Doctors are looking at new ways to treat mental health in youth, and the new “cure” could be some time spent outside. When the pandemic hit, schools were shut down and everyone was told to “stay home.” That they were only to leave for essential purposes, like doctors appointments, groceries and medications. This included children, and playdates were cancelled, birthday parties were moved virtually and mom found that her child was spending a lot of time at home, in front of a screen. One mother shared her story of this was affecting the health of her daughter.
According to CT Mirror, one mom took her daughter to the emergency room due to chest pain. After some investigating, doctors discovered that it was anxiety, and that the girl had not been outside in weeks. The doctors then wrote her a “park prescription,” and stated that she just needed to get outside and go for a walk more.
This mental health crisis has led a lot of professionals to ‘nature therapy,’ a system that is used in Japan. They call it “forest bathing,” and it has nothing to do with baring it all, and everything to do with exploring nature with all of your 5 senses. They have specific sites set up for people to go and “bathe.”
Scientists have found that the act of ‘forest bathing’ can lower blood pressure and stress, improve concentration and memory, lift depression symptoms and boost the immune system.
Even without the presence of a global pandemic, the mental health issues in children are growing and becoming a concern for parents and medical professionals everywhere. In 2019, the state of Connecticut had 15,300 reports of children and youth that needed crisis intervention. They stated that the number did drop in 2020, but only because schools were closed, and this is where they get the majority of their calls from. Emergency room visits for children due to mental health have also increased.
Nature therapy could be the answer, and it is backed up by science. According to a study that was published in The Journal of Pediatrics, showed that spending time outside reduced anxiety, depression and negative behavior in children from 7 to 12-years-old. This is not the only study that has proven the benefits of spending time outside, but now doctors seem to be taking it more seriously, and using it as part of their diagnosis and treatment plans for children they are helping. A family walk after dinner every night could be the best thing a family does.
Sources: CT Mirror, The Journal of Pediatrics