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From Vision to Vitality - the Many Benefits of Time Outdoors
In today’s tech-driven world, where screens dominate communication, learning, and even play, outdoor activities have taken a backseat. This means that people in general tend to miss out on the many benefits that time outdoors can bring to everything from wellbeing and general happiness to bone mineral density and eyesight.
Let’s explore the science-backed benefits of outdoor time, with a particular focus on learning experiences, and eyesight development in our children.
Stewart Aitkenhead, Assistant Head of Senior School (Student Progress)
Benefits of Time Outside
Learning experiences that take place outside of the traditional classroom have many benefits, not least with regards to engagement and motivation. The new and different environment for students captures students’ attention and will often make lessons more dynamic and interactive.
At Dulwich College Suzhou, we take pride in our commitment to providing such engaging opportunities for our students. Recently, the Year 9 Science students engaged in an experiment to determine the Terminal Velocity of some objects. They did this outside, within the safety and nature of our campus, surrounded by trees and plants.
Let’s explore the science-backed benefits of outdoor time, with a particular focus on learning experiences, and eyesight development in our children.
Stewart Aitkenhead, Assistant Head of Senior School (Student Progress)
Benefits of Time Outside
- Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Research shows that spending time in nature can significantly reduce stress and improve overall mental health. As Yao, Zhang, and Gong (2021) found, “exposure to the natural environment can lead to stress reduction, and ultimately improve health.” - Bone Mineral Density
It is commonly understood that safe exposure to the sun is the main way that we obtain vitamin D3, which is vital for the absorption of Calcium into our bones. - Improved Sleep Quality
Natural light, especially around sunrise and sunset, greatly supports our bodies’ circadian rhythm. This means we can fall asleep easier at night, and wake up feeling more refreshed. - Reduced incidences of Myopia (short sightedness)
This is discussed in more detail later in this article.
Learning experiences that take place outside of the traditional classroom have many benefits, not least with regards to engagement and motivation. The new and different environment for students captures students’ attention and will often make lessons more dynamic and interactive.
At Dulwich College Suzhou, we take pride in our commitment to providing such engaging opportunities for our students. Recently, the Year 9 Science students engaged in an experiment to determine the Terminal Velocity of some objects. They did this outside, within the safety and nature of our campus, surrounded by trees and plants.
Here’s what they had to say!
“It was great doing this outside as the natural light and nature made us feel more relaxed.”
“I’ll remember this experiment; it was fun and interesting!”
“It was great doing this outside as the natural light and nature made us feel more relaxed.”
“I’ll remember this experiment; it was fun and interesting!”
Eye Development in Children and Teens
One of the most fascinating benefits of outdoor time is its role in preventing myopia (short-sightedness). In 2008, Rose et al did a study into the factors affecting the development of short-sightedness in children, by comparing two sets of children of similar ethnic origin, in Sydney and in Singapore. (Rose et al, 2008)
They found that while only 3.3% of the 6- and 7-year-olds in their sample in Sydney required glasses, 21.9% of children in their Singapore sample were short-sighted.
The researchers investigated a large number of potential different causes for this disparity, including genetic factors, reading time, learning time, computer games, etc. They discovered that nearly all of these factors were similar for both populations, but there was a big difference in the amount of time that each group spent outside.
Specifically, the children in Singapore spent an average of 3.05 hours every week outside, whereas the children in Sydney were outside 13.75 hours a week.
While correlation does not guarantee causation, this research has been repeated for other populations and these yield similar results. As Xiong et al. (2017) confirmed in a meta-study, “Increased time outdoors is effective in preventing the onset of myopia as well as in slowing the myopic shift.”
While the specific mechanism for this preventative effect is not fully understood yet, the two main theories are:
One of the most fascinating benefits of outdoor time is its role in preventing myopia (short-sightedness). In 2008, Rose et al did a study into the factors affecting the development of short-sightedness in children, by comparing two sets of children of similar ethnic origin, in Sydney and in Singapore. (Rose et al, 2008)
They found that while only 3.3% of the 6- and 7-year-olds in their sample in Sydney required glasses, 21.9% of children in their Singapore sample were short-sighted.
