The Benefits of Nature On Our Mental Health
We love the work of Raise Me To Read and their mission of “Ensuring all children in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro succeed in school and life.” They do this by focusing on three key areas:
School Readiness: “By providing families, caregivers, and educators with early literacy resources, community connections, and innovative supports, we can ensure that children come to school ready to learn”
School Attendance: “By tracking attendance data, working with organizations addressing attendance barriers, and encouraging safe and welcoming spaces, we can reduce chronic absences and improve school and life outcomes for children.”
Out of School Learning: “By creating situations in which children can read, play, and explore, caring adults help children maintain their learning. Activities at home and in the community teach children to understand the world around them and their place in it. “
We were so happy to hear from them about one their latest campaigns for the summer, “Great Outdoors Month” and how nature helps enhance mood and learning. We put some items together to help with the initiative and have included them below!
“Practicing yoga and mindfulness helps build happy, strong, resilient brains, and Bringing nature Into The Mix adds that extra element of calm, healing and Connection to ourselves, others, and the Earth.” ~ Jen Armstrong, HERE
Thank you to Raise Me To Read for all that you do!
PRACTIcING MINDFULNESS IN NATURE
Here are a few nature-themed mindfulness activities to help promote a sense of calm, healing and connection. The recent pandemic has placed a lot of extra strain and demands not just on ourselves but on our little ones too. So why not get outdoors to help re-focus and calm the mind. Take a break during the day and can call upon these methods for those times where stress is amounting to toxic levels and you and your little ones need to take a moment and recenter.
"Getting out in nature can help us feel more connected to the world around us, which can in turn help us feel more connected to ourselves. Using mindfulness to bridge the gap, we can help to build brain architecture through exploring nature mantras, observation, breathing techniques and grounding ourselves." ~ Jen Armstrong, HERE
healing mantras for connection to ourselves, those around us, and the earth
self-healing breathing technique: bee breath
mindfulness activity for kids: “summer detective checklist”
More Nature-Themed Mindful Activity Packs For The Home and Classroom
“Build Connections And Make The World Go Round”
We are social beings. We thrive by building communities and societies, by helping each other and working together. When we feel disconnected… Maybe even low, stagnant or anxious… Receiving support, and giving it, can help! Don’t forget to share your feelings. Be open to receiving and giving love… And build those connections that make the world go round.
Say the mantra: “I show love to those who support me. I am loved. I am connected to all life on earth.”
“Gentle Breezes and Bluebirds”
The spiritual meaning of bluebirds includes love, peace, trust, dedication and positive change. We thought this would make for a relevant theme right now, and the idea of being gentle on yourself too. Try the mantra: "I am peaceful. I find softness in my heart. May I be gentle on myself."
We hope you enjoy this activity pack with ideas to bring peace and calm into your day.
“Calm As A Cloud”
Call upon these calming methods for those times where stress is increasing and you need to take a moment to recenter. This is not only for the benefit of yourself and the little ones around you, but also to positively model these coping mechanisms. Find mindful activities including creative ideas, affirmations, breathing exercises and yoga poses.
