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Thursday 28 October 2021

'Time In Nature is Priceless'

Autumn one of my favourite seasons, photograph from post here

"Spending time in nature promotes early childhood development
Want to ensure your child hits their expected developmental milestones? New UBC research suggests living in areas with high exposure to greenspace can help set them up for success.

For the study, researchers at the UBC faculty of forestry and faculty of medicine analysed the developmental scores of 27,372 children in Metro Vancouver who attended kindergarten between 2005 and 2011. They estimated the amount of greenspace around each child’s residence from birth to age five. They also assessed levels of traffic-related air pollution and community noise.

The results highlight the fundamental importance of natural green spaces like street trees, parks and community gardens, authors say.

“Most of the children were doing well in their development, in terms of language skills, cognitive capacity, socialization and other outcomes,” says study author Ingrid Jarvis (she/her), a PhD candidate in the department of forest and conservation sciences at UBC. “But what’s interesting is that those children living in a residential location with more vegetation and richer natural environments showed better overall development than their peers with less greenspace.”

According to the researchers, the reason for this is partly greenspaces’ ability to reduce the harmful effects of air pollution and noise—environmental challenges that have been shown to adversely affect children’s health and development through increased stress, sleep disturbances and central nervous system damage.

“Few studies have investigated this pathway linking greenspace and developmental outcomes among children, and we believe this is the first Canadian study to do so,” adds Jarvis.

The researchers assessed early childhood development using the Early Development Instrument (EDI), a survey completed by kindergarten teachers for each child. The tool measures a child’s ability to meet age-appropriate developmental expectations.

“More research is needed, but our findings suggest that urban planning efforts to increase greenspace in residential neighbourhoods and around schools are beneficial for early childhood development, with potential health benefits throughout life,” says the study’s senior author and UBC research associate, Matilda van den Bosch (she/her).

“Time in nature can benefit everyone, but if we want our children to have a good head start, it’s important to provide an enriching environment through nature contact. Access to greenspace from a very young age can help ensure good social, emotional and mental development among children.”

The study, published recently in The Lancet Planetary Health, includes contributions by researchers at the University of California Berkeley, University of California Los Angeles, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, BC Children’s Hospital and BC Centre for Disease Control."
The above from article here
h/t Marks Daily Apple here

Related Post
'Kids need trees' here

It seems there are a few studies similar to this one ...
I don't think it's just children who benefit from being outside enjoying nature.
I know I enjoy time spent outside and away from social media.
It's wonderful to enjoy a walk, to be outside and to take time to enjoy nature.

How about you? Do please share your thoughts about this article in the comments.

Me (Jan) enjoying a walk,
this is a photograph from a few years back,
I really must get a more recent one taken!
 
You will find a variety of articles, studies and recipe ideas within this blog, and not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues please take these into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

36 comments:

Christine said...

Makes a lot of sense.

Tom said...

...it certainly is!

William Kendall said...

Restoration is found in being out in nature.

happyone said...

I agree. Being outside in nature is good for everyone. I sure enjoy my walks each morning and living in the woods.

At Home In New Zealand said...

My children grew up being encouraged to hug trees, something our family often did when out walking.

Elephant's Child said...

I NEED time in nature to stay even approximately sane.

Angie's Recipes said...

Definitely!

J.P. Alexander said...

Genial entrada y si estar rodeado dela naturaleza te hace bien . Yo siempre camino por mi jardín. Te mando un beso

Margaret D said...

Interesting read Jan. Yes, recall that photo of your striding out and about :)

Breathtaking said...

Hello Jan,:=)

Trees have been in my,and my children's life since my childhood and theirs. As a child I played in the woods and fields, I rode on my horse, and walked with my grandchildren. That picture of one of your grandchildren climbing that tree with so many branches is lovely. What an amazing tree! Thank you for sharing the photos of all your grandchildren having fun and you too. I remember that post, and shared my appreciation of trees then, but all this research, confirms what I have always believed in. Trees are good for our health in mind and body.

Valerie-Jael said...

I always love o be outside in nature, and love my walks through the woods and along the Rhine. Valerie

Margarida Pires said...

