Angelo Dellomo of Mays Landing is a retired educator who profoundly admires the New Jersey Pine Barrens. An early advocate for laws to preserve this land, Dellomo understands how important the preservation of the Pine Barrens is to nature and humans alike. Having authored two books on New Jersey Pine Barrens history, Angelo Dellomo firmly understands the significant role this land has played in the lives of residents over the years. In addition to the environmental benefits of 1.1 million acres of plant life, the land represents an opportunity for people of all ages to connect with nature. Today, Angelo Dellomo of Mays Landing will share some of the health benefits of nature in hopes that more parents will introduce their children to the beauty of the Pine Barrens or other natural landmarks.
During his time as an educator, Angelo Dellomo witnessed a shift in the everyday activities of American youth. A global pandemic only expedited the rate at which childhood activities moved indoors. The digitalization boom has significantly impacted how much time children spend outdoors enjoying play. While research continues to be conducted, it is clear that a lack of exposure to nature is not helping our youth. The American Medical Association cites that childhood obesity rates have doubled over the last two decades. There’s also been a significant uptick in the number of prescriptions written for kids struggling with anxiety and depression. While many factors are at play, Angelo Dellomo believes strongly that spending more time in nature can assist people of all ages in dealing with these health issues.
For starters, when children grow addicted to their screens, they can start to put off sleep in order to spend more time scrolling social media feeds. Sleep is pivotal to healthy development. Spending time outside is a great way to burn off energy and have a child looking forward to bedtime. Every time a person spends just half an hour in nature, they are disconnected from their mobile device and refocused. Lowering stress levels will lead to better sleep patterns, ultimately impacting a child’s ability to perform their best in school.
The physical benefits of getting outside are apparent. Reducing the amount of time glued to the couch while playing a video game or scrolling a phone and increasing the amount of time running around outside helps increase fitness levels. There’s also a direct correlation between sunlight and our energy levels. Raising our Vitamin D levels thanks to natural sunlight can help strengthen bones and lessen the risk of heart disease, amongst other health issues later in life. Optometrists have also noted that increasing outside time can help children avoid nearsighted issues.
Angelo Dellomo of Mays Landing believes the most significant advantage of increased exposure to the great outdoors comes from mental and spiritual benefits. Numerous studies have claimed that children who spend significant time in nature are less likely to suffer from ADHD symptoms. Connecting with nature is something that has helped humans throughout their existence. Multiple studies show that having contact with dirt can improve mood and lower stress levels. It also doesn’t hurt to boost immune systems by having some natural exposure to germs.
Cell phones and other mobile devices are not going away. Like so much of life, it’s about finding a balance. Angelo Dellomo believes that if young people can appreciate Mother Nature from an early age, they can build a lifelong love of nature. This love will benefit them physically, mentally, and spiritually. It will also help ensure a better planet for generations to come.