It’s no secret that spending time in nature has numerous benefits for people of all ages. In recent years, many parents have turned to nature to help their children who are struggling with anxiety. The healing power of nature can be incredibly beneficial for kids, and it is a treatment option that more and more parents are exploring. There are many ways to incorporate nature into your child’s treatment plan, and this article will explore some of them. If you are looking for a complementary treatment option for your child’s anxiety, consider giving nature a try. The result may surprise you.
Can Nature Heal?
An old saying goes, “the best things in life are free.” While this may not always be true, it is undoubtedly the case when it comes to nature. In a world that is constantly moving at a fast pace, it’s more important than ever to take time to unplug and connect with the natural world. From spending time in your backyard garden to hiking in the mountains, nature has profound healing power.
What is the research saying?
According to recent studies, interacting with nature can boost physical and mental health, improve mood, and even help reduce stress levels. So why not make nature a part of your self-care routine? Reconnect with the earth and feel the healing power of nature firsthand. You won’t regret it!
Nature has a healing effect not only on anxiety but also on general mental and physical health.
Our minds, emotions, and bodies are all affected by our environments. For example, according to research, surroundings can up or downplay anxiety, which impacts our bodies. So, what you’re seeing, hearing, and feeling at any given time influences your mood and your nervous system’s function.
Exposure to an unpleasant environment can leave you feeling anxious and elevates your blood pressure and heart rate, causes muscle tension and lowers your immune system. However, surrounding yourself in nature can have the opposite effect, regardless of age or culture.
In a study of 20,000 people, a team led by Mathew White of the University of Exeter’s European Centre for Environment & Human Health found that individuals who spent two hours each week in green spaces — including local parks and other natural settings, either all at once or over several visits – were considerably more likely to report excellent health and mental wellbeing.
Ways to Incorporate Nature into your Child’s Anxiety Treatment Plan
There are many ways to incorporate nature into your child’s anxiety treatment plan. Here are some ideas:
Go for nature walks
One of the simplest ways to get your child to interact with nature is to go for nature walks together. This can be done anywhere, anytime, and it doesn’t have to be a long walk to be beneficial. A few minutes of being in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety levels.
Do nature-based activities
Your child can do many nature-based activities to help reduce anxiety. Gardening, bird watching, playing in the sprinklers, visiting a petting zoo, exploring nature trails, and fishing are just a few examples.
Have nature in your home
If going outside is not an option, you can bring nature into your home. This can be done by keeping plants in the house, putting up nature-themed wall decals, playing nature sounds, etc.
Use nature as a tool for relaxation
Many relaxation techniques involve nature. For example, guided nature meditation and progressive muscle relaxation both use nature sounds to help relax the mind and body.
Give nature-based gifts
Another way to incorporate nature into your child’s anxiety treatment plan is to give them nature-based gifts. This could be anything from pet rocks to plants to a nature-themed book.
Spending time in nature is a great way to help reduce anxiety in children. There are many different ways to do this, so find what works best for your child and make it part of their anxiety treatment plan.
If you’re looking for more ideas on how to reduce anxiety in children, check out our Mindful Walk free printable.
We hope you will consider trying some of the nature-based activities suggested in this article. They can be fun and relaxing, and can help lessen symptoms of anxiety over time. And if you want even more ideas, be sure to check out our Mindfulness Book, which is packed with activities that promote relaxation and peace of mind.
Related Articles
Do’s and Don’ts to Help Your Child Cope With Anxiety
Proprioceptive Activities for Kids – Improve Behaviour, Self-Regulation and Anxiety
How to Improve Self-regulation in Children with Autism and Attention Disorders
