Stress. We see you.

From our sleep to our digestion, our stress level is intricately linked to our physical health as much as it is to our mental health.

Stress impacts us at a cellular level and causes our body to do things that impact our physical health - such as raising our blood pressure, causing our heart to beat erratically, makes our breathing shallow and rapid, and releasing high levels of cortisol, a toxic stress hormone.

The more intense version of it, toxic stress, has been making its way into the mainstream news thanks to a global pandemic.

What is the difference between regular stress and toxic stress? It’s when our body isn’t returning to it’s normal baseline after stressful experiences end (because often times, they don’t).

You may not be experiencing the toxic version, but I think it’s fair to say that we as caregivers would love to be able to reduce the harmful effects of stress for our families at home and in the classroom. The past two years have challenged us all in ways we didn’t even know possible. Our stress-response system has been working overtime and there’s no end in sight.

This is what flocking is all about! Reducing and managing stress or toxic stress to improve symptoms (behaviors) and overall quality of life.

You may remember step one and step two to fostering your flock, but if haven’t had the chance to read those yet, check them out.

When we’re fostering our flock, we’re working on making small connections with the people we care about and if we don’t have the ability to make those small connections, we call on our bench - our people- and we give ourselves grace when we need it.

Step 3 is all about adding an extra flocking boost 💥 to those steps.

**You and your flock can double down on stress-busting and flocking by taking things outside.** 🌤

The research is pretty overwhelming.

A study done at Cornell in 2020 reveals: “Researchers found that 10-50 minutes in any natural space was the most effective to improve mood, focus and physiological markers like blood pressure, cortisol levels and heart rate.” - Lauren Geall, Stylist UK

Don’t worry. This doesn’t need to involve dragging your family deep into the woods of the White Mountains (although I continually try).

It can be done anywhere fresh air and a little green is available. This includes walking a city green space or planting a deck garden. It can be as simple as taking a step outside to breathe in the fresh air, engaging your 5 senses in an active way.

How does nature help our brain?

When we’re stressed, our brain retreats to survival mode, the most basic, primal mode. In order to calm that part of our brain 🧠 we have to talk to it using the language it understands.

The language of our stress brains is movement and the 5 senses - sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste. Luckily for us, nature speaks that language!

Movement Matters

Our brains need movement to regulate.

Walking, running, skipping, and jumping all help our brain calm down when we’re in survival mode because these movements activate neurons in that primal region that has temporarily taken over. It directs the neurons to engage in something productive. Movement signals neurons to redirect activity in a way we have control over. The result is calming.

Kids are naturally really good at movement and play, and nature gives them the biggest playground to do this. Seizing the opportunity to join them in their play not only calms your stressed brain, it also forms that positive connection crucial for flocking. It’s a stress busting double down! Splash in puddles, collect worms, plant some herbs in little pots to watch them grow, have a backyard fire roasting marshmallows, and the list goes on.

Take it outside

Looking for outside inspiration and motivation? Think about gifting with nature in mind. 🌳 Kid friendly lanterns, compasses, headlamps, flashlights, bug houses, binoculars, and seeds make great gifts and get kids interested in doing things outside. None of these are paid advertisements; they’re just things I like.

While you’re out there moving as a family, actively engage your 5 senses. Again, nature provides sensory engagement naturally. Ask kids to stop moving and just listen what do they hear. Ask open-ended questions about what they see or smell. You can give them lightweight and small nature identification books and if they can write, journals to keep track of discoveries. You’ll be surprised at how well children can tune-in.

Forget the plan book

The best tip I can give when you’re trying to enjoy nature with kids (or just in general): don’t have an agenda.

That may be the hardest thing for us to do. Our anxiety likes to be in charge. It makes us temporarily feel calm, but it also sets us up for failure. Life isn’t predictable and neither are children, so as a caregiver or parent, we do them a disservice when we try to plan everything.

Aiming for the peak of the mountain may be your goal, but think about how empowering it will be to let the kids lead. If they get distracted along the trail because they find a giant rock 🪨 and they’re pretending it’s a pirate ship, let them explore instead of herding them along.

Brains love the opportunity to be free and explore in their own ways - something ALL of us could do more of in our goal-driven society.

A little initial discomfort on your end makes for well-regulated brains and therefore greater happiness for your flock.

The Takeaway:

Nature naturally regulates us. Research proves that being outside and engaging our five senses reduces the physical effects of stress on our bodies. By taking things outside, you and your flock can double down on stress-busting and flocking.