children what they see in the clouds, such as animals, shapes, people, or other objects. Take it one step further and challenge them to create a story about the cloud images.

Watch For Wildlife

Have your children keep an eye out for wildlife. If you are traveling in a rural area, you can spot cows, horses, and sheep. If you are in a coastal area, look for birds like seagulls. In wooded areas you can find squirrels, deer, skunks, and raccoons. You can even look for animals in your local neighborhood, such as squirrels, rabbits, and a variety of birds. Keep your kids busy and engaged with a collection of camping themed printables for your family’s next road trip

Find Flowers And Trees

Ask your children to keep a look out for different kinds of flowers and trees that they see during the drive. Colorful gardens can be a real source of peace, and can be found in all types of communities. You can make a game out of searching for flowers and trees by asking questions like: Who can find the tallest tree? Who sees the most colorful garden? Can you name that flower or tree? Feel free to bring a nature guidebook on the drive to look up what they discover.

Soak In A Sunset

What is more inspiring than a golden sunset? Time your drive when the sun is setting and point it out to your children. Have your children describe the colors and how the sky is changing as the day slowly ends. Add excitement with a countdown or contest to see who can guess how long it will take for the sun to disappear. Capture the moment by taking a photograph and then see if your children can recreate the sunset by drawing or painting it. I highly recommend catching a sunset as you drive along the coast.

Gaze At The Evening Sky

I remember driving home at night from my grandmother’s house many times as a child and being awestruck as I looked up at the moon and stars in the sky. The night sky provides us with a sense of awe and makes us think about the infinite possibilities of our universe. See if your children can spot any planets or name the constellations. A really simple game is to have your young children count the stars and see who can find the most.

Play Car Nature Bingo

The National Wildlife Federation created a do-it-yourself nature bingo game to encourage children to be observant of nature during a car drive. You can print out the bingo cards, which include pictures of animals and scenery that you are likely to see out the car window. Your kids will have a blast looking for butterflies, trees, dogs, flowers, ponds, and parks.

How does your family enjoy nature while traveling? 

Some people love the winter season and enjoy snow, warm clothes, and ski trips, while others are affected emotionally by the cold dreary weather, shorter days, and being stuck inside all of the time. For some people, including children, winter can cause them to feel down in the dumps or even depressed. Fortunately, once we understand what is going on, we can help our kids overcome their winter blues.

What Exactly Are The Winter Blues?

We often hear the term Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, to describe when someone is unhappy during wintertime. It is a form of depression that follows a seasonal pattern. The most common type occurs in the winter, but some people do experience SAD during other seasons depending on the weather and where they live.

As winter approaches, 10 to 20 percent of people experience mild symptoms of SAD and about 6 percent have considerably worse symptoms. Typical symptoms of SAD include:

• Craving comfort foods like pasta, breads, and sugar
• Fatigue; wanting to sleep more
• Having difficulty waking up in the morning
• Irritability and moodiness
• Increased crying
• Difficulty concentrating
• Depression
• Hopelessness
• Low self-esteem

Experts aren’t 100 percent sure what triggers SAD, but some theories include environmental factors like the change in the amount and intensity of light exposure we get during the colder, darker months. Additionally, levels of serotonin—a neurotransmitter linked to depression—has been shown to shift with the seasons and may be linked to SAD.

When It’s Time To Call A Therapist

Sometimes SAD can get pretty serious and start impacting your child’s daily life. They might start crying often, withdrawing from activities that they used to enjoy, and experiencing changes in their appetite. If SAD is not addressed, your child’s self-esteem can suffer and they will start to struggle socially and academically.

If you start to notice these changes, then it’s important to seek professional help by calling a licensed therapist. A professional will be able to assess the changes you observed and provide feedback and an action plan for how to address the situation. Be sure to note whether these symptoms fluctuate with the season and weather so that you can inform the therapist. Also, remember to discuss these issues with your child in a gentle, understanding manner and let them know that you love them and want to help them feel better.

How Nature Can Help

Another way to help manage wintertime depression is through nature. Spending time in and around nature is so beneficial to our health and well-being. It calms us down when we are feeling stressed and boosts our mood when we are feeling down. When we think about nature, we tend to only consider that it’s outside, but we can also capture the essence of what nature has to offer through images, sounds, and plants inside our home. By bringing nature indoors during the cold, dark, rainy, snowy months, we can help our kids beat the winter blues.

Nature Imagery

Amazingly, just looking at pictures of nature scenes can make us feel similar to actually spending time outdoors. Spending time in nature can also make us feel more compassionate and connected to others. Scientists have observed brain activity using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and discovered that when we view scenes from the natural environment, the parts of their brain associated with empathy and love light up.

Nature Sounds

Listening to nature can also help relax us and improve our mood. One study explored how nature sounds affect people’s mental and physical health and found that those who listened to ocean waves had considerably lower muscle tension, heart rates, and stress. These positive changes occurred quite rapidly–within five to seven minutes of listening to the sounds of nature. Keep in mind that the best sounds are those that give a sense of natural space and mimic the biorhythms of an ecosystem like a forest. Loud chirping and croaking is just not going to cause the same calming feelings as sounds of water, which are very soothing because of their slow, rhythmic whooshing noises.

