Common wisdom has always been that fresh air and sunshine are good for us. But what impact does spending time outside really have?

Nature Play WA CEO, Kelsie Prabawa-Sear notes that we all feel better when we are outside, whether you’re a child or an adult.

“When we go outside, we get sunshine, we get fresh air. We have nice smells and we know that we feel better, but we don’t necessarily know why.”

There is fascinating science behind why outdoor time is refreshing.

“We see a drop in our stress hormone in cortisol. Then we also see an increase in our endorphins, which are associated with happiness and pleasure. There is also oxytocin that also helps alleviate stress and anxiety. So nature just helps our body adjust to feel better just by going outside,” said Kelsie.

Getting Kids Outside

Kelsie said the best thing to do is get ourselves outside, and the kids will follow.

“If there’s nothing inside that they’re glued to, like a screen, if we go outside, they will come. Then generally we get the benefits as well.”

She said that once kids are engaged in outdoor play, they can sustain themselves for a decent amount of time.

“Once you start to recognise how much better you feel, you are more motivated to do it. Everyone feels better and generally you can squeeze it in some part of the day.”

The 2026 Indoor Crisis

It has always been important for people to go outside, but there wasn’t as much focus on it in the past. Many people accepted it as part of their day.

“For a lot of us when we were growing up, kids were outside, so no one needed to talk about it or tell us to go outside.”

The University of Kent came out with research that shows when kids have time outside, they get positive associations of smells and the feel of nature. When these children become adults who are struggling with mental health, the return to nature brings back those positive associations.

“They get better results than people that never had that time in nature,” said Kelsie.

“Not only is it good for the kids when they’re little, it’s also helping to safeguard them when they’re older so that they can sort of draw on those positive associations and help them feel better.”

Kelsie said this is due to the overwhelm of events happening in the present day that can sometimes keep us from healthy habits that are better for our overall health.

Outdoor Time

“Research shows that ten minutes of walking outside will positively impact your wellbeing and how you feel,” said Kelsie.

“Then for kids, if it’s not just walking, but running and jumping and cartwheeling and swinging, that just makes everyone feel even better again.”

She said there are added benefits of resilience that they can learn.

“There’s lots of ways that it kind of builds up on the time to just make us a little bit more emotionally regulated in the moment and then longer term helps us with our resilience.”

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

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Susan Woodworth from Walk and Talk Psychology shares why kids lie and how parents should respond and proceed with the situation.

When Do Children Start Lying?

Children can start lying as early as 2 or 3 years old. This behavior is a developmental milestone indicating cognitive growth. Lying involves a skill known as “Theory of Mind,” which is the ability to understand that others have perspectives and beliefs different from their own. This milestone shows that their brain is growing and practicing new skills, such as holding two thoughts simultaneously—the truth and the untruth they present. Lying is also connected to other social skills like empathy, cooperation, and understanding how to influence others.

Understanding Why Children Lie

Lying in children is often impulsive and not about deliberately trying to deceive. Children lie to avoid immediate trouble or consequences, or sometimes to connect socially or hide something they fear. This behavior is part of their cognitive and social development and experimenting with cause and effect.

How Parents Should Respond

Parents should avoid feelings of guilt or shame about their child’s lying, as it is a normal stage in development. It is counterproductive to demand an admission of guilt because this can lead to shame, defensiveness, and arguments. Instead:

• Stay calm and avoid getting pulled into debates over details.
• Focus on moving forward and repairing the situation.
• If the lie caused harm, such as breaking something, guide the child to take responsibility by fixing or replacing it.
• Explore the reasons behind the lying, such as fear of punishment or social pressures.

Guiding Children Toward Responsibility

The goal is not to force confessions but to help children understand and accept accountability for their actions in a supportive way. This builds trust and cooperation rather than defensiveness. If lying becomes persistent and significantly disrupts the child’s life, seeking professional advice may be necessary.

This approach encourages a calm, understanding, and constructive response to lying, helping children learn important life skills and emotional regulation.

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

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Pastor Phil Ayres lists the important aspects we should consider when we are looking for a partner later in life.

In later years we can gain wisdom, but we can also close ourselves off to new experiences or relationships. Pastor Phil explained the importance of approaching a new partnership with contingencies.

Phil shared his first points in part one of the discussion:

1. Emotional Readiness and Healing

2. Shared Faith and Core Values

3. Health and Lifestyle Compatibility

In part two of his talk, Phil outlined the final points of his considerations:

4. Honesty and Communication

“You develop a lifestyle pattern that’s a lot more entrenched than when you’re younger and you start the journey in a brand-new sort of a way,” he began.

He explained that the impact of starting this journey together spans beyond the couple, because oftentimes that couple have their own children, grandchildren and entire family systems to consider.

