So much of our lives are spent indoors under artificial lights, glued to blue-lit screens, and racing around according to manufactured schedules under the guise of productivity. While our current generation is likely the most busy, it's also among the most stressed out, sleep deprived, and forgetful of our greater purpose in life. And I’m not just talking about adults. Our children are feeling it, too.
How many of us have children struggling to get adequate sleep, regulate their emotions, or complaining of boredom any time their schedules are not packed to the max? Too many.
How many of us struggle to bond with our children because we, and they, are too distracted to really talk to each other, pay attention, or even maintain basic eye contact? Too many.
How many of our children, and maybe even ourselves, are struggling to deeply connect to our faith because we no longer feel that it applies to our everyday lives? Too many.
A regular dose of nature can help.
The Nature Effect
In recent years, many articles and books have been published detailing the effects of what has become known as Nature-Deficit Disorder. Families are spending so much time indoors and on tech that it’s setting us back mentally, physically and emotionally, especially our children.
According to The Child Mind Institute, an independent non-profit providing education and resources on children’s mental health, the average American child is said to spend only 4 to 7 minutes in outdoor unstructured play, while they spend over 7 hours per day in front of a screen. Read that again. SubhanAllah.
The fix is simple: spend more time outside and in nature.
Regular time in nature has sweeping benefits for children and our families, including decreased stress levels, increased focus and attention, improved physical fitness, and heightened self-awareness and self-discipline.
When I first started to take my children for hikes, there was one thing that always stood out to me: the noise.
I’m a mother of five children, Alhamdulilah. Life indoors with my bunch tends to be loud, rambunctious, and feels like it’s constantly bouncing all over the place (like they often do). Put those same children on a hiking trail and everything quiets down almost instantly.
Their full-bodied laughter and happy shouts are softened by the thick carpet of soil and leaf litter. Their usually stumbling, crashing bodies now move gracefully and intentionally as they climb over rocks and tree limbs. Even their attention and focus changes. While one child collects sticks to build a shelter, another analyzes fallen leaves, while another watches a bird search for its food. All are fully engaged.
I now take weekly hiking trips with my children. Whenever we are out, the time feels slower, we all feel calmer, and when we get home our minds and bodies are refreshed, Alhamdulilah.
The largest benefit? Direct and meaningful connection to each other and to Islamic lessons that are vital for our lives.
Nature as a Reminder of Allah
If you open the Qur’an, you’ll find many stories and references to Allah’s creation in nature. Some references are there to remind us of who Allah is:
“It is Allah who created the heavens and the earth and sent down rain from the sky
and produced thereby some fruits as provision for you and subjected for you the ships to sail through the sea by His command and subjected for you the rivers.”
(Surah Ibrahim, 14:32)
Other references are there to steer us away from false forms of worship:
“And of His signs are the night and day and the sun and moon. Do not prostrate to the sun
or to the moon, but prostrate to Allah, who created them, if it should be Him that you worship.” (Surah Fussilat, 41:37)
Others help us to better understand Allah’s unique attributes:
“With Him are the keys of the unseen - no one knows them except Him. And He knows
what is in the land and sea. Not even a leaf falls without His knowledge, nor a grain in the darkness of the earth or anything - green or dry - but is ‘written’ in a perfect Record.”
(Surah An-am, 6:59)
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and his companions lived in a time of low technology. Work and life revolved simply around the natural cycles of the days and seasons. Reminders of nature and its inner workings were clear and obvious signs to anyone who paid attention to their surroundings.
Our lives are different now. More and more we become isolated, overscheduled, and disconnected to the natural happenings in Allah’s creation. But by slowing down, and making intentional efforts to spend regular time in nature, we can connect deeper to our faith and to one another as a family.
What better way to reflect on Allah’s vast knowledge than by walking under a literal forest of falling leaves in autumn and realizing that Allah knows about each and every one? What more immersive way is there to understand the concept of Allah’s provision than by working together to grow an edible garden and witnessing over time which plants Allah decides will and will not thrive? What better way to understand tawakkul - reliance or trust in Allah - than by staying up together after fajr prayer to watch the birds outside your window as they wake and chirp excitedly and begin their daily searches for food?
Every moment spent together in nature is an opportunity for us to connect to one another while also connecting with our beautiful religion.
Getting Started in Nature
If you’re new to nature exploring as a family, have no fear. There are many ways to begin and always something that everyone can enjoy.
Step 1: Have a family meeting.
Discuss with your family what kind of outdoors experiences they would like to start with. You can expect the answers to vary depending on personal interests as well as the ages and stages of your children.
Step 2: Schedule a “nature date.”
Pick a day that works for everyone and set a recurring “nature date” in your family calendar. You can start with once a month for example and then work your way up to weekly outings.
Step 3: Be patient as you transition.
As you begin, especially if your children are highly involved in screen usage, start slow and expect some amount of resistance. Your children, and maybe even yourself, will need time to adjust and repeat exposure before you really start enjoying yourself unplugged and outdoors. Also, try to resist the urge to steer every conversation. Just enjoy the time, wind down, and let things flow. You’ll be surprised at how open your children become with their thoughts and conversation when they’re allowed to freely explore outdoors.
Step 4: Invite others to join you.
Naturing with friends is fun and can add an extra incentive for resistant kids to try something different. Start with a small group so you can offer added support and answers questions as they arise.
InshaAllah, with time and intention, your explorations in nature will help rekindle the dimming light of connection in your family and spark a new love and appreciation for the many lessons Allah has given us through His creation.
Melissa Barreto is the Co-Founder of Wildflower Homeschool Collective, LLC., a homeschool organization based in Northern New Jersey. She is a mother of five who greatly enjoys exploring nature, nature-based play, and learning outdoors with her family. She also manages a moms and kids hiking group in her local community where families can connect to have wild adventures together.
Add new comment