Plants

Plants and flowers have long been known to cheer people up. Research done in hospitals, offices, and schools has consistently found that even a simple plant in a room can have a significant impact on improving mood. Plants actually boost healing, according to a study at Kansas State University, in which researchers learned that viewing plants during recovery from surgery can lead to a significant improvement in physiological responses.

How To Bring More Nature Inside

If your kids are experiencing the winter blues, try some of these ideas to brighten up their day:

• Display plants and colorful flowers throughout your house.
• Decorate your house with awe-inspiring images of nature. Collect gorgeous pieces from famous photographers like Ansel Adams and Philip Hyde or start a family hobby of taking pictures of nature that you love to display throughout your house.
• Start an indoor garden of herbs and flowers.
• Play nature sounds in your home, especially at bedtime.
• Visit indoor sanctuaries of nature such as an arboretum, butterfly garden, botanical garden, greenhouse, science museum, or aquarium.
• Watch nature shows, movies, and documentaries as a family.
• Hang out in places with large windows and skylights to allow more natural light in.

What do you do to ease the winter blues?

We are all familiar with the old adage “stop and smell the roses”. It helps us remember to take a moment and appreciate what we have and the beauty of simple things like a bed of flowers in our neighborhood. This saying also points to the interesting fact that fragrances naturally occurring in our environment can help us to relax and boost our mood. Indeed, our sense of smell is one tool that we can easily tap into to reduce tension and stress.

That is why there is a 72-billion-dollar perfume industry and  3.4- billion-dollar aromatherapy industry. From massage oils to incense to trendy perfumes, there are tons of delicious smelling options to make us feel happier and calmer. We can easily purchase these fragrances to make us feel better, but it’s also fun to try to find these natural scents outside and share them with our children. Here are some of the most relaxing natural scents according to science.

Lavender

There is no scent more relaxing than lavender. Extracted from the fresh flower of the lavender plant, the oil has been shown to have sedating effects that help our body and mind relax. Its antioxidant components can lower the level of stress hormones in our body and soothe our nerves to relieve anxiety and depression.

Visit a garden with lavender or plant your own around your home. Lavender is also available in many forms that you can purchase, including aromatherapy oil, bath gels, extracts, infusions, lotions, soaps, teas, tinctures, and whole dried flowers.

When your children are stressed and before they go to sleep at night, try spraying some lavender for anxiety or rubbing some lavender lotion to calm them.

Jasmine

Jasmine is another floral scent that is known to lift our mood. A 2010 study found that the smell of jasmine creates a sense of alertness and reduces sad thoughts. It is used to calm nerves and as an anti-depressant because of its uplifting capabilities that produce a feeling of confidence, optimism, and revitalized energy.

Grow your own jasmine plants and enjoy their fragrance or grab some jasmine aromatherapy oils.

Pine

The smell of pine trees is also known to relieve stress. In one Japanese study, participants who went on a walk through a pine forest said that they felt significantly lower levels of depression and stress.

If you live near a pine forest, take the kids for an enjoyable and relaxing hike as you breathe in the aroma of pine. If you do not live near pine trees, then consider planning a getaway to experience them in person. You can always enjoy some pine scented aromatherapy oils as well.

Freshly-Cut Grass

Now this is one that all of us can easily enjoy! Did you know that the smell of freshly-cut grass can make you happier? It might be because the smell of freshly-cut grass reminds us of happy, playful days running around our yard, but scent researchers also found that a chemical released by a newly-mowed lawn can make people feel more joyful and relaxed. So, get your family outside and mow the lawn or walk around your neighborhood looking for some freshly-cut grass to take a whiff of.

Rosemary

Now we turn to some foods and spices that provide natural scents to calm our mood. Rosemary is associated with positive emotions like happiness and can reduce cortisol levels. So, make sure to stock up your spice rack with some rosemary and let your children enjoy its relaxing smell when they are feeling restless.

Citrus

The smell of citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruit help to calm us down when we feel angry or anxious and give us a boost of energy. Your options for smelling more citrus fruits during your day are endless.

• Go to a supermarket and let your kids pick up lemons and other citrus to touch and smell them.
• If you are in the right climate, plant some citrus trees in your backyard. We have a lemon tree behind our house and my kids love picking them and taking a big whiff of that lemony fragrance.
• Buy organic citrus fruits to enjoy eating at home. Also, squeeze their juice into fresh water to enjoy with your meals.
• Instead of using traditional chemicals to clean your home, use lemon to keep everything sparkly while also getting the extra benefit of a soothing scent throughout your home.

