It’s no surprise our children’s mental health is regularly being challenged everyday. Being outside can make a big impact over time keeping them mentally and physically healthy. Even if they are just exposed to fresh air, trees, and other parts of our natural world will improve anyone’s mental health.
A survey published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology compiled a long list of mental health benefits associated with time spent outdoors, including:
Improved cognition in children with attention deficits.
Lower levels of stress.
Reduced symptoms of depression.
Reduced symptoms of anxiety.
Spending time outside is a natural way to boost your vitamin D levels.
So this leads me to my question… Have you heard of the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge? It’s just a way to encourage families to get outside more often! It is free to join- all you have to do is download a 1000 hours tracking sheet and get outside.
It had been recorded that on average children spend 1000 hours *or more* a year on screens, so surely we should be able to match or even exceed the amount of hours outside?
Doing this as a family will in return limit the amount of screen time happening. Your family will spend quality time together making those core childhood memories.
Ideas to Get Started on the 1000 Hours Outside
Try eating dinner outside everyday during the warm summer evenings.
Grab a football and head to the park.
Bring watercolors and brushes to the beach. Plan a few camping trips.
Pack some paper, markers, and paints to a local park.
Plan out some fun science experiments like volcano eruptions or rocket launchers.
Try making land art by stacking rocks as high as you can or making images out of earth materials.
Water play. Fill up buckets and sensory bins.
Always keep a picnic blanket in your car for a spontaneous lunch outside.
You don’t have to focus on 3 hours every single day, don’t be rigid about it. It’s supposed to be stress free, not stressful. As always, give yourself grace.
XOXO Farmer Jen
