Support your mental health and your family’s wellbeing by spending time in nature
Summary
If a friend from overseas was to ask you to describe family life in Hong Kong, the top five words would likely include: “fun”, “busy”, “overscheduled”, “apartment living” (often synonymous with technology fueled entertainment to occupy children) and not to forget “stressful”. For all its ease and convenience, density and apartment living means as caregivers we need to consciously prioritise time outdoors for our children.
I see you Mama. Having to juggle the myriad of commitments, schedules, social calendars, activities and SO MUCH MORE.
A break from screens (sadly true, you read this right)
Time in nature supports physical and mental wellbeing
Firstly, time outdoors allows for active physical movement which supports not just physical health but also directly affects mental health, mental wellbeing and mood. So while you commit to physical exercise outdoors, prioritising time outdoors for our children is an active way to support their physical and mental wellbeing.
Time in nature reduces stress
Recent studies have shown that time in nature reduces stress. In our overscheduled, hyper focused, efficient and achievement driven culture that is synonymous with our community in Hong Kong, cortisol and adrenaline, hormones that are responsible for that drive and achievement are in overdrive. Sadly those very hormones that drive our motivation are also responsible for increasing stress in our bodies. Time in nature actually reduces stress. Think back to how calming looking at the sea, walking through greenery, listening to birds chirping can have a calming effect on your mind and body?
Any guesses on how this supports your child’s mood and mental state? What effect can this have on the mental health of our youth?
“Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience” Ralph Waldo Emerson
A break from screens (sadly true, you read this right)
In my opinion, screen usage should be “scheduled” and “limited”. It should NOT be a default mode of “being” and entertainment– FULL STOP.
One SURE WAY to ensure that our children learn this way of being- of moving their bodies, playing physical games for fun, climbing trees, playing at the beach, kicking a ball (for fun) is to ensure we prioritise time outdoors often.
This also will allow for an active lifestyle to become the norm, with any screen time entertainment becoming controlled, moderated, and limited.
Time in nature’s playground fosters creativity
For children, playing outdoors stimulates creativity and helps develop resilience. As we have mentioned time and time again, “Play is the language of children”. The great outdoors offers an immense opportunity for them to speak in their native language. For us adults, it offers the perfect setting to engage with them in their world, while offering us that recharge, rejuvenation and fresh perspective.
Some ideas to spend time as a family outdoors include:
Some ideas to spend time as a family outdoors include:
- Go for a walk: Start right where you are. If a trail is accessible, go for it. If not, just pop on some comfortable shoes and go for a walk around your neighbourhood.
- If a nature trail is accessible, the effort is worth it. Our favourite family trail in Hong Kong is the Tai Tam Family trail and the Morning Trail.
- Views that include water can bring about some instant calm. The waterfront promenade for me serves as the perfect juxtaposition of the busyness of our city with its skyscrapers towering over the serene waters and the image of junks and boats slowly drifting by.
- Limit technology: During your time outdoors, listen to the sounds of nature. If you listen closely, you WILL HEAR.
- Go to the beach: We are fortunate to have beaches easily accessible. The sound of the waves, the fresh burst of ocean saltiness, feet sinking in sand can be both grounding and energising.
- Go camping: This requires a bit of planning and organisation. But there are camp sites available across Hong Kong, on the outer lying islands and along the Maclehose trail for the more adventurous among us.
- If a piece of nature is too hard to access, just look up to the sky. The sky, the clouds, the moon, the stars offer so much to bring peace to our overwhelmed hearts. It is no surprise Lincoln said…
“I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how a man could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.”
My Love Letter to you Mama…
This Easter and school term break, consider stepping outside with your loved ones. Whether it’s a brief walk or a weekend adventure, the healing embrace of nature awaits, offering countless opportunities to nurture both family bonds and mental wellness. Let the outdoors be your family’s sanctuary, making it the backdrop of your favourite family memories.
Written by Lisel Varley
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