Vanilla

Do you prefer chocolate or vanilla? Well, when it comes to natural scents, vanilla has been proven to lift our spirits. A study published in 2004 found that smelling a vanilla bean elevated participants’ feelings of joy and relaxation. Other studies have shown that smelling vanilla can stabilize our heart rate and reduce blood pressure. Derived from orchids of the genus Vanilla, we can easily find this pleasurable scent in the grocery store aisle. You can let your children enjoy the relaxing smell of vanilla by cooking with organic vanilla extract, wearing vanilla perfume, or even buying some whole vanilla beans.

Bonus Natural Scents

One of the key reasons that smells reduce stress and make us feel happier is that they trigger a pleasant memory in our lives. Each of us has a unique set of experiences that include scents that may make us feel better. Some people love the smell of the beach because it reminds them of relaxing vacations. Other people love the aroma of pumpkin pie because they recall enjoyable times during Halloween or Thanksgiving.

What are some special natural scents that you and your children connect with to feel happier and calmer?

Many of us dream about traveling the world to find the perfect tranquil spot where we can feel relaxed and peaceful. But sometimes, as Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home.” Instead of spending your life searching for that special locale, why not create it right in your own backyard for your whole family to enjoy?

Building a meditation garden is the best way to combine the incredible benefits of both nature and mindfulness activities to reduce stress in our lives. This can also be a super fun way for your family to work together outdoors and plan a very special place for you all to relax together. In addition to the general benefits of being outside while working on your meditation garden, your children will also understand the importance of nature in our life, have a chance to get creative, and gain a sense of accomplishment from their hard work.

What Is A Meditation Garden?

The goal of a meditation garden is to provide a quiet, calm place for you to find balance and reduce emotional and physical stress. Although it is only a few steps from your house, it serves as a welcoming retreat to unwind and practice mindfulness.

Being outside surrounded by nature helps us heal. We, as humans, have a nature instinct known as biophilia—an innate bond we share with all creatures and plants in the natural world that we subconsciously seek. Therefore, spending time in nature reduces our response to stress and allows us to recover from tense situations more quickly. The natural world offers solace and comfort unlike what we find in any manmade environment. In fact, a breakthrough study in 2001 in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that a healing garden at a children’s hospital in California had positive effects on users—about 85 percent reported feeling more relaxed, refreshed, or better able to cope after spending only 5 minutes in the garden.

You can design a garden in your backyard that serves as a sanctuary for your family members. It can turn into the perfect escape from your hectic daily schedule. What a wonderful place to take the kids after school before they start their homework or run off to a sport or music practice. They will feel so refreshed after a long, stressful day. And it will sure help us as parents keep our stress (and temper) in check!

 

Elements Of A Meditation Garden

Besides being outdoors, meditation gardens typically contain elements that help make it the serene space you desire. A meditation garden should have several components that fill your senses, such as vivid colors, soothing sounds, interesting shapes and textures, comfortable places to sit or lie down, and lovely aromas. The best part is that you can choose the elements that you want for your space based on your personal preferences and goals for the garden.

Here are some of the most common elements found in a meditation garden:

• Greenery. Besides green being a soothing color, greenery can serve as the foundation of your meditation garden. Plants, shrubs, hedges, and trees can be used in a number of ways to create an isolated spot separate from the rest of your backyard. They can serve as a fence, sound or vision barrier, or create an artistic visual interest. If you use native plants, you can even attract wildlife to your sanctuary. Be sure to choose shrubs and trees that are easy to grow and don’t require much garden maintenance.
• Colorful Flowers. You will have a blast choosing the beautiful flowers to plant throughout your garden.  From tropical to herbal to desert style, the hardest part will be narrowing down all of your options! Look for shapes, lines, patterns, and colors that make you feel calm. Consider including some potted plants throughout your space, and even planting an herb or vegetable garden there as well. Flowers can also bring soothing aromas to your garden, such as aloe, jasmine, rose, chamomile, or lavender.
• Water. Water is known to give us a sense of peace and serenity. In fact, medical studies have found less cortisol (the stress hormone) and more serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine (the feel-good hormones) in people as they spend time in, on, or around water. We become so focused on the water that we enter a mindful state, which is why adding water elements to your meditation garden is a must-have. The calming sound of running water can mask traffic and other distracting noises. Some ideas for incorporating water into your garden include fish ponds, water bowls, bird baths, a fountain, a garden waterfall, or other trickling water features.

• Shade. It is important to design your garden with some shade so you and your kids stay cool and out of the sun. You can incorporate shade into your garden by adding a canopy, umbrella, pergola, or greenery.
• Seating. Although not required, many people prefer to have a place to sit or lie down in their meditation garden. Consider how you plan on spending your time in the garden. If you intend to read a book, then a comfortable meditation bench or meditation chair is a good choice. If you plan to lie down to meditate or take a nap, then consider a hammock or waterproof outdoor sofa. If you plan to stretch or practice yoga, then leave a clear, flat space big enough for a yoga mat or two, depending on how many people will be there.
• Stones, Pebbles, and Sand. As a contrast to plush elements like grasses, plants, and bushes, these solid materials provide a sense of strength to your meditation garden. Japanese Zen gardens, also known as Japanese rock gardens, include these simple elements to help soothe and heal us. As we see with mini Zen gardens people use on their office desks, raked sand is calming because it looks like water ripples or waves.
• Pavers. Most meditation gardens contain some type of pavers. You can get as creative as you want by making patterns or spiral paths. Labyrinths made from bricks or stones are popular since walking a labyrinth traditionally represents taking a journey to the inner self.
• Statues and Sculptures. Some people like to include different types of statues or sculptures that have meaning to them. There are many possibilities like animals, Buddha images, or small pagodas.

