Finding Ecohappiness

Sandi Schwartz

Description

• Advance reader copies
• Targeted endorsements
• Targeted reviews in book trade publications
• Targeted reviews in publications and websites covering parenting, environmental issues, technology, society, and general interest
• Targeted reviews on subject websites
• Targeted reviews in major newspapers
• Targeted television, radio, and podcast interviews
• Targeted guest blogs
• Regional author tour in New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Atlantic City, Miami, Palm Beach, and Boca Raton
• Promotion on author’s website
• Social media promotion

Key selling points:

• Easy and fun activities to reduce stress and anxiety, increase happiness, improve mental health, and foster family bonding.
• Practical advice parents can put to immediate use to improve their children’s lives.
• Comprehensive tool kit of nature-based stress-reduction tools for families
  Combines scientific research on the benefits of nature with hands-on activities parents can immediately do with their children.
• Written for all parents, even parents who aren’t especially outdoorsy, no matter their socioeconomic status, access to green spaces, or location.

Audience:

• Parents of school-age children, especially mothers
• Other caretakers of children
• Psychologists
• Pediatricians
• Teachers and other educators

A common symptom of stress and anxiety is feeling like we cannot breathe. It can be very frightening, and lead to more panic. On the other hand, the breath is central to a mindfulness practice and can instantly help calm us down. Having a breathing practice has been scientifically proven to minimize stress and anxiety, and is a simple tool to teach our children to use in times of stress.60 Best of all, it is portable so they can access it whenever they need.

Fortunately, there are a multitude of breathing exercises that can slow our breathing and mitigate unsettling emotions. Some involve breathing in a particular pattern while others are all about visualization. The most important thing is to teach children how to breathe from their diaphragm; this is when the belly expands and fills up with air. Small, shallow chest breathing only exacerbates anxiety. It is also recommended to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth for the most relaxing effect.

We can pass along this important instrument to our kids by using some fun, playful approaches that relate to nature:

• Dandelion breath. Either get a real dandelion or ask your children to use their imagination. While holding it about an arm’s length out in front, have them take in a big inhalation through their nose, hold for a few seconds, and then slowly blow the dandelion so the seeds disperse through the air.


• Wave breathing. If you have access to a beach nearby, you can have your kids breathe in and out to the rhythm of the waves cresting and crashing. You can also use a video to create the same effect.


• Sunrise breath. Invite your children stand up tall with their arms by their sides. Tell them to raise both arms high above their head until their fingers touch and their arms are in a round shape like the sun. Hold for a few seconds and then exhale strongly, allowing the arms to gently fall back down.


• Introduction
• Chapter 1: How Nature Heals
• Chapter 2: Awe and Gratitude
• Chapter 3: Mindfulness
• Chapter 4: Creative Arts
• Chapter 5: Outdoor Play
• Chapter 6: Travel/Adventure
• Chapter 7: Volunteering
• Chapter 8: Food
• Chapter 9: Animals
• Chapter 10: The Path Forward

Sujets

• Santé et bien-être
• Bien-être émotionnel
• Bien-être émotionnel
• Vie de famille
• Parentalité et Éducation des Enfants
• Événements Familiaux et Traditions
• Événements Familiaux et Traditions
• Bien-être
• Bien-être
• Bien-être
• Bien-être
• En famille
• Nobody's Girl
• Happiness
• General
• Parenting
• Self-help
• General officer
• Motherhood
• Personal Growth
• Self-Management
• Stress Management
• Activities
• Parentalité
• Parentalité
• Parentalité

Informations

• Publié par: Linden Publishing
• Date de parution: 03 mai 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 1
• EAN13: 9781610353878
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 14 Mo

