Voices is the Dorset Echo's weekly youth page - written for young people by young people.

This week Caitlin discusses the benefits of being outside.

Being outside in the fresh air can make you think about life in a more positive way.

I know this because I like to go out and take my dog for a walk.

Instead of walking around the block or around the houses in the streets, try taking your dog to the park, beach or field.

Even if you do not have a dog, ask to take someone else’s out to help them if they struggle to do it themselves. It will give you a chance to get out and explore the area where you live. It keeps you away from sitting at home playing computer games and can be a good an opportunity to get some exercise and meet friends.

Allowing children to interact outdoors improves their wellbeing. The more physical nature of outdoor play develops the muscle strength and improves cardiovascular health. As childhood obesity continues to plague the British population, encouraging physical exercise and a healthy lifestyle at an early age helps to develop healthy adults for the future.

Being outside is the perfect place for kids to shout, jump, run, hop or skip. Young children need the opportunity to use their whole body and develop their gross motor skills.

It is only when they have mastered these that they will be able to control their fine motor skills, such as using a knife and fork or holding a pencil, for instance. As a result, children playing outside can have a positive impact. According to a recent study, babies sleep better at night if they’ve had some fresh air and sunshine during the day.

It’s amazing how fresh air can blow away the cobwebs and make a world of difference to how you feel as well – especially on days when you haven’t had much sleep or are feeling low.

By Caitlin Sanderson