Angelo Dellomo of Mays Landing is a retired educator who has authored two books on the history of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. An ally to organizations and groups that protect the Pine Barrens, Angelo Dellomo has experienced firsthand how beneficial nature can be to both the mind and body. Always looking for ways to help students achieve their full academic potential, Angelo Dellomo has always pointed to the benefits of nature. Today, Angelo Dellomo will discuss some of the ways increasing time spent outside can help a person become a better student in and out of the classroom.
Angelo Dellomo of Mays Landing understands that parents will do anything to help their child in school. There are plenty of paid services dedicated to providing students with 1-1 attention, but nature can offer some free services that can boost both physical and mental health. For instance, the digital age has led to children spending more time indoors staring at a screen than ever before. This is leading to a lack of Vitamin D, which can increase the likeliness of illness and brain fog. Spending some time in the sun can help a child think more clearly and boost their mood. Vitamin D is critical to people of all ages, but it is even more important for children as it assists the body in absorbing calcium, which is critical to strengthening growing bones. A balanced diet paired with some fun in the sun can help any child build and maintain strong bones. Vitamin D also helps people boost their immune system, which is particularly important for students who find themselves in crowded classes daily.
One thing Angelo Dellomo learned as a teacher is that a well-rested student is a more productive student. The digital age has wreaked havoc on sleep patterns for people of all ages. Not only is it detrimental to try and find sleep after staring at a screen, but it is also more difficult to stick to a sleep schedule without regular exposure to sunlight. A recent study of 50 nations found that the United States had the most students from 1st to 12th grade that were sleep deprived. When people don’t get enough sleep it can impact their attitude and raise stress levels. Angelo Dellomo can assure you that students who enter the classroom with a positive attitude have a much better chance of succeeding in their studies. Increasing hours outside can lead to a healthier sleep schedule, which will pay dividends in the classroom. Humans are programmed to have a circadian rhythm, which is thrown off when a person doesn’t get enough exposure to daylight.
ADHD is something that countless students contend with every time they head to class. A lack of focus is obviously a hindrance to optimal performance in the classroom. Many studies suggest that students struggling with ADHD found that they were able to focus a lot better after spending just 15-20 minutes out in nature. Angelo Dellomo recommends exploring nature to any student who gets home from school and struggles to focus on their homework. Going out and taking a mental health break with a quick walk can make a world of difference.
Finally, people of all ages have found that nature is often the best medicine for what ails them. Children and their parents can boost their cognitive function and lower their blood pressure by taking regular walks around their neighborhood or at their local parks. With all of the stresses of daily life, nature provides a reset button that lets anyone to take a break and boost their serotonin and endorphin levels thanks to exercise. Angelo Dellomo cannot recommend the benefits of Mother Nature enough. He has found that it can help boost mood, improve memory, aid in digestion, and even motivate a person to make smarter food choices.