Written by Mr. James Willms

Being outside has been studied and proven to reduce negative emotions and foster positive mental health. In this time of working from home and students engaging in ‘At-Home Learning’, I want to encourage you and your family to get outside daily so that you too can experience the positive effects of being outside.

Many of you know my family, but for those that do not, I am married to Lesley who teaches grade 4 at a school in Abbotsford and we have two high-energy, humorous boys named Trail (5 years old) and Albie (2 years old). We are living the reality that so many families are presently navigating; and our reality is that Lesley and I are both teaching and working from home, caring for our children, as well as supporting Trail with his Kindergarten learning engagements. Of course, there are also those essential tasks of buying groceries, preparing food, doing laundry, tidying the house and planting the vegetable garden (this last task is on my personal priority list, but maybe not essential). Some days are easier than others but one of the common threads that has kept our family positive, healthy and connected has been the time we have been spending outside.

Intentionally, we construct these times to be without phones and are fully present with what is going on in the neighbourhood and with who we are wandering with. We have been regularly going for ‘wanders’ around the neighbourhood, usually with no agenda, but sometimes with an observation challenge or game.

• How many different coloured flowers can we spot?
• Point to where you hear bird sounds coming from?
• Take a deep breath through the nose and describe the smells?
• A simple game of tag or hide-and-go-seek
• How to ‘wander’ with your young children

Other activities that we are consistently engaging in are bike riding, exploring neighbourhood greenspaces, imaginary play in the backyard, backyard games (lawn bowling), running, gardening and taking time to find a ‘sit-spot’ to meditate and decompress. Humans and the natural world are interconnected, and I believe that forests, streams, trees, flowers and all other parts of the natural world, long to share their energy with the creatures (humans included) that interact with the natural parts. I implore you to take at least 15 minutes per day and go for a neighbourhood wander, discover the beauty that abounds around us and become accustomed to the energy that some deep breaths outside will bring you.

Being outside has been studied and proven to reduce negative emotions and foster positive mental health.

Meadowridge School is strongly suggesting to students and families to take daily breaks, and when possible, take them outside. Please remember to maintain social distance from people outside of your immediate family circle, be safe and take care.