How To Create Your Meditation Garden

When you first start planning your meditation garden, it might feel overwhelming because the options are endless. Gather your family together and talk about what makes each of you feel at peace and what you plan on doing in that space.

Then go exploring to find examples to model your garden after. Look online for pictures, visit gardens at museums and hotels, notice your neighbors’ gardens more closely, and check out Botanical Gardens in your area. Research different styles of gardens from around the world, such as Japanese Zen, Chinese, Southwestern United States, Traditional English, and Middle Eastern.

Once you have a vision of your serene space, visit your local gardening store to pick out materials or contact a landscaper for guidance. You will want to choose plants that are low maintenance to ensure that your meditation garden doesn’t become a new source of stress. Finally, try your best to use eco-friendly garden products to help protect the environment and your family’s health. You wouldn’t want to ruin your special place by spraying nasty pesticides all over the plants!

Once completed, you can enjoy the incredible moments of peace, tranquility, and family bonding from your own backyard meditation garden.

Do you have a meditation garden for your family to share?

This guest post was written by Evelyn Taylor of Mommy Stroller. She and her husband Paul started the blog to write about baby gear after the overwhelming feeling they experienced when trying to pick out their first stroller for their family. Both of them enjoy spending time with family and friends, listening to live music, and going on jogs with their kids (in a stroller). For detailed baby gear guides, stroller reviews, and anything and everything stroller-related, check out Mommy Stroller. You can also connect with the Mommy Stroller crew on Pinterest and Facebook.

In our modern world where kids spend endless time in front of screens and most people are obsessed with the latest gadgets, spending time outdoors with your family is still a great experience that can create happy memories and stronger familial bonds. Regardless of what age you are, it’s a good idea to temporarily unplug to explore the great outdoors so that your little ones know the importance of nature.

Going on a family hike is a fabulous way to promote exercise and encourage your kids to explore the wilderness. However, you need to keep in mind that hiking with kids is nothing like hiking with adventure-loving adults. You will need to prepare more extensively to keep your children safe, comfortable, and happy during the entire experience. Planning this type of fun might even involve blood, sweat, and tears (ha!). Because of how much effort goes into the planning, preparing for a trek with a child might be a little daunting at first. However, it’s completely possible to plan an enjoyable, smooth, and life-changing hiking trip that will teach your children the importance of nature and the benefits of unplugging from technology for a bit.

Ready to hit the trails? Here are some key tips to keep in mind as you prepare for your adventure:

Make A List

It’s best to prepare for a hiking trip a few weeks in advance, especially if it is your first time. Make a list of everything you need to purchase, prepare, and pack. This way, you can make sure that you won’t leave behind someone’s jacket or hat. Some of the essentials to bring along include sunglasses, water bottles, and extra clothes. If you’re bringing your baby, don’t forget diapers and wet wipes!

If you have toddlers who are big enough, you might want to buy them a small pack that they can fill with your help. It will build anticipation and excitement for the trip while helping them learn more about being responsible.

Choose A Hiking Baby Carrier

The ring sling or wrap you use for your daily errands simply won’t work out in the wilderness. You need to choose a hiking baby carrier that is safe, comfortable, and convenient to use in the great outdoors. Don’t worry, the days of super heavy, stiff, and oversized carriers are over. There is a wide range of ergonomic baby carriers that you can choose from. Some even come with accessories like a diaper changing mat and lots of storage options. Make sure to choose something that supports your back and evenly distributes the weight of your child as well as fulfilling all of your other needs.

Find The Best Stroller For Your Hike

If you can’t imagine walking the trails with your child in a carrier, you might want to try looking for a jogging stroller or all-terrain stroller that could keep your child comfortable even on a bumpy or uneven surface. Most strollers designed for rough terrains are equipped with a five-point harness to help keep your child safe. It is equally important to pick a stroller that’s made for your child’s height and weight. Be extra careful when picking a stroller if your child is younger than age one.

Pick Sturdy And Durable Shoes

Can you imagine all the complaints you will hear during your hike if your child is uncomfortable with the shoes they are wearing? It is important to look for a pair of durable and lightweight kids hiking boots or shoes. It is also important to choose something with a good traction so that your child won’t slip and fall on the trail. If you’re buying new shoes or boots, make sure that your child gets to try them out first. Don’t forget to buy the best hiking socks, too.

