Study suggests, ‘Children who spend significant time outdoors could have a stronger sense of self-fulfillment and purpose’
The fact that spending time in the great outdoors can lead to greater spiritual connection may not come as a big surprise to many people, but it is nice to see some research and validation.
What is considered a ‘significant amount of time’? In a study published in the Journal of the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, researchers looked at children who played outside for 5-10 hours per week.
The study looked at children around the ages of 7-8 years. Many years ago, it would not be uncommon for children of this age to play outside for 5-10 hours per day!
The children in the study (who played outside) displayed:
Peacefulness and some believed that a higher power had created the natural world.
They had feelings of being amazed at nature in general and also felt a connection with the earth and a responsibility to protect it.
This is huge and really amazing. Many would argue that this is something that the world needs – children who feel peaceful and amazed at the world, along with a feeling of responsibility to take care of it.
The benefit is for humankind itself and the world we live in – a world that selflessly offers us so much.
Check our more of the study at Science Daily, and find out what methods the researchers used to gather data for the study..
Cheers to spending time in the outdoors!
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