Extrait

Praise for Finding Ecohappiness
“As a mom, I saw first hand how connection with nature lightened everyone’s mood. Finding Ecohappiness is a beautiful and informative guide to calming our mind and replenishing our souls in nature for ourselves as well as our children.”
—Kyra Sedgwick , actor/director
“In a time when children are under unprecedented environmental and social stress, Sandi Schwartz makes an impassioned and practical case for focusing on nature connection as a way to build their mental health, resilience and happiness. Finding Ecohappiness is, in short, a prescription for reducing the loneliness of our species.”
—Richard Louv , author of Last Child in the Woods , Vitamin N , and Our Wild Calling
“What a gift this book is to parents looking to improve the mental health and happiness of their children and themselves! Drawing on the growing body of research on the healing power of nature, and packed with practical activities, Finding Ecohappiness provides a road map for reaping nature’s benefits and healing the planet at the same time.”
—Marti Erickson, PhD, cohost of the Mom Enough podcast
“Sandi Schwartz offers us a rich and practical guide to finding connection between ourselves and the natural world. The practices described in this book will help you and the ones you love step through the real doorways to the world outside and through the barriers in our minds to a relationship with nature that heals and sustains.”
—John Muir Laws , scientist, artist, educator, and author of several books including The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling
“ Finding Ecohappiness is filled with important activities that children and families need right now. This book is a huge inspiration and an essential tool in our arsenal that we will utilize again and again!”
—Giselle Shardlow , Kids Yoga Stories
“Now more than ever, we could all benefit from greater connection to the healing powers of nature. In Finding Ecohappiness , Sandi Schwartz does an amazing job of bringing together engaging stories, cutting-edge research, and practical tips on how to tap into the therapeutic benefits of the natural world. A timely and essential book!”
—Jonah Paquette, PsyD, author of Awestruck: How Embracing Wonder Can Make You Happier, Healthier, and More Connected
“I highly recommend this book to any family interested in accessing the many benefits of the natural world. The tips and activities are practical and simple to adopt, while also being assured to help any child or family gain the full health and happiness benefits nature provides.”
—Dennis Kiley , founder, EcoPsychology Initiative
“ Finding Ecohappiness is a welcome and needed addition for every home and classroom. Tools and tips are shared throughout, and the checklists and resources at the end of each chapter are ready made for busy parents, teachers, and caregivers. Bravo!”
—Harriet Shugarman , award-winning author of How to Talk to Your Kids about Climate Change
“Through personal experiences, expert interviews, and social science research, Sandi Schwartz provides a comprehensive, accessible guide to using the natural environment to boost your family’s mental health. If you struggle with anxiety or just want to find a bit more ecohappiness, you should definitely check out this book!”
—Shannon Brescher Shea , author of Growing Sustainable Together: Practical Resources for Raising Kind, Engaged, Resilient Children
“With compelling scientific research, concise storytelling, and actionable tips, Finding Ecohappiness will help families harness the awesome power of nature to stay connected, reduce stress, and increase happiness.”
—Natalie Silverstein, MPH , author of Simple Acts: The Busy Family’s Guide to Giving Back
Finding Eco happiness
FUN NATURE ACTIVITIES TO HELP YOUR KIDS FEEL HAPPIER AND CALMER
SANDI SCHWARTZ
Fresno, California
Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer
Copyright © 2022 by Sandi Schwartz. All rights reserved.
Cover image courtesy Shutterstock. All interior images courtesy of Canva, unless otherwise noted.
Published by Quill Driver Books
An imprint of Linden Publishing
2006 South Mary Street, Fresno, California 93721
[phone] / [phone]
QuillDriverBooks.com
Quill Driver Books and Colophon are trademarks of
Linden Publishing, Inc.
The content of this book is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition or disease. You understand that this book is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a licensed practitioner. Please consult with your own physician or healthcare specialist regarding the suggestions and recommendations made in this book. The use of this book implies your acceptance of this disclaimer.
ISBN 978-0-941936-50-7
135798642
Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Schwartz, Sandi, author.
Title: Finding ecohappiness : fun nature activities to help your kids feel happier and calmer / Sandi Schwartz.
