As the days get colder and shorter it can be so tempting to stay indoors, however, there are many benefits of venturing outside all year round.
Escape the germs
Often, parents think that children will catch a cold by spending time outdoors in the winter. However, spending time indoors with poor ventilation and the central heating on actually increases the chances of germs and illnesses spreading from person to person.
Boost your mood
Vitamin D is created when our skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D helps to increase serotonin levels in the brain, which in turn helps to regulate our mood.
Regulate sleep
Exposure to natural daylight - particularly before noon, signals to your child's body that it is time to wake up. This resets your child's sleep/wake cycle meaning that by the end of the day they are ready for a good night's sleep.
Physical activity
It is important to remember that your child is still growing during the winter months and that long periods of inactivity are not good for their muscle development. Winter activities provide opportunities for your child to move their body in different ways eg walking on slippery surfaces, dragging a sledge up hill, walking through snow, skating
Build resilience
The changes in the environment during the winter months offer children new opportunities to challenge themselves eg negotiating slippery, icy surfaces, freeing items frozen in the ice, climbing snowy slopes, steering a sledge
The reward
Whether this is a cup of hot chocolate, campfire lunch, cosy blanket or returning to a warm house, you can't beat that feeling of invigoration and sense of satisfaction that comes from having spent time in the great outdoors.
Did you see our post on how to dress for outdoor play? https://www.instagram.com/p/CVsp00VquZo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link