Pack Something To Keep The Kids Entertained

While hiking itself can be relaxing and meditative for adults, kids (with their shorter attention span) might actually find some parts of the trail pretty boring. As a parent, you need to go the extra mile to keep your children entertained. You can pack lightweight toys to keep them busy as you hike. If you don’t want to bring too much to pack, you can try preparing games or memorizing songs to keep your kids distracted.

Don’t Forget The First Aid Kit

The last thing you want is to feel helpless when someone in your group gets injured or sick. Make sure you pack a first aid kit for emergencies and accidents. Also, bring basic medication that you might need during your hike. If your entire family is going, make sure to inform a friend of your whereabouts. Assign someone who isn’t joining your party as the “emergency contact” in case something goes wrong while you are out on the trail.

Last Reminders

Hiking trips should definitely be fun, but don’t ever forget that safety should always be your top priority. A key aspect of keeping your family safe is to make sure that everything is well thought out so you are prepared for whatever comes your way. While there should be a responsible adult who can serve as the “captain” of the team, everyone joining the hike should be involved in the preparations in some way.

It’s also important to start the prep process early to get everyone excited. A few weeks before your hike, you can start encouraging your children to learn a bit about nature and simple first aid. You can also start bringing your young ones outdoors (even if it’s just your backyard) a little more often. As a family, you can also practice some cute hiking songs together. The best part is all the amazing family memories you will have from that time out on the trails together.

What are your favorite hiking tips? 

*This post was sponsored by Mommy Stroller.

 

This guest post was written by Emma Gibson, a psychology Ph.D. candidate from Jacksonville State University and a talented communicator. She has a passion for the written word and has a remarkable ability to explain complex topics in layman’s terms. She engages readers with her creative ability to teach as she entertains.

Childhood today is very different than it was for us, particularly when it comes to technology replacing outdoor play. We used to enjoy running around in our backyard and at the park with neighborhood friend. Our kids spend almost nine hours every day staring at screens, and now more with online learning. After all, our children can’t even remember a time before the Internet, wireless technology, or cell phones so it makes sense that they prefer to use technology and digital devices for a majority of their communication and interaction. Unfortunately, all of this connectivity can have some surprising effects on our kids.

 

 

The Problem With Too Much Technology

As parents, we need to really process what all those hours in front of a screen of any type can do to a person, especially growing and developing children. Sure, our kids can log several hours watching television, but a large chunk of this daily consumption occurs as our children are streaming videos, playing games, or scrolling social media on numerous digital devices. The sheer amount of technology time is alarming, even the American Academy of Pediatrics now advises limiting kids’ time in front of devices.

Some of the dangers that technology poses to children include:

• Feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem are associated with social media overload.
• Fast-paced stimulus from technology and the Internet are known to alter development in the brain’s pre-frontal cortex, which increases the likelihood of developing addictions to fast-paced technology.
• The light emitted from glowing screens and interruptions from notifications on our kids’ devices disrupt sleep patterns.
• Technology is limiting the face-to-face interactions that build a young child’s ability to learn speech, bond with others, and develop communication skills.
• Joint and neck pain caused by leaning over and using cell phones and devices for long periods of time.

Why Outdoor Activities Are Essential For Kids

Technology is not totally bad all the time. Our gadgets do deserve a time and place in our children’s lives. But before giving them unlimited technology access, we should also consider that they might be missing out on the importance of nature and valuable play time when they are plugged in constantly.

Outdoor play is essential to our kids because it:

• Helps reduce stress, anxiety, and other emotional issues.
• Lowers the likelihood that a child will experience heart disease, high blood pressure, or obesity later in life.
• Gives children opportunities to fine tune their observation and creativity skills. Kids often exhibit higher levels of readiness to learn and even scores on tests from playing outside.
• Exposes kids to beneficial germs and bacteria, provides healthy doses of Vitamin D from sunlight, and boosts their immune system.
• Regulates natural biorhythms which help children form healthy sleep patterns.

 5 Ways To Disconnect From Technology

Although a lot has changed since we were young, we still need to encourage our kids to take a break from their devices and enjoy the great outdoors. By taking a stance against digital overload, perhaps we can reduce technology’s negative impact on our kids. With a few mindful choices and a little planning, we can successfully balance the best of both worlds: technology and nature.

To help encourage our kids to get outside, consider these tips to disconnect from technology:

1. Make kids earn time to use technology by rewarding them with an allotted amount of tech time for every hour they spend outdoors, reading, or doing chores.
2. Strive to get the family outside for about one hour each day, weather permitting. Go for a bike ride, play a pickup game of ball, work in your family garden, or take a walk.
3. Designate technology-free zones in your home by keeping devices in common family areas and away from bedrooms and the dinner table.
4. Power down all devices at a set time each night to allow your kids to prepare for a good night’s sleep.
5. Take advantage of free events hosted by local parks and recreation areas.

What do you do to keep the technology-nature balance in your family?

Volunteering as a family is such a wonderful way to bond and to feel better overall. When we make others happy, we experience an amazing biological phenomenon called a “helper’s high” that is the result of our brain releasing chemicals called endorphins. We experience an energy in our body that is similar to the rush we feel after we exercise. These positive feelings make our kids happier and healthier by reducing stress and anxiety and feelings of sadness, loneliness or depression. It’s so important that we teach our children meaningful values like helping others.

