Outdoor pollution. Harmful UV rays. Fears of crime. These are just a few reasons why more and more parents opt to keep their children indoors most of the time.
It’s a far cry, isn’t it, from the childhood experiences of the past when children used to spend hours at the local playgrounds or in the school field? What does this mean in terms of health and wellbeing for today’s children?
In households where both parents work, relaxation probably means spending the weekend at home (perhaps even catching up with some housework!). As for the kids, they’ll be either busy with their homework or they might be engrossed with their digital devices.
This may sound normal to many, but it’s not the way the human body is supposed to be. We need fresh air to be at our best health. Children, especially, need to spend some time outdoors to reap the benefits of fresh air as well as a little bit of sunshine.
The modern world of indoor living and playing
While our homes may be ours havens, every one of us still needs a dose of fresh air to sustain good health. In any indoor premise, even our very own home, you can expect stale air circulating within. Many homes are found to have poor ventilation, which means that the air inside is recycled many times by its inhabitants. Not only does the quality of the air become very poor, but there’s also the fact that if a member of the family comes down with the common cold, for instance, the whole household is likely to catch it too.
Fresh air strengthens a child’s immunity too. You may be careful in your child’s nutritional intake, but if they’re kept indoors most of the time, it may not be enough to keep them healthy and thriving.
… and that’s just half the story!
Without proper air circulation in the home, chemicals emitted while cooking and cleaning can build up and cause the air in your home to deteriorate in quality and freshness. All in all, stale, stuffy air may cause colds; headaches; sinus; drowsiness; skin and eye irritation; sinus discomfort and even upper respiratory congestion.
For adults and kids alike, increased carbon dioxide in the air we breathe can lead to poorer moodiness and poorer concentration too. While many modern home building standards have begun to include features for better ventilation, not every family is fortunate enough to be living in such a home.
Electronic devices that are present in most modern homes, such as computers, tablets, and TVs give off positive ions, which are believed to contribute to irritability and bad moods, which in turn can go on to contribute to increased stress levels and even weight gain.
Why you need to take your family outdoors
Even if you don’t happen to take into account the benefits of exercise and sunlight, the benefits of fresh air are certainly compelling and should be a good enough reason to get your family to start spending some time outdoors. – Choose suitable spots though, away from the pollution of motor vehicles, etc. The aim is to allow them to breathe in some fresher, cleaner air!
Here are some of the reported benefits of breathing in the fresh air.
- You’ll feel more energised
- Helps decongest colds
- Helps you get better sleep
- Fresh air is rich in negative ions which help restore a feeling of wellbeing
- Relieves all symptoms of being stuck inside the home with stale air
The restorative powers of negative ions
Have you ever noticed how the air outside always feels fresher and restorative after a rain shower? It’s also the same near a waterfall, on the beach, or even up a hill somewhere! That’s partly due to the negative ions present in fresh, clean air. Studies have shown that these ions cause a biochemical reaction in our bodies that increases the production of the mood chemical called serotonin. This reaction can have a positive effect on our mood, and even help people with depression. Did you know: Studies have revealed that kids who are sedentary lose three to five years off their overall life span. Now, that should be compelling enough to encourage not only a more active lifestyle but naturally, more time outdoors as well!
Get them outdoors!
We’re lucky to be living in Malaysia, for we still have lots of outdoor space which is rich in greenery where the potential for learning and having fun is countless, as long as parents care to take the opportunity to make the most of it. Take your kids to places where they can get to know more about the basics of nature and help them gain an appreciation of precious life resources while building a sense of respect for nature. This can only happen outdoors. Also, as children play outdoors with others, they interact, create and play together directly, which enhances their ability to socialise. They’ll also be less likely to act up and misbehave, which are normally the cases with kids who are stuck indoors and who are overly exposed to negative influences from modern TV programmes and video games.
Physical and mental benefits
Getting fresh air has actual measurable physical health benefits for children. Kids who are outside are more likely to get their daily dosage of vitamin D, which assists in bone strength and lowers risks of cancer. Children who play outdoors are also less likely to have natural nearsightedness. Plus, kids who are allowed to spend time outdoors are likely to engage in active play for at least an hour a day, which helps a great deal in keeping childhood obesity at bay! Spending quality time outdoors plays a role in soothing children’s moods too, lowering their risk of hyperactivity and depression. They will have better attention spans compared to kids who watch TV and play video games throughout the day. When children play outside they are more likely to use their imagination, creative play, and inventions, which expands their creative thinking and mental capabilities.
Simple steps, big impact
To facilitate your child’s outdoor play, create a mandatory outdoor playtime each day when your child gets at least one hour of outdoor time. Here are some ideas:
- Go on a picnic or just eat on the back porch.
- Go for a family bike ride or nature hike.
- Invest in some outdoor play equipment, such as a basketball hoop.
Did you know?
A study by Cambridge University scientists also suggests that every hour spent outdoors each week can reduce a child’s chance of becoming short-sighted by two percent!
Sunlight: A natural disinfectant
Spending time outdoors isn’t just for the fresh air! Kids will also enjoy the benefits of some energising sunlight. Numerous studies have shown that both exposures to natural sunlight and fresh air are effective disinfectants that can kill bacteria.
Did you know that bacteria survive better in closed areas, away from fresh air and sunlight? When bacteria come into contact with fresh air, a phenomenon known as the open-air factor occurs. This is when the air act as a disinfectant that kills germs and pathogens. Likewise, microbes that cause infection and disease also cannot tolerate sunlight and are found to be weakened and subsequently killed by exposure to natural sunlight for extended periods. Interesting fact: Cholesterol is the precursor to vitamin D and what’s more interesting is, both are formed in the human skin. With adequate exposure to sunlight (for 15 minutes or more), the cholesterol in the skin begins to transform into vitamin D.
