Children Who Play Outdoors Have Better Friendships & Psychosocial Health

Some people believe that the great outdoors pose health risks to youngsters' health and wellbeing. This isn't entirely true. A new report from Canada found that playing outdoors can improve children's peer relations and their psychosocial health.

Statistics Canada, the country's national statistical agency, recommends children aged 3 and 4 to have 180 minutes of physical activity of any intensity every day. By age 5, kids are encouraged to have at least one hour of energetic play and at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day.

A team led by Mark Tremblay from the Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario found that children who spend ample time outdoors are less likely to have problems with their peers. They also tend to have better psychosocial health than their counterparts who are always indoors.

Study.com defines psychosocial health as "a state of mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being." People who are psychosocially healthy like and take care of themselves, have optimism, are able to work well alone and with others, and can accept their mistakes. They also have empathy for other people and are capable of controlling their anger, anxiety, hate, and tension.

According to Tremblay, playing outdoors more helps children develop their interaction and communication skills, especially when they are around with real people, adults, neighbors, and their fellow kids. Tremblay added that there is a "real disconnect between what we believe is good for kids and what really is good for kids," CBC reported.

Doing physical activities in nature helps children develop resilience when it comes to, for instance, handling the cold and wet weather instead of being pampered indoors, Tremblay added. Being exposed to nature's bacteria shouldn't be feared as well.

Kids' dirty habits such as touching dirt, mud, and trees helps establish and stabilize their gut's microbe community, Parent Herald previously reported. A good microbe community trains the body to fight harmful intruders and diseases.

Public spaces such as playgrounds and parks encourage children to socialize and enhance their motor skills in the process, according to the Huffington Post. Running, jumping, and climbing with their peers are activities that all together boost friendship and good health among kids.

Parents encouraging their children to be physically active outdoors should practice what they preach, too. Moms and dads should also have regular exercises, which can be a bonding time for the whole family when done with their kids. Some physical activities that the whole family can do are jogging together, hiking, or playing catch.