I first wrote about the health benefits of being outdoors with your toddler when Auckland was still in a state of level 3 lockdown. But now that the weather has turned and we’re not quite as inclined to be outside, it may be prudent to look for the health benefits of being outdoors again. If you have a toddler, you already know how hard it is to entertain them indoors all the time. They need to run around, and that’s easier outdoors. Indeed, being outdoors has a number of perks for health, and that includes better sleep!
The beach is a good option
When I consider open spaces, the beach is my first thought. When the tide is out there is all that sand to run around on (just be mindful of your kids near the water). Auckland alone has more than 80 nearby beaches, so you’re spoilt for choice. If you’re a New Zealander, chances are you already have your favourite beach.
If beaches aren’t your thing (sand in sandwiches isn’t everyone’s idea of a picnic), there are a number of parks and bushwalks to explore around our green country. Indeed, just heading outdoors means getting closer to nature and that alone means improved wellbeing. Let’s look at just some of these health benefits that can also improve sleep.
The benefits of the beach
Ever since physicians of the 16th century first suggested that a dunk in the cold ocean was a remedy from anything from melancholy to heat stroke, cold salt water has been the wonder drug to cure the pressures of urban life, pollution, and the general deterioration of society (Society has always had its ills). That’s even before the seaside resorts of the 18th century. As a sleep coach, I consider sleep the panacea for our modern-day ills. But I also concede that a day at the beach (or just being outdoors in nature) helps us get more restful zzz’s. Even if you don’t go swimming. Note: If you are tempted to go into the water this autumn make sure you are doing it safely by checking out SwimSafe NZ.
General consensus is that just being near the sea is relaxing. Hearing it, even more so. Listening to the sound of waves has been shown to alter brain patterns, lulling you into a deeply relaxed state, reducing stress and increasing a sense of calm.
Visiting the seaside also encourages physical activity, for both you and your toddler (even if it’s just running after them).
Even if it’s simply a walk on the beach, you’re getting your daily exercise. Besides, walking on sand increases resistance; giving your legs more of a work-out and burning more calories than a flat stable walk (and ideally slowing your toddler down, just a little). And going barefoot on sand gives your feet a good exfoliation.
The benefit of nature in general
Getting outside into nature or even viewing scenes of nature has been found to have benefits; it can reduce anger, fear, and stress, and in turn, increase pleasant feelings. What’s more, nature helps us cope with pain and increases our feeling of calm and leads us to be more balanced in terms of our mood. Definitely a health benefit of being outdoors.
And when Mum and Dad are calm, our toddlers tend to follow.
As we head into Winter, we want to make more effort to get the whole family outside. Getting sunlight on our skin by being outdoors gives us a daily dose of vitamin D. Vitamin D is a precursor to our sleepy hormone melatonin. So, getting outside really does improve sleep (and good sleep improves, well, everything). Doing this safely around lunchtime can also reset our circadian rhythm, or body clock – and help us reset our days and nights. This will help those of us parents who may have succumbed to a few too many Netflix binges and staying up far too late at night. It’s also going to help when the clocks go back early April (in New Zealand).
Lunchtime picnic anyone? Take a teddy or two and make it a fun toddler outing.
Older and younger children love lunchtime picnics with the family, despite the hidden health benefits of being outdoors (don’t tell your teens it’s “healthy”). And those benefits are also the ones that will help your toddlers (and you) sleep well!
Please share your favourite Auckland spot to get out and about with your toddlers. Because variety is also helpful.
Kim is a Mum with a BSC. and the founder of Cherished Sleep. As a sleep specialist she helps people of all ages realise the benefits of good sleep through sleep hygiene, healthy sleep habits and behavioural modification. She also loves a good writing session and has written multiple blogs on the topics of sleep, parenting and wellbeing. You can follow Kim on Facebook, Insta or Pinterest.
More information (and references) here:
(1) https://exploringauckland.com/best-beaches-in-auckland
(2) https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/08/the-historic-healing-power-of-the-beach/279175/
(3) https://www.safeswim.org.nz/ (4) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/featurednews/title_658463_en.html
(5) https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-does-nature-impact-our-wellbeing (6) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32156230/ (7) https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2013/04/benefits-slumber
(8) https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/emres/longhourstraining/light.html