May 27, 2017

Quote of the Week

"In the presence of nature, a wild delight runs through the man, in spite of real sorrows." --Ralph Waldo Emerson

Does Nature Make Us Happy?

"In today’s age of high technology, research shows that our hunger for the natural world still endures. In fact, our connections with nature could just be the best medicine for people of all ages—improving our health, happiness, and well-being. Those same connections could also heal the planet. Few would disagree that our natural and cognitive worlds have grown disconnected. Most of us, particularly children, spend far less time in nature today than in recent decades....Not only have experts found that outdoor education is critical for child development, it is also important for the future of the planet. Why? Because when we feel connected to nature, we are more likely to live sustainable lifestyles. We are also more likely to support environmental causes that educate and engage others with the natural world."

Read more about research that shows how our connections with nature are linked to happiness and ecological sustainability. For a more in-depth look at how nature changes your brain, this article from National Geographic magazine examines why spending time in nature reduces stress and is the best antidote for the ailments of "modern life". 

Reading Corner

Title: Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life
Author: Richard Louv
Ages: Teen/Adult

Richard Louv is well known for his book "Last Child in the Woods" which documented the decreased exposure of children to nature in American society and how this "nature-deficit disorder" harms children and society. "Louv...proclaims the many advantages of reconnecting with nature, both for children and adults, in an insightful and practical guide chock full of inspirational advice. For support, he points to studies that have found many potential benefits of spending time outdoors, such as reduced symptoms of ADHD, alleviation of anxiety and depression, decreased obesity, and improved immune system functioning. Many physicians are on board and some are even prescribing nature time for their patients, but Louv sees parents as the most essential factor. For them, he offers up this book as a companion to his previous work, listing more than 500 ways to incorporate nature into everyday life." --Publisher's Weekly

Be the Change

Try one of the suggested ideas here for how to make being outdoors in nature fun and meaningful for kids and teens, who otherwise might be glued to their screens. Take a hike on a new trail, go bird-watching, clean up a park or a beach with a group of friends, join a conservation club, plant seeds or support a community garden. Commit yourself and your child/teen to spending some amount of time in nature every day for the whole summer and keep a journal of what you notice.