Showing posts with label outside. Show all posts
Showing posts with label outside. Show all posts

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Book Review: The Nature Fix By: Florence Williams

The Nature Fix by Florence Williams is a book I just finished.  I found it to be an interesting read and a worthy discussion about how being outside is good for us!


It isn't fast, and there was a section that was a bit slow. Overall, I would recommend this book to others. I enjoyed reading about the different countries and what they are doing to get more of their population back into nature.

The chapter on **Please Pass the Hacksaw** about education and the lack of being outside was shocking and scary.  Especially when the author talks about the largest untapped population for antidepressants in the US are preschoolers and how that group is now being put on antidepressants! (Don't get me started!)

The Nature Fix is an insightful read.  I would certainly suggest reading this book!  Below are several photos I took of sections of the book.  I wanted to comment/share this info in hopes more people will read The Nature Fix.  Readers should sit down and question how often they get outside, unplug from screens, how to deal/question with lack of recess, and outdoor time for kids.

Below all photos are from the book: The Nature Fix By Florence Williams. Photos are not in chronological order of the text.

I have felt for all of my years as a classroom teacher, we could certainly learn a lot more from the Finnish educational approach.

This statement about depression and loss of healthy years almost brings me to tears.  Seeing first-hand friends and family members suffer from depression is heartbreaking.  The time and often years wasted in pursuing good mental health is staggering.  There has got to be a better way to achieve healthy mental wellbeing for people.
One of the issues with all of this research is how one will be able to measure the benefits of being outside.  For myself and others, we seem to know intuitively that being outside makes us healthy. We crave the outdoors and this time heals us daily.

This is just so freaking scary! Why do kids have to sit still all day long, why are we so fixated on testing small children in schools all the time, why has this been allowed?

What we have done to learning and education.  As I have always said to parents,
"
Please don't let school get in the way of your child's education/learning."
I am not saying that technology is evil and we shouldn't use it. Teaching moderation would be a gift to kids and adults.  One tool that I have seen work well is a pocket caddy by the door where phones are placed by kids friends and family members.  A parent was very upset with friends of their kids posting photos on social media from within their home by young visitors.



I loved this chapter intro!


Exactly!

A collective UGH!

Time to try to add some of nature back into our lives I would say.


Nature and being outside actively or quietly is nothing but good for our minds and bodies it is even free for the most part!
If that doesn't make the act of simply walking sound intriguing! HA!

Reading done outside by candlelight has to be good for us I am sure!
Please treat yourself to an insightful read:
The Nature Fix By Florence Williams 




Thursday, November 9, 2017

A Kid who totally Rocks! Inupiaq Whitewater Kayaker in North Carolina



I have been very lucky to know this young athlete for years.  She is a talented skier, climber, kayaker, skijorer, and to top it all off a very humble young person!  I will admit at times I am envious of her lifestyle!  Mallory is a fortunate young gal who has the outdoors at her fingertips! She has great parents who have shared their love and traditions of being outside.

One of the many things I enjoy as a ski coach is getting to know the athletes and their families.  I have lifelong friendships built around outdoor activities.  I treasure these friendships and memories.  I love showing up to some outdoor event where there are longtime outdoor friends.  It just seems like within seconds you are right back to that last adventure or planning a new one without missing a single heartbeat.

I hope to stay friends with Mallory and her family for years to come.  Mallory is maturing into a future guide and she may even take up that profession.  I hope she does!   To Mallory and all those up and coming young outdoor athletes/adventurers who love the wild open spaces: 

Never forget the peace & happiness the outdoors gives to you & keep sharing that love with others!