Finding the right family volunteer activities can be overwhelming at times. You may feel uncertain about what is expected and question whether your children can participate. It is so important that your children feel comfortable where you volunteer, get inspired by the work you do, and enjoy themselves. Without these three components, our children won’t reap all the amazing benefits of volunteering. Plus, we want them to love helping others so they continue to do so for a lifetime.

When searching for the appropriate activity, consider the following priorities:

Project Focus

The first step is to brainstorm as a family to decide what types of volunteer activities you are interested in doing. Ask your children who they would like to help. Is there a particular cause they feel passionate about, such as feeding homeless people, making art for other children, helping animals, or visiting the elderly or sick? What interests, skills, and talents do your family members have? Do you prefer to be indoors or outdoors? Do you wish to work directly with people or do something quietly like painting or pulling weeds? The options are endless, so it is important to narrow down your choices and focus on projects that your family will get the most out of.

Organization’s Mission

Do your research before you sign up with a specific organization. Find out the group’s history and how it got started, the goals and mission, who its leaders are, and how it is funded. Check their website, search online for press coverage, and visit sites like www.charitywatch.org and www.charitynavigator.org. If possible, ask a current or past volunteer about the pros and cons of the organization. Getting a referral from someone you know is the best option, especially because your children will be participating.

Location

Next, you will want to make sure you search for projects that are close to home so you do not have to drag your kids far to volunteer. Use Eventbrite’s search tools to find the perfect places for kids to volunteer in your area. Also, if you’re someone that hosts events in your area and looking for new ways to raise money, check out Eventbrite’s fundraising ideas!

Cost Of Family Volunteer Activities

Although rare, check to see if there are any fees to volunteer. You may also want to consider any other costs involved like travel, equipment such as certain clothing required, or requested products or monetary donations.

Time Commitment

Decide how much time you have to volunteer. It could be once a week, once a month, or once a year. Start slow and gradually increase your involvement if the project is working out well. Or you may choose to volunteer with different organizations each time to expose your children to a wide variety of experiences.

Age Range Guidelines

Look for activities that your whole family can participate in. Before you commit to a project, check to see if there are any age requirements listed. It may take some hunting around, but you should be able to find age-appropriate options. Even babies can take part in nursing home visits, charity walks, and beach clean ups.

Activity Expectations

Before you show up, find out exactly what you will be doing. Will there be heavy lifting involved? Will you have to get down and dirty? Will the project be a boring and repetitive task that will make your kids annoyed?  Make sure the activity is something that your kids will actually enjoy before you invest your time.

Safety

No matter what, safety needs to come first when children are involved. You may want to avoid going to activities in neighborhoods that make you uncomfortable. Your kids may be scared to talk to strangers, so consider starting with familiar people and places. As they get older, you can start to venture out and expose them to more mature situations.

Fun Factor

Finally, if it isn’t an enjoyable experience for your kids, then what’s the point? Choose projects that involve your children in a fun way, but also teach and inspire them. Avoid topics and activities that are too serious and sad for young children. Be sure to engage with them afterward and ask what they thought, and if they would be willing to do it again.

What type of family volunteer activities do you enjoy?

Are your kids hyped up and driving you nuts? You will never believe it, but you can actually calm your kids down using something as simple and available as water.

Water is everywhere. Our bodies are 70 percent water and about the same percentage of the earth’s surface is covered in water. It’s no surprise that throughout time people have been attracted to water for its many beneficial properties – like beauty and tranquility.

Now, science actually shows that being in and around water can calm our bodies and minds. It is clear that water demonstrates the importance of nature in our life. Here are three ways that water can help your children relax.

 

Observe It

Have you ever lost yourself in the beauty of the ocean, a flowing waterfall, or even an aquarium? You are certainly not alone. Water is known to give us a sense of peace and serenity. In fact, medical studies have found less cortisol (the stress hormone) and more serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine (the feel-good hormones) in people as they spend time in, on, or around the ocean.

A couple years ago, marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols dove into this topic in his book Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected and Better at What You Do. He believes that we all have a “blue mind,” which he describes as “a mildly meditative state characterized by calm, peacefulness, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment” that’s triggered when we’re exposed to water.

When we’re around water, our brain becomes engaged in our environment and we enjoy pleasant sensory stimulation. We become so focused on the water that we enter a mindful state. As a result, we enjoy lower stress levels; relief from anxiety, pain, and depression; improved mental clarity and focus; and better sleep.

Water also inspires a sense of awe, as we take in the vastness of the ocean or swim in a large lake. These experiences make us aware of and appreciate our place in this immense world. Such awe-inspiring experiences boost our mood, making us feel happier and calmer. This happens because our nervous system reacts in the opposite way to awe than anxiety. Instead of the “fight or flight” response kicking in, awe keeps us still and relaxed, benefiting both our body and mind.

