That calm, centre-point within each of us is what we call our Zenter. It’s our internal compass. And it’s either strengthened or weakened by our daily practices – our habits. The 9 happy habits are the practices that work together like spokes in a wheel to strengthen our Zenter. One of these happy habits is the practice of Going Outside.
Going Outside Means
Spending time in nature
How Going Outside Works
Spending time outside is like medicine for our bodies and brains. In nature we shift into a relaxed state, better absorb the nutrients from our food and even build stronger immune systems. Time spent outdoors also boosts our mental acuity and creativity and improves our sleep and mood.
There is no wifi in the forest
but there is a better connection – Unknown
Spending time in nature, looking up at the stars (and maybe making wishes), walking along a beach or hiking through the woods, is as necessary to our health and evolution as the food we eat and the air we breathe.
I took a walk in the woods
and came out taller than the trees
- Henry David Thoreau
Teaching Kids About Going Outside
We like to keep things simple and teach concepts in ways kids learn best; through stories, creativity, play and hands-on experiences. You can use any of our materials to teach about Going Outside. Like, the many ways to use the Feeling Cards (for example, choose one card and head outdoors to find something that represents that feeling, or gather items to create a collage representing a selected feeling, or collect rocks to create some feeling faces). The Happy Habit Challenge contains 3 Go Outside tasks including noticing, learning something new and choosing a talisman. Plus, one blank card allows you and your kids to custom-make unlimited challenges that take you outside. Start by introducing the habit using the I GO OUTSIDE handout.
When life feels too big to handle
Go outside
Everything looks smaller
when you’re standing under the sky
- L.R. Knost
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