Get Outside and Play! Why It’s So Critical For Kids

<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><u><span style= "font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Show Notes</span></u></strong><span style= "font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style= "font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Research shows that time in nature is associated with improved mental health, decreased stress, enhanced creativity and prosocial behaviors, and increased connection to each other.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style= "font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This podcasts describes the research behind the positive effects of more contact and interaction with nature, including: reduced anger, fear, and stress and the production of stress hormones.</span> <span style= "font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Being in nature is good for improving concentration and decreasing the mental fatigue associated with living in stressful urban environments. urban environments</span> <span style= "font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> require what’s called <strong>directed attention</strong>, which forces us to ignore distractions and exhausts our brains. In natural environments, we practice an effortless type of attention known as <strong><span style= "color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">soft fascination</span></strong> that creates feelings of pleasure, not fatigue.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style= "font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; background: white;"> Interactions with nature also creates positive restorative outcomes related to stress reduction, relaxation, tranquility, escapism, physical exercises, increased longevity, and recovery from sickness.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style= "font-size: 14.0pt