“Gut health, mental wellbeing and immunity linked to outdoor play”
Gut health, mental wellbeing and immunity linked to outdoor play
By Layla Tucak
A disconnection from nature can affect everything in a child from gut health and immunity, to mental health and even the way they think, recent research has revealed.
Playing in nature used to be a part of everyone’s childhood but researchers say it has become an increasingly foreign concept in Western countries with changes to the way we live, the places we live in and advances in technology.
“Your connection to nature established early in life to your experiences can actually influence [your] life course’s wellbeing,” Canadian naturopath and health researcher Alan Logan said.
“And this is not just one or two studies, there have been several studies combined that have clearly shown this connection.”
Mr Logan is one of the keynote speakers at a Children and Nature conference held in Perth this weekend, that has attracted specialists from around the world. Mr Logan said studies show nature has positive impacts on stress levels and depression.
Even a view out the window in an academic setting or the workplace, can influence stress and so forth as well as performance,” he said. Research also showed nature had a positive impact on children who have been diagnosed with impulsivity, hyperactivity and attentiondeficit disorder and it even influences the way people relate to each other, Mr Logan said.
Professor Lynn Beazley says vitamin D and brain stimulation are just a few of the benefits of nature play.
“One of the really important things about those early life connections to nature relates to empathy,and empathy of course is your ability to understand and to take another’s perspective.”
“Nature encourages children to ask questions.”
Exposure to nature also has important physiological impacts, said paediatrics specialist Professor Susan Prescott from the University of Western Australia.
“When we’re in contact with nature we’re in contact with all sorts of microbial elements with vitamin D from the sunlight, and of course physical exercise which are all good for our physical health,” Professor Prescott said. “These in turn impact on the body’s immune system and our immune system influences just about every aspect of our physical health and our mental health.”
Former WA chief scientist Lyn Beazley said children needed to experience nature as much as possible because it was good for their growing brains.
“It allows them to ask all sorts of questions,” Professor Beazley said.
“Why is the sky blue? Why do I see the moon during the day? [Why is the] grass is green? When they ask the questions and address it themselves, that’s when the brain gets that extra stimulation and we know the brain is growing hugely at this time, making lots of new connections for life.”
Professor Beazley said the onus is on parents and carers to ensure children get their nature fix but schools also played an important role.
[ABC News report by Layla Tucak, Posted Sat 27 Aug 2016, 2:38pm]karrinyup early learning centre early learning centre, school of early learning, childcare, day care, day care