Description: Fresno, California : Quill Driver Books, [2022] | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021043429 | ISBN 9780941936507 (paperback) | ISBN 9781610353878 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Nature--Psychological aspects. | Children and the environment. | Outdoor recreation for children. | Nature study--Activity programs. | Anxiety in children--Treatment.
Classification: LCC BF353.5.N37 S355 2022 | DDC 155.4/1891--dc23/eng/20211109
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021043429
Contents Introduction Chapter 1: How Nature Heals Chapter 2: Mindfulness Chapter 3: Awe and Gratitude Chapter 4: Outdoor Play and Adventure Chapter 5: Creative Arts Chapter 6: Animals Chapter 7: Food Chapter 8: Volunteering Conclusion: How Your Nature Habit Can Heal Your Family and the Planet Notes Index Acknowledgments About the Author
To my dear children, who bring a tremendous amount of joy and awe to my life every day.
To my loving husband, my rock, who encourages and supports me to follow my dreams.
Introduction
TORTUROUS headaches, stomach pain, dizziness, tingling fingers, feeling like the floor is moving up and down, zaps throughout my body, a metallic taste in my mouth, brain fog. And I cannot forget the many times I was so dizzy and breathless that I was convinced I was going to collapse right then and there. These irritating, painful, troublesome symptoms of anxiety and panic have disturbed my life in profound ways.
I remember as a young child being so nervous before leaving for school in the morning that I felt nauseous. For many years, I refused to eat breakfast because of this agonizing sensation. I also have a clear memory of being at a friend’s birthday party in third grade where I did not know anyone attending except for the birthday girl. I was so sick to my stomach that I passed on the pizza placed in front of me and ran off to the bathroom to collect myself. Middle school math class brought sweaty palms and a racing heart as I feared that the teacher would call on me to provide the answer to a complicated equation. Fast-forward to the end of my first semester at college when I suffered unbearable and frightening chest pains after receiving a poor grade and dealing with roommate conflicts. I guess you could say that anxiety was an unwelcome guest that accompanied me throughout my youth and into adulthood.
For too long, my battle with stress and anxiety remained undiagnosed and unmitigated. It was not until my own motherhood journey dealing with infertility and a high-risk pregnancy that I realized what was going on. The intense anxiety and panic attacks that appeared postpartum were the tipping point that pushed me to seek answers. All I wanted was to feel better so that I could take care of my baby and be the best mom possible. After numerous trips to doctors over the years with bizarre symptoms that turned out to be psychosomatic, many hours of cognitive behavioral therapy, and my own science-based research, I discovered ways to manage my stress and anxiety and return to a balanced state of mind, body, and spirit (at least most of the time). I have come a very long way. I am now aware of what is happening and how to tap into some powerful tools to reset and relax so I can enjoy life to its fullest, especially with my son and daughter, now in eighth and fourth grades.
Upon reflection, I found important lessons during some of these most challenging moments in my life that led to a positive path filled with inspiration and passion. These struggles gave me the desire to help others who are battling stress and anxiety, especially children. For nearly six years, I blogged under the name Happy Science Mom to help parents guide their children to better manage stress and improve well-being through a tool kit based on the science of positive psychology. I recently relaunched my website and blog under the new name, Ecohappiness Project, to highlight many of these same tools—including mindfulness, volunteering, nutrition, exercise, awe, gratitude, and creativity—through a nature lens. This is the tool kit that I wish I had growing up. My goal is to give my children—and all children—the ability to turn to some simple, natural tools when they feel distraught. The last thing I want is for anyone to get stuck in the anxiety quicksand as I did.
Throughout my journey, I discovered many ways to feel calmer and happier and noticed that nature is the common denominator in many of these practices. I have found solace in nature to relieve stress and anxiety through activities like walks in my neighborhood, bike rides by the water, painting nature scenes, and environmental volunteer projects. When I was having a meltdown my senior year of college because law school no longer seemed to be in the cards, a good friend took me on a walk to enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossoms in Wash