Oasis In Troubling Times. At the very least 2020 will be remembered as a year of stress and uncertainty. Both are detrimental to physical and mental health. The kite enthusiast that shops at Tumbleweed and Tarantulas has long known that stress is easily cured with a bit of string, a nice breeze, a clear sky with just a few fluffy clouds and a kite. Now, there is scientific evidence that confirms the therapeutic powers of kite flying.
Medical science has an increasing body of evidence that stressed people are sick people. In fact some studies indicate that stress can be as deadly as cigarette smoking. People that are exposed to long periods of stress tend to experience more depression and bouts of anger, and more illnesses. As a result from gyms to pharmaceutical companies, reducing stress has become big businesses. And yet, numerous studies have found simply flying a kite is an easy way to relax the mind and let go of daily stressors causing problems.
Physical activity in the fresh air has long been advocated as a means to alleviate stress. Again, kite flying. The walking, the running, and the sway of keeping up with the kite will contribute to stress release, and can even be a part of a regular physical fitness program. Then there is the socialization aspect. Relaxing with a shared activity also has stress relieving benefits.
Flying a kite can also alleviate anxiety. And in a year such as 2020 with COVID 19, a presidential election, societal unrest, and economic uncertainty we are all as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Numerous phycological studies have found that meditating, out door exercise, and activities shared with friends all are excellent ways to alleviate anxiety. Again, kite flying.
Oasis In Troubling Times. There is another benefit to kite flying that is often overlooked. That is improved flexibility and balance. Increasingly we live in a sedentary world. Long hours spent working at a computer can result in muscle strain and stiffness of the neck. What do you do when flying a kite? You look up. You Look around. You loosen the neck. You improve balance. You straighten the spine. You twist.
Kite flying is more a wonderful way for a child to spend a cool fall afternoon. It is a great activity for the entire family. It is a survival skill for 2020. It is a key to improved mental and physical health. It is a prescription free way to escape the pressures, the rigors and the worries of a day in a COVID 19 world.
Written by Jim Hinckley of Jim Hinckley’s America
