THE BENEFITS OF PLAYING OUTSIDE

Despite the fact that the benefits of children playing outside are substantial and significant, children nowadays often spend their time-unfortunately-glued to the television set, computer screen, cell phone, or other technological gadget. However, children who aren't spending enough time outside are missing out.
No matter the time of year or their particular age, children can benefit greatly from playing outside. There are several obvious physical benefits:
Exercise
Obesity in children is a growing problem around the world, particularly in North America. While diet plays a major role in a child's weight and overall health, physical activity is also a significant factor. North Americans, unfortunately, are becoming notorious for diets high in fat, sugar, sodium, and chemicals and low in important vitamins and minerals, as well as for a general lack of physical activity.
However, kids naturally love being physically active, whether they realize it or not. Why not give them more opportunity to realize and explore this natural love by letting them play outdoors, using age-appropriate supervision and activities, as necessary? They will have fun and get some much-needed exercise at the same time.
Playing outside will not only help prevent obesity, but it will also help children build stronger bones and muscles, improve their cardiovascular health and lung capacity and function, help them sleep better at night, and reduce their risk of disease, to include diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
Vitamin D
Children often lack sufficient vitamin D, which is found naturally in sunlight-the best source of this vitamin. Vitamin D is necessary for the body to be able to properly use and absorb calcium and also improves the immune system and reduces inflammation. Children who don't spend enough time outdoors are at risk of vitamin D deficiency, which can cause health problems.
The benefits of children playing outside are not only physical but also psychological.
Laughter, the best medicine
Studies have shown that playing outside helps children to laugh more, which, in turn, helps relieve stress; improve the immune system, helping protect kids against viruses and infections; and increase mental health and alertness.
The great outdoors: a great teacher
The great outdoors makes a great teacher for children. Playing outside teaches a child about nature and the environment; how to play, share, and get along with other children; how to be adventurous and take appropriate risks; how to use reason and logic; and how to be resourceful and use their imagination.
Outside activities
While children certainly don't need fancy equipment to be able to play well, and happily, outside-running, jumping, climbing, playing tag, hide-and-seek, or other simple games, and exploring are all fantastic outdoor activities-many children enjoy using or playing with something while outside. Outdoor toys, balls, skipping ropes, bicycles, and scooters, for example, can quickly and easily enhance a child's outside-playing experience.

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