From Screen Time To Green Time – The Healing Power Of Summer Outdoor Activities For Children
- Aug 23, 2023
- 5 min read
Written by: Danielle Baron, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
This summer, my schedule as an entrepreneur and finalist in the Ms. Great Britain competition, coupled with my upcoming 40th birthday plans for a trip to Norway in December, led to a decision to remain in the Surrey area or its surroundings. Although this summer has lacked abundant sunshine, we opted not to venture to destinations like Portugal for extended stays. Instead, we embarked on sporadic getaways, strategically fitting them in between my client and event commitments. Our accommodations varied, encompassing a range of hotels, even including the local Holiday Inn, boasting amenities such as a swimming pool, an outdoor terrace, and the proximity of a swan sanctuary and lock.
One of our memorable stays was at Beaverbrook in Surrey, where an outdoor pool awaited. The timing couldn't have been better; the sun graced us with its presence, allowing us to bask on poolside loungers. For a brief moment, eyes closed, I could envision myself in Portugal, but at a fraction of the cost. Exploring the lush gardens adorned with exotic flowers, aside from the playful wasps, provided an amusing backdrop for relaxation. It was a tranquil and enriching experience for my youngest, a 7-year-old who revelled in traversing the winding garden paths of the estate.
The therapeutic charm of the outdoors is undeniable, aligning with our natural state. Engaging our senses, encouraging children to detach from digital screens, and fostering the release of a steady supply of dopamine are among its many benefits. Fresh air and the simplicity of nature ground us, highlighting life's true necessities.
We had a recent encounter with a friend and her children at Painshill Park in Surrey. Our children thoroughly enjoyed their exploration of the labyrinthine paths, tree climbing, playful escapades from the geese, and the adventure of discovering the cave with its impressive stalactites and stalagmites. As an added delightful surprise, we even chanced upon grape vines during our visit.
Our upcoming destination, Bournemouth, promises abundant natural beauty, particularly its forests and beaches. There's an inexplicable soothing quality to the rhythm of the sea, a reminder of our innate desire for connection. The great outdoors offers an unfiltered communion with nature and fellow humans, ideally sans the intrusion of technology. Aided by interpersonal skills, curiosity blossoms, leading children to engage and play with peers.
Children's innate curiosity and boundless energy find an ideal canvas in the outdoors. The summer months become a period of growth beyond the physical realm. The exploration of natural environments kindles creativity and inquisitiveness, bridging gaps left by textbooks and screens. This year, as I undertake homeschooling for my daughter, I recognise the significance of outdoor time and have enrolled her in a forest school. Socialisation and nurturing a love for nature are paramount goals.
The outdoors fosters camaraderie among children, facilitating genuine friendships and indelible memories. Parents benefit too, breaking free from phone screens to engage with their children. The pull of outdoor activities extends beyond mental and emotional growth; it spurs physical well-being. The summer becomes a time for active pursuits, from biking along scenic routes to participating in sports. These activities bolster cardiovascular health, strengthen bones, and enhance motor skills, with the added bonus of Vitamin D from sunlight.
The restorative influence of nature on mental well-being is well-documented. Immersion in outdoor settings correlates with reduced stress, elevated mood, and heightened emotional resilience. Natural landscapes offer a serene backdrop for introspection and self-discovery. For children, the outdoors serves as an emotional canvas, allowing them to express and navigate their feelings while finding solace in the present.
The impact of summer's outdoor activities transcends childhood. Early habits often shape lifelong perspectives. Encouraging outdoor engagement sets the stage for an active lifestyle, a profound appreciation for nature, and a holistic approach to well-being.
The effects ripple outward; a society that values outdoor connection experiences collective benefits. Parks, green spaces, and natural habitats morph into shared sanctuaries, fostering community bonds and environmental consciousness.
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Danielle Baron, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Danielle catalyses children and adults to rise like a phoenix from the flames 🔥 and to reach their optimum potential. She is an entrepreneur, inspiring 11+ and 7+ entrance exams tutor, rapid transformational therapist®️, business coach for overachievers, a life coach for all, and an NLP Master practitioner, and she is also certified by the ILM.
One of Danielle’s much-loved abilities is being an overachiever because she thrives on the excitement and follows her passion, which is to help people live fulfilling lives.
Over the last five years of her tuition business, Danielle has become extremely popular and respected in the tuition industry and is a mentor and coach to other tutors to help them increase revenue in their businesses, but ultimately to be the best tutors they can be. Her own tuition service incorporates coaching for parents and children throughout the exam process and NLP classes for children to help them with lack of confidence, bullying, and anxiety and to help them focus on the imminent goal of exams and to visualise and believe in their success.
Danielle’s second business, coaching and therapy, has been a long time coming and her personal interest in people and psychology led her to invest in the most high-quality courses to be the best for her clients. For her rapid transformational therapy ®️, she had the privilege of personally being mentored by Marisa Peer, a world-renowned therapist. Rapid transformational therapy is a combination of NLP, CBT, psychotherapy and hypnosis.
It has been Danielle’s personal experiences that have led her to where she is today. At age four, her father died of suicide, which installed in her a determination to help prevent people from ever becoming despaired again. Her best friend passed away at fifteen, which solidified Danielle’s determination to live life to the full. Growing up with a single parent, they struggled with money, but Danielle was very inspired by her mother’s work ethic, which had a huge impact on her.
As a teacher in some schools, the politics and bullying amongst staff were toxic and she suffered from depression, stress and burnout and was treated badly at her most vulnerable time of being pregnant and having a newborn and that’s why she’s passionate about helping teachers. She wishes that she had someone to help her at the time.
She has been through the journey of setting up successful businesses on her own while undertaking childcare as a single parent of two after she divorced and strongly believes anyone can achieve anything they put their mind to with grit, focus, and passion.