Water also provides soothing sounds that help us feel calm, as evidenced by all the relaxation and sleep aids that use sounds of water – whether it be crashing waves, the pitter patter of rainfall, or the rush of a flowing river.

Why does the sound of water cause this reaction? Studies show that it’s based on how our brain interprets different noises. These slow, rhythmic whooshing sounds are non-threatening, which is why they calm us down. Also, the sound of water is a type of white noise that helps drown out other noises that might cause us concern. 

Find ways to expose your children to awe-inspiring water scenes and sounds, such as:

• Plan trips where you can appreciate the importance of nature in our life; visit impressive water sights like Niagara Falls, the turquoise sea in the Caribbean, waterfalls in Hawaii, and the Great Lakes.
• Visit marine nature centers and aquariums.
• Spend time at the beach and encourage your children to express how the scene makes them feel in creative ways like writing, painting, or singing about it.
• Go fishing or on a boat ride or cruise.
• Listen to water sounds to calm your children at bedtime.

Immerse In It

Spending time in water has a tremendous soothing effect. Some believe this is because it is reminiscent of the time we spent in our mother’s womb surrounded by amniotic fluid. It may also be related to how the water makes us feel weightless and free.

Studies show that floating can actually change our brain waves and reduce cortisol levels, therefore making us feel more relaxed. There is an actual floating therapy now where individuals can visit a float center to spend time in a dark, private room floating in water as a form of meditation. A 2001 study in the Journal of the Canadian Pain Society found that spending time in a flotation tank effectively decreased anxiety and depression, and increased optimism.

Swimming is also known to boost endorphins that increase feelings of well-being. Plus, the rhythmic strokes and sound of water make swimming very relaxing. Research shows that swimming produces the same relaxation response as yoga, increasing calming chemicals and allowing us to enter a meditative state. When we swim laps, we can focus simply on our strokes and breathing, making it easy to shut off all the noises and activity going on outside the pool.

Baths and showers have been used as ways to escape daily stress for ages. By practicing some mindfulness during a bath or shower, we can really focus on the sensations on our skin and the sounds of the trickling water. This helps us be in the moment and forget our worries.

Look for opportunities for your children to spend time in water:

• Sign them up for swim lessons or join a swim team.
• Encourage them to practice floating on their back in the pool.
• Choose vacations where you can enjoy swimming and water sports.
• Turn bathtime into a mindfulness moment by asking them questions about how the water feels and sounds.
• For older children and teens, visit a spa or float therapy center together. 

Drink It

Let’s also not forget how critical water is to our health. By simply drinking enough water throughout the day, children can minimize feelings of stress and anxiety. Water plays such an important role in how our body functions. All of our organs, including our brain, need water to work properly. If we’re dehydrated, our body is strained and we can become stressed and edgy. Dehydration can actually cause symptoms that feel like anxiety, such as dizziness, muscle fatigue, headache, feeling faint, increased heart rate, and nausea.

Dehydration has also been linked to higher cortisol levels. According to the Calm Clinic, water appears to have natural calming properties. Drinking water can be soothing, and our body can benefit from the added hydration when we are stressed.

It is so important that we encourage our children to drink enough water every day to help them stay balanced. The amount of water a child needs depends on several factors like activity level and local weather, but in general children should drink at least six to eight cups of water per day.

Your children will probably need more water if they’re participating in sports. It’s suggested that they drink a half cup to two cups of water every 15 to 20 minutes while exercising. For specific recommendations, see the Dietary Reference Intakes(DRIs) developed by the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

As one of our most important natural resources, water provides so many benefits including improving our health and happiness. Have fun exploring new ways for your children to enjoy water through their senses – and you will be grateful for how calm they are as a result.

How do you use water to calm your children? 

This guest post was written by freelance blogger and writer Emily Folk. She feels passionately about conservation of wildlife and natural resources and living a greener lifestyle. 

There is no better way to get your children to value the importance of nature in our life than to immerse them in it with a camping experience. Or maybe you want to buy a kayak online and worry you’ll never get a chance to use it. If you tremble at the thought, I don’t blame you. Setting up and taking down tents in the pouring rain is only one of the many obstacles you will face while subjecting your family to leaving the comforts of home and sleeping in the woods. You will also have to pull your kids away from their electronic gadgets. Oh my! But all of these sacrifices will be well worth it. No matter what happens, you will come home with lasting memories that you and your family will cherish. Here are some ways that camping helps your children appreciate nature:

Living Off The Land

Living off the land requires responsibility and hard work. Camping gives you the opportunity to show your children how much we depend on our natural environment. Ask them to take on some tasks to ensure a safe and happy camping trip. They can gather firewood and pile it away from the fire pit. Ask them to fetch water, either from a lake or a pump at the campsite. They will quickly learn to appreciate their municipal water system after doing it the hard way.

Take the kids to search for berries to eat. However, be sure to know what you will be picking in the area. If you know you are among blueberry bushes, that’s fine, but beware of poisonous berries that may look appetizing. Getting sick won’t make them appreciate nature!

