Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

Taking Fitness Outside

Being physically active is good for your body and mind, but new research is showing additional mental health benefits when you exercise outdoors. In this YP4H webinar, learn the unique benefits of being physically active outdoors and learn some great tips for making outdoor physical activity a part of your daily life! View Webinar Here: http://go.osu.edu/FitnessOutside   

WRITTEN BY: Shawna Hite, Healthy People Program Specialist, OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences

REVIEWED BY: Donna Green, OSU Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Erie County

Nature Deficit Disorder

That phrase was coined by author Richard Louv in his book “Last Child in the Woods” to describe the phenomena of children and youth becoming disconnected from nature. Adults can certainly suffer from nature deficit disorder, but chances are, most adults spent more time outside as children than our kids do today. Research is linking […]

WRITTEN BY: Shannon Carter, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Fairfield County

REVIEWED BY: Candace Heer, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Morrow County

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Photo taken and edited by Shannon Carter; original idea for text on picture taken from popular press

SOURCES:

  • Children and Nature Network. https://www.childrenandnature.org/about/nature-deficit-disorder/
  • Kellert, Stephen R. Building for Life: Designing and Understanding the Human-Nature Connection. Island Press, Washington. 2005.
  • Li, Qing. Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environ Health Prev Med. 2010 January; 15(1): 9–17. Published online 2009 March 25. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793341/
  • Louv, Richard. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder Algonquin Books, 2005.
  • PBS.org. Getting Your Kids to Plug Into Nature. http://www.pbs.org/parents/experts/archive/2012/03/getting-your-kids-to-plug-into.htmling Your Kids to Plug Into Nature

I Think I’ll Go For A Walk Outside

“I just can’t stay inside all day, I gotta get out, get me some of those rays.” These words often bounce around my brain like the cheery melody of “Sunshine Day” (sung by the Brady Bunch). When I’m walking, sometimes I find myself being able to think creatively or find I’m just in a better […]

WRITTEN BY: Kristen Corry, Family and Consumer Science Educator, Ohio State University Extension Butler County

REVIEWED BY: Melinda Hill, Family and Consumer Science Educator, Ohio State University Extension Wayne County

REFERENCES:

  • "Stanford Study Finds Walking Improves Creativity" Retrieved from: http://news.stanford.edu/news/2014/april/walking-vs-sitting-042414.html
  • "How Walking in Nature Changes the Brain" Retrieved from: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/07/22/how-nature-changes-the-brain/?_r=0

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