The researchers investigated a large number of potential different causes for this disparity, including genetic factors, reading time, learning time, computer games, etc. They discovered that nearly all of these factors were similar for both populations, but there was a big difference in the amount of time that each group spent outside.
Specifically, the children in Singapore spent an average of 3.05 hours every week outside, whereas the children in Sydney were outside 13.75 hours a week.
While correlation does not guarantee causation, this research has been repeated for other populations and these yield similar results. As Xiong et al. (2017) confirmed in a meta-study, “Increased time outdoors is effective in preventing the onset of myopia as well as in slowing the myopic shift.”
While the specific mechanism for this preventative effect is not fully understood yet, the two main theories are:
- UV in sunlight promotes a hormone in children that slows and stops eye elongation. If children do not get enough natural light, then this hormone is not released, and as such children’s eyes continue to elongate, causing eventual short-sightedness
- The outdoor environment forces children to look at objects both in the distance and close up, as such exercises those muscles more, and results in less myopia
Recommendations
As children grow up, experiencing the natural world will support their development, both with regards to their mental wellbeing and their physical growth.
From a quantitative perspective, spending around 20 minutes outdoors in sunlight is regarded as sufficient for bone mineral density development. While a weekly walk in nature can boost overall wellbeing and ease feelings of anxiety and stress. When it comes to eyesight development and reducing the risk of short-sightedness, aiming for 2 hours of outdoor time in daylight each day is a great goal to strive for.
That said, it’s essential for children to wear sunscreen and a hat when necessary, and we should avoid outdoor activities during times of high pollution.
Let’s Embrace the Outdoors!
Suzhou offers countless opportunities for outdoor fun - whether it’s exploring parks, hiking in the hills, kayaking in the canals, or engaging in any number of outdoor sports and activities.
By acknowledging the importance of outdoor time, we can support our children’s physical and mental development while creating lasting memories in nature. Let’s step outside and enjoy the sunshine together!
As children grow up, experiencing the natural world will support their development, both with regards to their mental wellbeing and their physical growth.
From a quantitative perspective, spending around 20 minutes outdoors in sunlight is regarded as sufficient for bone mineral density development. While a weekly walk in nature can boost overall wellbeing and ease feelings of anxiety and stress. When it comes to eyesight development and reducing the risk of short-sightedness, aiming for 2 hours of outdoor time in daylight each day is a great goal to strive for.
That said, it’s essential for children to wear sunscreen and a hat when necessary, and we should avoid outdoor activities during times of high pollution.
Let’s Embrace the Outdoors!
Suzhou offers countless opportunities for outdoor fun - whether it’s exploring parks, hiking in the hills, kayaking in the canals, or engaging in any number of outdoor sports and activities.
By acknowledging the importance of outdoor time, we can support our children’s physical and mental development while creating lasting memories in nature. Let’s step outside and enjoy the sunshine together!
Yao W, Zhang X, Gong Q. The effect of exposure to the natural environment on stress reduction: a meta-analysis. Urban For. Urban Green., 57 (2021), Article 126932
Rose KA, Morgan IG, Smith W, Burlutsky G, Mitchell P, Saw SM. Myopia, lifestyle, and schooling in students of Chinese ethnicity in Singapore and Sydney. Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 Apr;126(4):527-30. doi: 10.1001/archopht.126.4.527. PMID: 18413523.
Xiong S, Sankaridurg P, Naduvilath T, Zang J, Zou H, Zhu J, Lv M, He X, Xu X. Time spent in outdoor activities in relation to myopia prevention and control: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Acta Ophthalmol. 2017 Sep;95(6):551-566. doi: 10.1111/aos.13403. Epub 2017 Mar 2. PMID: 28251836; PMCID: PMC5599950.