A natureza nesta estação pinta - se de beleza!
Um abracinho recheado de gratidão!
Megy Maia🌳🍂🌲

eileeninmd said...

I always enjoy my time spend outdoors, enjoying nature.
Take care, enjoy your day!

My name is Erika. said...

Being someone who had lots of outdoor green space as a kid, I totally agree with this. I also taught ecology to high schoolers for several years, and it amazed me how many of those kids had no idea about the outdoors. They couldn't identify a tree or were even a bit scared to walk in the woods. This article rings really true to me. Thanks for sharing.

John's Island said...

Hi Jan and Eddie, I found this post to be very interesting. Lately I have been studying about the spiritual aspects of life. You will not be surprised to know that a walk in the forest, getting close to nature, is a wonderful way to relieve stress, add joy to your day, and refresh your spirit. I hope you are enjoying the early days of autumn. Wishes for happy days ahead for you! John

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

The outdoors, I believe, helps develop creatitivity, imagination, a sense of pattern, texture and color, amd magic. Interesting study.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I do believe that nature is soothing and healing and that children especially benefit from time spent outdoors. Even though we lived in NYC when our children were young we frequented the many peaks and took trips to the countryside so they could enjoy all nature had to offer.

Jeanie said...

I'm not surprised -- and I agree with you. It's not only the little ones who benefit!

Lorrie said...

Nature is so restorative. Our daughter, with two very young children, has them outside every day, rain or shine. I know I feel better and sleep better if I'm outside for part of the day. Like Vancouver (just across the water from us), our city of Victoria plans for lots of greenspace and public parks.

Inger said...

I live in nature, no neighbors that I can see or hear, and beautiful mountain views all around. I treasure it.

Mary Kirkland said...

I agree, I just wish I had a nicer place to walk to around here.

Creations By Cindy said...

I always say that being outside in the beauty of God is good for the soul as well as the body. To be honest Jan, kids don't spend nearly as much time as they should outside to me. But, I enjoy the great outdoors. I try to NOT take for granite the beauty and the opportunity to breath in the fresh outdoors. Look at you girl...you getting your walk on! I need to walk more outside that is for sure. But I do enjoy spending time outside with my husband and grands. Most Sundays after lunch (weather permitting) my whole family enjoys being outside together. The kids play and we all sit around under the shade tree and visit. So refreshing. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Rain said...

Jan, I'm SO happy to see your photo of you walking!! Lovely first photo too. I spend so much time walking in nature, I call it nature therapy. It's wonderful because I honestly think it makes a person much more grateful for what they've been blessed with in life!! ♥

Angie said...

Jan - I am not the least bit surprised with the findings of this study. Man was not meant to be sedentary in front of the TV, but rather to be immersed in Nature. I am in the UK at the moment, and reveling in the opportunities it presents to be in the countryside!

Aritha V. said...

Love to see you! And yes, good article.

DUTA said...

Being outdoors, in Nature, is beneficial to all ages. We all can find in it ways of improving our mind and body's functions.

CraveCute said...

Wonderful post to share! Nature heals! Thanks a bunch!

lenalima said...

AMO ESTAR AO AR LIVRE...POR ISSO OPTEI POR MORAR NO MATO.
GOSTO DAS SUAS POSTAGENS! BJ

bread&salt said...

What a great information! What a useful article! I wholy agree this article dear Jan. But unfortunatelly deforestation issue is a big problem of whole world. Greetings. Have a great day.

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...

Muito importante para a saúde as caminhadas pela natureza.
Um abraço e bom fim-de-semana.

Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It is quite sad that so many, perhaps the majority, of people are totally alienated from nature. That's why we trash and spoil it with such regularity, I suppose.

Bob Bushell said...

Well said.

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Fantastic photo.

Conniecrafter said...

I agree that it is a wonderful mood booster to get out in nature, can't imagine living in a city with nothing but cement all over.

DVArtist said...

Wonderful photos of nature and you.

Teresa said...

Tengo mucha suerte de estar rodeada de naturaleza y soy muy feliz en ella. Besos.