With the COVID-19 pandemic still threatening our safety, the thought of taking walks with our children outside can be terrifying. However, with stringent social distancing and hygiene efforts, outdoor recreation can be safe for families. As noted in studies on EurekAlert, access to nature is integral to maintaining mental health amidst the pandemic. After all, too much time indoors and away from nature can be harmful to you and your children’s well-being.
So, if you aren’t convinced yet, here are five more reasons to go on walks with your baby.
It develops your child’s brain
Going outdoors is an essential part of early childhood development. Even while lying down in a pushchair, your child receives all kinds of stimulation when outside that they wouldn’t get from being indoors — from the colours of nature to the sounds of birds and other wildlife. All of these factors help promote synapse formation in the brain. As such, a discussion on Greater Good Magazine explains that simply going on trips to the park can support your child’s cognitive development — making it a valuable addition to your routine.
It helps create better sleeping patterns
According to the National Childbirth Trust, babies that get plenty of daylight sleep better at night. This is because sunlight activates the pineal gland, which is responsible for regulating the body’s circadian rhythm — a function that is still underdeveloped in babies. Thus, walking outdoors and getting regular natural light helps establish a set sleeping pattern for your little one, which in turn lets you get plenty of rest yourself.
It’s a bonding experience for the family
Taking walks fosters an emotional bond with your child. You can make it easier and more convenient to take your baby outdoors safely by getting a top of the range pushchair — which has additional features with comfortable in mind. One thing you should consider, however, is the direction in which your baby is facing. For one, a study involving nearly 3,000 parents in Britain found that parents talked to their children more when using parent-facing pushchairs. This could possibly contribute to better language development in infants too. Fortunately, modern pushchairs can be modified to be parent-facing or world-facing, as iCandy’s selection of pushchairs demonstrates. While parent-facing mode gives you an opportunity to interact with each other while you walk, the world-facing setting is great if you want to immerse your child in nature more. On the other hand, if you’re planning to go on shorter walks, consider using a baby sling which facilitates skin-to-skin bonding with your child.
It helps you stay physically fit
With the pandemic forcing most gyms and fitness centres in the UK to temporarily close down, the government has prioritised outdoor activities as the best means to maintain physical fitness. For parents who have knee or ankle problems, or who simply don’t have enough energy for high-impact cardio, outdoor walks are a great alternative. A regular brisk walk helps reduce the risk of heart disease, strokes, and cancer. Additionally, it’s been shown to improve blood circulation, endurance, and posture. If you’re looking for outdoor wear that’s both stylish and functional, The Independent’s guide to walking trousers has a few recommendations you may want to check out.
It’s also good for mental health
The effects of the pandemic have been stressful for all of us, and staying indoors all this time has only amplified that anxiety. Shake off the cabin fever and take care of your mental well-being by going on a nature walk. Like we’ve mentioned earlier, exposure to green spaces has a positive impact on your mood and can help boost productivity. Walking with your baby is one way to do that while also getting in a light workout while you’re at it.
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons for both parents and children to take a walk. Start to make walking a habit and don’t forget to be mindful of social distancing rules as well as wearing a mask, so you can reap all the benefits in the safest way possible.
