Benefits of the Outdoors Part II

I feel like the month of May came and went just like that. There have been more behavioural issues, staff shortages, and never ending assessments this month. I have definitely been feeling unmotivated to teach all day and then work on master's assignments when I get home. One thing that does really help me calm down if I'm feeling overwhelmed by my responsibilities is going for a post-work zip around my neighbourhood before trying to tackle any school work. 


I'm am currently writing this blog post from a lovely cabin in Agassiz where I will be spending the long weekend with some friends and hearing the sounds of the birds, seeing fish jump in the lake, and smelling campfire has already made me feel more at ease. I stumbled upon an article from Ontario Parks and it mentioned that "what you see and hear in nature can improve your mood in the moment." 

The article also mentioned that spending time in nature has a strong connection with reducing negative emotions, including symptoms of anxiety, depression, psychosomatic illnesses like irritability, insomnia, tension headaches, and indigestion. Enjoying time in green spaces "significantly reduces cortisol levels (stress hormone) and boosts endorphin levels and dopamine production." Contact with nature also has restorative properties and can lead to "increased energy levels, improve focus, and potentially reduce symptoms of ADHD." 

After reading Jordan's blog post and hearing how she takes her primary students out for 30 minutes daily before tackling a "big task" is something that I will definitely keep in mind. Even something as simple as a quick lap around the field, or a 5 minute body break outside before returning to the classroom is something I have offered students with ADHD in the past to help them let off steam. Though this is a great whole class strategy that would help not only the students, but myself as well, to get some fresh air, reset, and get that boost of feel good hormones. 

Mental Health Benefits of the Outdoors. Ontario Parks. Retrieved on May21, from: https://www.ontarioparks.com/parksblog/mental-health-benefits-outdoors/#:~:text=A%20simple%20stay%20in%20the,your%20mood%20in%20a%20moment.

 

 

Comments

  1. Kirsten SmithMay 28, 2022 at 4:30 PM

    Hi Shanelle,

    Whenever I am out in nature, I definitely feel more calm and relaxed. The fresh air is definitely great for our minds and being away from the busy noises of technology is settling. My students also seem to feel this way when we go outside and are away from the classroom. As primary students tend to be able to focus for a shorter amount of time, I agree that providing them with opportunities for a body break will help them refocus. I am going to try to include more of these throughout my teaching day not only for my students, but for myself as well.

    ReplyDelete

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