Outside helps Kids
A Breath of Fresh Air: How Getting Outside Helps Kids Battling Cancer
Nature brings powerful healing, peace, and resilience to each of us. Learning and managing the precautions that come with cancer may feel overwhelming, and outdoor time gets pushed to the side in favor of safety. Nevertheless, there are ways to benefit from fresh air, sunshine, and light physical activity while protecting your child.
The Physical Benefits
The old saying, “Nature is the best medicine,” might be right. The effects of being outside are astounding, not only for physical health but also for mental and emotional well-being. Nature physically benefits the body by raising vitamin D levels, improving sleep, lowering cortisol levels, boosting the immune system, strengthening muscles, enhancing cognition and brain function, and supporting cardiovascular health.[1] An indirect effect of being outside is movement. Movement causes blood to circulate throughout the body, carrying oxygen to the muscles and organs, speeding up the healing process. The physical benefits alone are fantastic reasons to prioritize outdoor time, but since we are holistic beings, our minds and spirits also benefit.
The Mental & Emotional Benefits
Grounding in nature benefits our internal world by reducing anxiety and depression, improving memory, decreasing pain, and lengthening our attention span.[2] [3] Sunlight and movement release our “feel-good” hormones, endorphins, and melatonin. Endorphins are our natural pain relievers, melatonin regulates sleep/wake cycles, and dopamine and serotonin let us feel happy and calm.[4] When you mix sunlight, fresh air, movement, and laughter together, you can get positive results! Nature seems to be designed to help us relax and feel better, making it the ideal location for family memories, love, and laughter. Intentionally create cancer-safe outdoor family activities to break the monotony of doctor’s visits, treatments, and hospital rooms. It will benefit your whole family. Nature brings light, life, and healing into all our souls.
Tips for Getting Outside Safely
Please always speak with your care team about your child’s specific precautions. These tips are general outdoor cancer precautions:
- Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
- Avoid swimming
- Stay hydrated
- Use sun protection
- Keep a first-aid kit nearby
Cancer treatments intensify sun sensitivity, so it’s important to follow UV precautions. Children should wear UV protective clothing, especially during summer. Sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and strategically using shady areas are great options. Summer mornings and evenings are ideal times to enjoy the great outdoors; the sun’s rays are weaker, and the cooler temperatures lower the risk of heat exhaustion.
Watch out for the Sun
Heat exhaustion presents as headache, nausea, cramping, tiredness, dizziness, feeling cold, looking pale, and excessive sweating.[5] If you suspect heat exhaustion, find an air-conditioned environment, rest, and hydrate. Immediately find help if the person faints, is confused, or cannot drink. Hydration may be the most challenging precaution. Your child may frequently feel nauseous, so have a variety of fluids available: water, fruit, electrolyte drinks, popsicles, and ice are healthy options. Empower your child by allowing them to choose what to drink. Avoid offering caffeinated beverages, such as soda and coffee, which worsen dehydration.
Arguably, swimming is the most enjoyable summer activity. Swimming is not recommended for anyone undergoing chemotherapy, although radiation therapy has different precautions. Radiation causes sensitivity to pool chemicals, and the body area being treated should never be submerged in the water. Speak with your physician before pool, but it is possible for some children. Swimming in unmaintained bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and streams, should be avoided by everyone.
These waters often contain bacteria that a weakened immune system cannot effectively fight, increasing the risk of illness.[6] When hiking or playing outdoors, remember to keep a first-aid kit nearby, in places such as your home, car, or travel bag. At a minimum, have bandages and antiseptics on hand to properly clean any cuts or scrapes. If your child rides a bike, scooter, skateboard, or roller blades, be sure they wear protective gear. Preventing injuries and infections is easier and quicker than healing them after they happen. Take precautions, but be sure to let your child have fun playing outside!
Outdoor Activities Ideas
As a family, decide on the activities you enjoy and switch them as needed. Take into consideration your geographical location, activity level, physical restrictions, season, age, and size of your family, and the length of time you want to spend outdoors. Create a goal of being outside for at least thirty minutes a day, splitting the time into sections if needed.
Go outside longer when able, but always keep it maintainable. On low-energy days, you could: have a picnic or a tea party, take a short wheelchair-accessible walk, blow bubbles, rock on a hammock, read out loud, try backyard birdwatching with binoculars, and have a way to identify the birds, such as an app or book. On higher energy days, you could: plant and maintain a container garden, plan a scavenger hunt, throw a ball, try backyard tent camping, invite friends to visit a playground, draw with sidewalk chalk, or paint on canvas.
Build Community
Community involvement builds relationships and a sense of self-worth; both are great for mental health. Explore your local community to see if you can join an outdoor club or activity. Host an in-person or virtual walk with friends, family, and other Sassy Carmen families to raise awareness about childhood cancer. The Sassy Carmen Foundation accepts volunteers to host fundraising events, such as their Bowling for Hope fundraiser, and to teach classes. If you have a hobby, skill, or profession that you would love to share through a class, please support their mission by getting involved. To get involved, visit Sassy Carmen’s webpage on Ways to Help. A class could be art, exercise, computer skills, cooking, crocheting, or anything else. Bonus points if you host an outdoor class!
Final Thoughts
Nature brings peace, laughter, and holistic healing to you and your family. From boosting immunity and decreasing stress levels to building relationships and creating memories, nature works wonders. Your backyard is nature just as much as a forest in a state park is nature. Being outside is what is important, not the length of time or location. Remember to conserve energy and do not become completely exhausted. The goal is to have fun and create memories while reaping the health benefits of being outside. Nature is everywhere, and activities can be modified to fit a variety of needs. Talk with your doctor, weigh the safety precautions and the benefits, and find fun outdoors.
References:
- Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence
- Endorphins: The brain’s natural pain reliever – Harvard Health
- Heat exhaustion – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
- Summer safety tips for cancer patients | MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Understanding Nature and Its Cognitive Benefits – Kathryn E. Schertz, Marc G. Berman, 2019
[1] Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence
[2] Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence
[3] Understanding Nature and Its Cognitive Benefits – Kathryn E. Schertz, Marc G. Berman, 2019
[4] Endorphins: The brain’s natural pain reliever – Harvard Health
[5] Heat exhaustion – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
[6] Summer safety tips for cancer patients | MD Anderson Cancer Center
