A place for nature enthusiasts to find their niche & share narratives.
Fun fact: A roost is a resting place where owls go to after hunting or during non-breeding seasons. Roosts are different from owls’ nests, but can be in similar locations, such as tree trunks, perches, barns, and even chimneys!
Greetings from the Roost! This area is for YOU to catch up on the latest and greatest news from OWL Outdoors. It will feature articles written by subject matter experts to help expand your knowledge of nature and the many health and wellness benefits that being outdoors has to offer! In this debut article, we will be focusing on the mental and physical benefits that nature therapy (also known as “ecotherapy”) has to offer for children, military veterans, and trauma survivors.
The number of students receiving special education services in our school systems is at an all-time high. While some may view this as a positive fact since more students’ needs are being identified, others see this as one of the lasting impacts that the COVID pandemic had on this crucial, yet vulnerable, population. Depending on funding, belief systems, access to health care, and a variety of other factors, many of our students struggle to reach their fullest potential, despite educational and other interventions. Yet, nature remains a free and very beneficial enterprise. Studies have shown that being outdoors enhances learning and academic performance by reducing stress and anxiety, and offers a multi-sensory instructional environment, free from technology.
Sadly, many of our military veterans suffer from mental illness, substance abuse, unfair and detrimental stigmas regarding receiving psychological treatment services, and even access to these resources. Coordinated and volunteer outdoor recreational activities improve outlook, overall wellbeing, and psychological outcomes for military service members.
There is a staggering 70% of the global population that has experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. While these events vary in origin, some of the more common ones are witnessing death, natural disasters, and car accidents. Luckily, we have nature! Being outdoors, and taking in natural environmental stimuli is an ideal way for trauma survivors to lower anxiety and depression, improve mood, and increase mindfulness and ability to focus.
We hope you enjoyed this edition of “Nooze from the Roost,”! Below, you can find quick breakdowns and hyperlinks to all of the topics we discussed. Happy hooting, friends!
-Kim Blair, RN, BSN, CLC, MSCN
3-11-2025
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