Mental health issues used to be taboo to talk about, but more people are opening up to the idea that mental health is as important as physical health. 1 in 5 adults have a mental health disorder in any given year, and children can also be affected.

What you may not know however is that you can make your child less likely to develop mental illness as an adult, and also reduce the likelihood of them developing one as a child, with just one simple change.

Spend time outdoors with your child

Children who are exposed to nature are not only less likely to develop a mental illness, but also less likely to develop mental health problems as an adult. A recent study conducted just last year in 2018 found that kids who spend time in nature are happier adults

The study was conducted in Denmark, using over 1,000,000 citizens. Because the amount of data was so huge, the scientists could even control for other factors that might skew the results, such as socioeconomic factors. The wealthy after all, typically live near and have better access to green space than poorer people.

The study found that even when controlled for other factors, spending time in nature made a big difference in how happy children were as adults.

How much is best?

The more the better. Spending time in nature can lower incidents of mental health problems by as much as 55%. This has huge implications for the future of city planning, and of how we handle our children. A walk in the park could be more helpful for your child than all the medication in the world.

The next time you plan a family outing, consider how you can make it a natural one. Whether it's Pokemon Go with the boys, a play date at the beach, or a camping trip, spending time outside has incredible benefits for children and adults alike.

https://www.adventure-journal.com/2019/02/study-kids-who-spend-time-in-nature-become-happier-adults/