Health & wellbeing articles

Why woods are good for our health and wellbeing

'Many of us feel this intuitively. But there is also an ever-growing mountain of scientific evidence, brought into even sharper focus since the coronavirus pandemic, that's painting a picture of the health benefits of trees, woods and the natural environment.'
The Woodland Trust writes about their work ensuring more people have access to woods and the benefits that nature and woods bring.

Is being barefoot in the early years catching on?

Prof Jan White celebrates the growing trend of going barefoot, and looks at the qualities and benefits for small children of an outdoor environment which allows it.
Early Childhood Outdoors (ECO), 2019

Return to old habits as babies encouraged to sleep outside in fresh air

Parents & nurseries influenced by the Forest School approach are leaving their children outside to sleep. “The health benefits of children just being outdoors & physically active is enormous & there is no evidence that any harm occurs provided babies are well-wrapped and not cold.”
The Telegraph (behind a paywall), 3 February 2018

Forest Bathing Connects Us to Nature and Better Health

What is forest bathing, how does it reduce stress, and how do you do it?
Outdoor Families Magazine, 30 January 2018

Well-being in the Woods **

Excellent report from Jon Cree – it summarises the Forest School Association 2017 conference, but also asks the question ‘ What does Forest School have to contribute to health and well-being?’ and considers Jules Pretty’s three types of engagement to increase regular attentiveness and immersion – Nature engagement; Social engagement; and Craft engagement.
Autumn 2017

Four Scientific Reasons Why Kids Should Be Outdoors

Looking at four key areas of benefit – movement development, eyesight, skin health and respect for the environment.
Outdoor Project, 9 January 2017

Green space, mental wellbeing and sustainable communities

Looking at the wealth of evidence of how the public’s health can be improved by increasing access to green and blue space and improving the quality of our natural environment.
Public Health Matters, 9 November 2016

Children need microbes — not antibiotics — to develop immunity, scientists say

Interview with Marie-Claire Arrieta, co-author of the book Let Them Eat Dirt: Saving Our Children from an Oversanitized World.
The Star (Canada), 20 October 2016

NHS should spend millions on nature-for-health plan, say wildlife groups

‘NHS England should spend millions of pounds on using nature to prevent illness & help people recover from health problems … part of a wider plan put forward by the RSPB, National Trust & 24 other groups on how the government should protect and restore UK flora & fauna.’
The Guardian, 13 October 2015

The Nature Cure

Why some doctors are writing prescriptions for time outdoors. Considering the growing field of ecotherapy and the benefits of spending time outdoors, with references to some significant research studies, and Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods.
The Atlantic (US), October 2015

Mud pies and green spaces – why children do better when they can get outdoors

‘It seems that research across many areas and disciplines now needs to be combined to fully understand the green uplift effect in many aspects of education, health, development and well-being, particularly for young people.’
The Conversation, 15 June 2015

Did you know?

A collection of stats on the benefits of physical activity for children.
Outdoor Classroom Project, c2015

Arts and Crafts Activities May Stave Off Dementia

"... people who engaged in craft activities such as woodworking or pottery were 45 percent less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment than those who did not participate in such activities, researchers found." Live Science (US), 8 April 2015.

Children Must Engage in Active Play for Optimal Brain Function

“Children must engage in active play for optimal brain function… A new study shows the brain-body connection is stronger than many people realized.”
Guardian Liberty Voice (US), 30 September 2014

Barefoot Babies

‘How keeping little feet in the buff encourages a strong foundation for optimal brain and nervous system development.’
Chiropractor Kacie Flegal, in Natural Child Magazine (US), c2008

Why kids should go barefoot more (and probably adults, too)

Nice long article about the health and developmental benefits of going barefoot, with references to research.
Washington Post (US), 29 February, 2006