Across the nation we are hearing reports of sunshine, warmer temperatures and flowers blooming. We have been told by doctors, therapists and moms since the dawn of time to “Go outside.” The benefits to all levels of your being are huge.
When children go outside they expand. They experience a fullness of themselves that they cannot experience when indoors. This is why moms everywhere lament foul weather — kids can only go so long without expanding before they start taking up all of the space around them — inside!
Next time you go for a walk with your child or even just outside to shoot some hoops or draw with chalk on the driveway, ask them how the sun feels on their body. They are already soaking up the benefits of vitamin D which is so important for development and healthy living, and by tuning in to the sun they will also tune into their heart space. They will feel the opening, the expansion. Let them describe that to you. Have them tell you how they feel. Pay attention to how much more creative your child is when outside (or right after they come in).
Put some sun screen on, grab a sweater and your sneakers, and go outside and feel better!
My sister in law is part of a program whose tagline is: No child left inside! We all need to go outside to recharge our batteries. We’re lucky here in Colorado! We rarely have weather, winter or summer, that keeps us inside!! As a preschool teacher I totally agree with all the benefits. Great post!
Great advice! Have the kids kick off their shoes and run their toes through the grass, dirt or sand. What evers available. Feel the connection to the earth!