How does nature lift the spirits of those living with a disability?

It is no mystery the impactful and healing benefits that nature gifts us; although, it is often overlooked in our society.  But maybe things are changing in our world.  Maybe we are starting to remember the importance of our connection to the mother, herself. Research indicates, in a recent study conducted to measure the effects of technology and whether it is for the betterment of our well-being or the opposite, stated that we spend 90% of our time mostly indoors and presumably even more than that in many cases [1].  Children, inside classrooms, are forging through their earliest, developmental years, in front of screens and technological based activities. But what are the benefits of more time in nature, and how do we find balance?

It is said that the technological era we’re racing towards is affecting people’s cognitive capabilities [1], impacting the ways in which we focus and use our innate creative gifts as a human collective.  What needs highlighting here though, is how more time in nature affects those with special needs and those who learn and operate uniquely, as well as all of us, in a world designed for distraction. Balance is and always has been the answer, no?

IMERSION IN NATURE IS PEACEFULLY DYNAMIC AND RESTORATIVE. Children with special needs tend to benefit in environments that are visually stimulating [2]. When we step out into nature, most of us are met with immediate relief to our senses—a literal breath of fresh air. Our shoulders become less tense, breaths become deeper, and we sense our connection to the world we call home. There is much to look at and be relaxed by, as that is just the affect that nature has on all of us. Think of what it can do for our children.  “The number of ‘forest schools’ – which have long been a tradition in Scandinavia and where much of the learning takes place in natural settings in the outdoors—has mushroomed in the United States, up by 500 percent since 2012 [2].” This is pointing us to a different solution and one that values the experiences that promote our connection to the Earth. Nature is the ultimate gift, an endless giving tree of sensory rich experiences that not only offer inspiration but that effortlessly provide a deep well of restoration, for all. 

THE EARTH IS A GROUNDING FORCE FIELD. In terms of energy, when one is grounded it usually is pointing towards feelings of centered-ness and balance. “Scientific Research over more than a decade, which has studied the healing benefits of grounding, indicates that we feel better, when we are electrically connected to the earth [3]” The popular term for this is called “Earthing” or better known as grounding. It refers to the action of bringing the body in direct contact to the Earth’s surface. This is a practice adopted by many who see and know the benefits, as it promotes reduction in stress and re-introduces an element of calm back into the mind and body amidst busy and chaotic routines. This sacred practice does not discriminate, it benefits any of those who engage with it. So maybe our solution lies inherently in our problem. We aren’t intentionally seeking this connection, enough.

NATURE IS MEDICINE FOR THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. “Studies have shown that time in nature—as long as people feel safe—is an antidote for stress [2].” “In a study of 20,000 people, a team led by Mathew White of the European Centre for Environment & Human Health at the University of Exeter, found that people who spent two hours a week in green spaces — local parks or other natural environments, either all at once or spaced over several visits — were substantially more likely to report good health and psychological well-being than those who don’t [2].”  We don’t really need studies to prove this, as we can account for this, in our own daily lives, but we all know self-regulation is important, especially for those who have more difficulty with this concept. The simple act of getting outdoors could be the answer to smoother inner waters– where the automatic response of the body and nervous system is to relax. So, whether it is done recreationally or intentionally incorporated into our educational systems, corporate settings and beyond, we can agree that the outcome could be the push we all need to steer the ship towards well-being and balance.

THE OUTSIDE WORLD IS THE IDEAL CLASSROOM. Why is this the case? The world outside of our windows and doors offers a different type of experience. Giving students, especially those with special needs a visceral learning experience. It’s a literal sensory playground. “Activities in the outdoors can lead to better focus and concentration for students [4].” It is also proven that outdoor spaces cultivate a learning environment that promotes better memory and comprehension for those who have learning disabilities or students who are learning English as a second language [4]. Here at Raise Your Spirit, we pride ourselves in what we offer to the children of our future. Our main philosophy is “functional improvement through structured creativity and play.” We know and understand the necessity for kids to be outside more, and what that means for their well-being; which is why we offer a number of outdoor camp programs.  We have put our hearts into integrating these environments into what we offer because we wholeheartedly believe in the value of what nature provides and what an asset it is in our children’s ability to thrive.

So, how can we, as a collective also shift the narrative and re-introduce these concepts more– not only in our daily lives, but in the institutions that we uphold as a society? It feels like we are moving in a more progressive, open-minded direction but there is still a long way to go as we navigate the old and outdated ways, while adjusting to and implementing new technological digital advancements. Raise Your spirit has never been more committed to pushing the needle forward. Let’s challenge not only ourselves, but the collective—to build a new foundation, one that honors the Earth and reminds us of the importance of our connection to the earth and to ourselves. May we all enrich our daily lives and the lives of our children, more, with the gift that nature is, as we walk hand-in hand toward a future that values our nurturing planet.

REFERENCES

  1. Pew Research Center. “The Future of Well-being in a Tech-Saturated World. Online Publication. Washington, DC. 2018, April, 17. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/04/17/concerns-about-the-future-of-peoples-well-being/

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