If possible, do some fishing so they can experience catching and eating their own food. Fishing will teach them where food really comes from and give them more appreciation for what nature provides. Once they make these connections, they will really understand the importance of keeping our environment clean. Be sure to highlight the Leave No Trace Seven Principles for keeping the outdoors pristine.

Finally, camping gives our kids the chance to solve problems that come up when we are away from the resources and comforts of home.

Appreciating Simplicity

After just a few breaths of fresh air, your children will begin learning about the environment we live in. Modern conveniences are wonderful, but they keep us sheltered and cut off from nature. When you are in it, you start noticing the sounds, the scents, and the vivid colors of nature. Use this time to do some family meditation focusing on your senses like the gorgeous colors around you.

Your children will learn to appreciate the simplicity of nature and just being a part of it. You don’t have to leave 45 minutes early to get somewhere because there are no appointments or deadlines while out in the woods. Encourage your children to spend some time resting in a hammock, and they may never want to leave. Give them a good book to read or a coloring book while they are relaxing and let the hours pass by without a worry. They might want to go on a hike or run to the beach, but they will enjoy a break from structure for a while.

Finally, turning life down a bit without all the technology is good for the soul. No television, no computers, no phone calls. Disconnecting gives them the opportunity to get creative. They will have to use their own imaginations to entertain themselves. You will be surprised how they use rocks, sticks, leaves, animals, and cloud formations to create their own games and stories.

Taking In The Beauty

Camping is a lot of work but it is also tons of fun. Living outdoors exposes your children to many things they may not have thought about before. They will squeal with delight when they see their first deer, shudder at signs of bear or bobcat tracks, and jump for joy with they catch their first fish.

You can guide your children to discover different varieties of plants and trees. Bring along nature reference books and tools like binoculars and magnifying glasses to make nature walks more exciting. You will enjoy seeing your children experience nature on their own, rather than watching it on TV or through a device.

Sunrises and sunsets are everyday occurrences, but your children will marvel at their beauty. Always be on the lookout for rainbows and clouds in all types of interesting shapes. Bring along some notebooks and art supplies so they can document all the natural beauty they witness.

As night approaches, you can have your children help you build a cozy campfire. Teach them campfire safety and show them the proper way to light and maintain a fire. Sitting around a campfire is such a wonderful way to strengthen family bonds. Get a comfy spot by the campfire and enjoy the warmth along with entertaining stories everyone has to share. You will find times where you just stare into the fire and enjoy the peace of the night together as a family.

Happy camping!

What family camping stories can you share?

When we witness the beauty and vastness of nature, it can cause us to feel a number of powerful emotions. There is nothing more special than watching our children see a rainbow or waterfall for the first time. They look on in utter awe of these natural phenomena.

When we are in awe of nature, we are inspired to be more creative because it causes us to view the world in a broader sense. One way to capture this creativity is through poetry. Writing colorful prose allows our children to reflect on what they experience in nature so they can hold on to those moments forever.

Throughout history, poetry has fascinated readers and inspired them to understand the world in a deeper way. Many nature lovers have used poetry to communicate their connection to the environment. Some of the most famous nature poets include:

Robert Frost. His works connected everyday life to nature. These words from the poem “The Road Not Taken” are one of the most celebrated lines of English poetry: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–I took the one less traveled by.”

Alfred Lord Tennyson. He was Poet Laureate of Great Britain and Ireland during the reign of Queen Victoria. His poems use references of nature to describe philosophical themes.

William Wordsworth. He is one of the most famous poets of the Romantic era. He used nature to bring about nostalgia and admiration. He connected with nature in a deep, yet simple manner. One of his poems is titled, “To A Butterfly.”

P.B. Shelly. He used nature to describe deeper things like society and people’s inner thoughts. Nature was described in a more mystic and sacred manner in his works.

John Keats. He provoked readers to imagine his descriptions of nature. Though his poems focused on the environment, they brought about feelings pertaining to his life.

Inspire Your Children With Nature Poetry

There are so many ways to use poetry to instill an appreciation for nature in your children. After you spend time outdoors like going on a family hike, playing at the beach, or even gardening in your backyard, encourage your children to write down their thoughts and feelings about nature as poetry.

You can also enjoy nature poetry on their level by reading several wonderful children’s books together. One of our favorites is The Green Mother Goose: Saving the World One Rhyme at a Time by Jan Peck and David Davis. Not only is it a great tool to teach about environmental issues, it is also quite hilarious. The authors take traditional Mother Goose rhymes and turn them into poetry with a green theme. Old Mother Hubbard shops with cloth grocery bags. Old King Coal works to keep our air free of pollution. Humpty Dumpty gives a lesson on global warming and worries he will get fried from all the heat. And the Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe makes her home more energy efficient with insulation, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and solar panels. Just brilliant!

Children’s Nature Poetry Books

Enjoy some of these other children’s nature poetry collections:

 

Please share your children’s nature poems or favorite nature poem books with us.