1 week Ago By George Citroner
Thirty-three schools with 1,015 students from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds participated in the study. Half the schools (intervention group) received a specific program involving 12 weeks of classes for two hours per week, while the other half (control group) did not and remained in traditional classroom settings. The study found no significant difference in mental health symptoms between the two groups overall.
However, for children who already had higher levels of mental health issues, the intervention group showed slightly better results in reducing symptoms. “We found that children with higher mental health symptoms at baseline showed greater reductions in symptoms following the intervention,” Geoffroy stated. This suggests that nature-based programs may offer “targeted benefits” for children living with higher levels of mental health vulnerabilities and potentially act as an equalizer of mental health among school-age children, according to Geoffroy.
At the conclusion of the three-month program, teachers noted improvements in students’ behavior, particularly in those experiencing issues such as anxiety, depression, aggression, and impulsivity. Interviews revealed that children appeared more calm, relaxed, and attentive in class after their time in nature. “Yes, spending time in nature with children can offer mental health benefits,” particularly for those with an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis, Geoffroy told The Epoch Times.
At the broader level, research increasingly supports that nature exposure can help alleviate ADHD symptoms, she noted. “Importantly, families don’t need to live in the countryside to enjoy nature,” she said. “Nature is accessible everywhere, even in cities.
” Simple activities like walking in a local park, playing outdoors in any season, bird-watching, or cloud-gazing “can provide children with valuable moments of connection and calm,” said Geoffroy. In the future, Geoffroy and her team aim to explore similar interventions for teenagers to address well-being and climate anxiety and help foster a deeper connection to nature..
