In a predominantly technology-driven society, children often spend significantly less time outside than the older generation did as kids. However, the joys of outdoor play are not lost. 

There are several staggeringly obvious mental, physical, and psychological benefits for your young ones' development, all wrapped in the joy and fun of playing outside.

Mental health has become an increasingly hot topic over the last few years. Although there is a general misconception that younger children don't suffer from conditions such as anxiety, OCD, depression or stress disorder, this simply isn't true. Encouraging hands-on play time outside may have a positive effect that directly corresponds to your child's mental health. Mycobacterium Vaccae is a bacterium found in soil, which has been proven to activate a small group of serotonin-releasing neurons when the bacterium is absorbed. It is not a cure for any mental disorder, but regular contact with soil-related activities will stimulate the release of an essential happy hormone.

As a parent, you have a significant role in shaping your children's health. Children need a variety of vitamins and minerals that can't always be obtained exclusively through food sources. One such example is Vitamin D. Recent studies have shown that increased autoimmunity can be directly linked with insufficient Vitamin D. Autoimmune diseases occur when your body's cells start to fight against each other.

Another important function of Vitamin D is that it promotes muscle and bone development by helping the body absorb calcium.

Many parents hammer on washing hands frequently, especially with younger kids, to prevent the spread of germs. While this is important, it is also important to expose your child's immune systems to foreign bacteria, since this will allow them to build up antibodies to fight germs, resulting in less frequent illness. Neglecting this will often result in adults catching colds quickly, getting sick whenever they travel or visit new places, and their body's inability to heal itself. Encouraging your children to climb trees, build and play in the sand, help in the garden, and spend time outdoors will strengthen their immunity by safely exposing them to foreign bacteria.

Like all our other organs, the eyes develop with age. Spending time outside offers a wider range of depth perception. When children spend too much time keeping their eyes fixed on a TV or any screen, they risk developing shortsightedness and even slightly blurry vision later in life.

Organs like the heart and lungs benefit from fresh air, but a lesser-known benefit is better eyesight and overall eye health. Our eyes don't have their own oxygen supply, and thus, they absorb the air in their direct atmosphere. Minimising the amount of time spent indoors and increasing time spent outdoors in fresh air can reduce scratchy or itchy eyes. Looking after your child's eyesight will lessen possible vision-related complications in the future.

We only have one body in this lifetime. As parents, educating our kids on the various benefits of being outside is essential. 

By instilling in them the value of nature and the long-term benefits of spending time outdoors from a young age, we can be confident that they will carry this knowledge into their teenage and adult lives, reaping the rewards of a healthy and active lifestyle.