For educators, health professionals, and community leaders who work directly with children and families, Research on the physical and mental health benefits of spending time outdoors continue to mount. Studies have demonstrated that time in nature may help prevent childhood obesity as well as serve as a useful tool to manage attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Additional research summarized by the National Institutes of Health shows that regular exposure to nature and green space can also support mental well-being, including reduced stress and improved mood.

It's more important than ever to help families eat healthier and exercise more. If you're someone who plays a front-line role in influencing healthy behavior, you can help moms, dads, and kids make better choices.

Looking for the perfect opportunity to jumpstart your efforts? Help families celebrate National Public Health Week, an annual observance coordinated by the American Public Health Association. National Public Health Week is held each spring and brings communities together to highlight issues important to improving our nation’s health. VIsit APHA to learn more and find current dates and themes.

National Public Health Week regularly highlights prevention as a key theme, providing a natural opportunity to talk with families about making healthier choices. In particular, helping them understand how the environment affects their health and well-being. Many times, moms and dads want to do better—they just don't know how. That's where you come in.

For starters, share some talking points (and actionable ideas) with families, such as:

• Exposure to nature can reduce stress levels in children and support emotional well-being.
  Take action: Get outside together as a family to soak in nature, whether it's enjoying a backyard butterfly garden or hiking on a nearby nature trail. Need some ideas? Download the Get Into Nature for Better Health brochure to share with families wondering what to do and where to go outside.
• There are more than 20,000 parks and 11,000 playgrounds in U.S. cities.
  Take action: Need help locating a nearby park? Search the database at Find Your Park, a collaborative effort between the National Park Foundation and the National Park Service. No green spaces nearby? Head to your nearest playground. To find one nearby, use the free Playground Buddy app that makes it easy for families to get outside and get active together.
• When kids are more connected with their food source (such as through gardening), they're more likely to eat fruits and vegetables.
  Take action: Whether families plant a garden at home or classrooms create a school garden, kids love digging in the dirt, planting seeds, and watching their gardens grow. Need some inspiration? Read about how Project Produce Garden sparked healthy lifestyle changes at Glenvar Middle School in Salem, VA. No time or space for your own garden? Visit a local farmer's market with your kids weekly to pick out fresh produce. Families can also explore practical nutrition guidance from the USDA’s MyPlate program:

Whether you work in a classroom, clinic, or community setting, NEEF offers ready-to-use tools to help children and families get outside and learn through hands-on experiences. Explore our No Child Left Inside resources for outdoor games, activity guides, and event ideas that support learning, health, and connection to nature, or download the Children & Nature Infographic for an easy, shareable way to spark conversations about the benefits of outdoor learning and play.

_{Originally published: March 2019 • Updated}