S cience W ants Y ou to S top and S mell the R oses
The Benefits of Spending Time Outside
In a 2008 survey conducted by the National Trust in Britain, children were more likely to correctly identify a Dalek from “Doctor Who” than a barn owl. Likewise, a 2010 Kaiser Family Foundation study of 8–18-year-olds in the U.S. found that the average youth spends more than 53 hours a week engaged with entertainment media. These statistics, coupled with growing concerns that children are spending less time outdoors, are leading to terms like “nature deficit disorder” and global initiatives to get kids outside. Why is contact with the outdoors so important? Researchers are answering this question by studying the benefits of time spent in nature. One benefit is that outdoor time helps kids understand boundaries and learn how to assess risk. As naturalist, author, and broadcaster Stephen Moss puts it, “Falling out of a tree is a very good lesson in risk-reward.” Not to mention, time in nature may help improve focus for hyperactive kids. In one national study of youths by the University of Illinois, participants’ attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms were reduced after spending time in a green setting versus a more urban one. This may be due to the fact that natural environments call upon our “soft fascination,” a In the modern age, love can develop between any two people even when they don’t live in the same country. This love can eventually lead to engagement and marriage with the prospect of living happily ever after. However, marrying someone from another country can turn overnight into a highly stressful and even horrible experience if you don’t know the danger signs to look for. C onnections If you met your intended spouse in the U.S., take a step back and think about how connected your partner is to the U.S. Learning why someone is in the country is an essential aspect of your relationship that should not be ignored. Do they have family here? Do they have a reliable job? Have they set up accounts under their name here? Are their possessions here? If someone is only here to get citizenship, many of these questions won’t have “yes” answers. T he A merican D reamers The dream of picking up and moving to another country can certainly be alluring, but that’s just it — a simple dream. It’s one thing to fantasize about settling down far from home but an entirely different thing
less exhausting type of focus than what is required by urban environments. Emotional benefits were discovered too, including reduced aggression, increased happiness, and improved self-esteem. Beyond just getting outside, the type of contact we have with nature also matters. Visits to nature centers and watching “Planet Earth” are two ways to experience the outdoors. But research points specifically to the importance of free play in the natural world: unstructured outdoor time when children can explore and engage with their natural surroundings with no curriculum, lesson, or activity to complete. Ever notice how kids are fascinated by the simplest things? A child visits a rose garden, but before they even get to the flowers, they become captivated by a leaf on the ground or an ant crawling on their shoe. Children are born naturalists. These are the moments we need to recapture. Take a page out of that kid’s book, and as the saying goes, stop and smell the roses — or leaves or ants — with no checklist and no plan, just time spent playing outside. to make it a reality. It’s important to see how much your sweetheart is attached to their prior culture. For some, it can be a seamless transition to move from one culture to another and back again, but others may refuse to compromise entirely. This move can often be a shock to the system, one that is especially complicated when children are involved. B acked I nto a C orner Some people feel as though they need to escape or be rescued from a place where they feel stuck or trapped. When a person is backed into a corner and has no access to support — emotionally, financially, or legally — they will fight to gain that support for themselves. Try thinking about what’s causing this person to feel as though they’re cornered enough to fight just to help themselves. Marriage is a huge commitment and should be an occasion that brings joy and possibilities. You deserve a bright and happy future. Talk to your spouse and find where they stand. If they don’t line up with your happiness, you have every right to make the choice that will lead you to a better life.
M arrying S omeone F rom A nother C ountry
Red Flags You Need to Be Aware Of
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