“And I think the principle of transparency to build trust is so important,” said Pastor Phil.

He mentioned the term ‘primary allegiance’ when referring to blending the families in order to consider everyone’s best interest. 

“For your marriage to thrive, you must give primary allegiance to your spouse and make that person number one in the life and the building that you have with agreements in place,” he said, 

The Key is Communication

“If you don’t communicate well on the expectations, you’ll disintegrate the family potentially.”

There is a separate legacy for a person in their senior years and Pastor Phil noted the importance of honouring the generations a person may have built and the inheritance that comes with it, highlighting a verse in Proverbs.

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. – Proverbs 15:22

“In other words,” he explained, “We need to talk through this and get advice get input and have wisdom in the steps we’re taking.”

5. Community and Family Support

Some couples can be met with resistance from children or extended family who don’t want their parent or relative to remarry. 

“There should be an opportunity for everyone one to experience that, and we shouldn’t be afraid of that relationship,” said Pastor Phil, noting that it is always important to talk about it. 

6. Patience and God’s Timing

1 Corinthians 13 captures the essence of true love, said Pastor Phil.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. – 1 Corinthians 13:4

“I would encourage senior people to be patient, take things step by step and have wisdom. Now, love doesn’t have an age limit and the desire of love is incredible,” he continued.

He referenced Song of Solomon 8:6:

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. – Song of Solomon 8:6

“It is so powerful, such a need and a drive in our heart,” with reference to Ecclesiastes he said, “The timing of God is so beautifully when the individual will allow that to work with the situation they’re in.”

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Pastor Phil concluded with a summary of intimacy and what that can look like in later years.

“Every type of intimacy can be experienced in a relationship apart from, in a marriage context, sexual intimacy,” he continued, “And obviously that’s the privilege, that’s the God design of married relationships… But it doesn’t mean your life stops before you’re married.”

Pastor Phil encouraged those waiting and building relationships to make the moments count and treat the relationship with the respect it deserves.

“You can build rich, beautiful, amazing intimacy and allow that marriage to be the icing on the cake when the time comes,” he concluded.

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

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Susan Woodworth from Walk and Talk Psychology discusses Child Psychology and what certain unresolved emotions look like in adulthood.

Life Colours Your Emotion

“While your feelings are true and valid, they don’t always reflect reality or the truth of the situation,” began Susan.

The Roadmap of Feelings

Feelings of loneliness do not necessarily indicate actual isolation.

“If you’re feeling lonely, it doesn’t mean that you have no friends or that no one wants to talk to you,” she explained, “Loneliness is actually just a sign or a guide. I think of it like a roadmap, a street sign, and it’s pointing you to what you need.

She argued it is actually a way to guide you to connection. 

Boundaries Crossed

Susan said that anger isn’t necessarily a response to being wronged, but rather our boundaries being crossed. 

“Anger comes down to boundaries,” she said, listing further emotions that can often be misunderstood. 

“Shame might be self-compassion you need to be kind to yourself and resentment might mean you need to look at that person that you need to forgive.”

Created to Create

For feelings of emptiness, Susan encouraged a creative outlet to fill that void.

“Anxiety or stress might be telling you to slow down, one thing at a time, and to breathe.”

Recognise the Feeling

Stepping back to figure out what you are feeling creates a space between you and that emotion, said Susan.

“This is so that you don’t get swept up with your emotions and swept away with the whole thing, you create that distance first and recognize that feeling.

Another Point of View

“The second stage is then like a fact-finding exploration,” she continued, “So, it’s curious, gentle questioning, looking for other viewpoints. “Susan said that this can be very useful for children to process and regulate as they look to understand why parents might show certain emotions. It is curious and gentle questioning.

“Maybe my mum isn’t angry at me because I was naughty this morning, maybe she’s just rushing because we’re late for school and she’s not mad at all.”

Feedback for Problem Solving

Finally, Susan outlined the important last step in gathering that information; to feed it back to ourselves and work toward a solution.

“We’ve got to look at it from different angles and then feed it back to ourselves,” she encouraged, “Work out what you need to problem solve.” 

“After you’ve done that,” she concluded, “You have a compass of where you’re supposed to go. Go in that direction.”

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

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Self-identity is how we see and understand ourselves—knowing who we are, what we believe in, and how we feel about ourselves.

Susan Woodworth from Walk and Talk Psychology explains that a stable self-identity links to better mental health, a stronger sense of belonging, and validation from others. Friends play a key role in this by providing acceptance and a space to explore personal growth.

Friends and family shape self-identity through belonging and roles. The people we choose to surround ourselves with offer acceptance, which builds a positive self-image and reinforces core values. Family roles—like being a mum, sibling, or older sister—start this process early, evolving into social groups as we age, such as sporty or academic circles where we take on roles like leader or mediator.

Friends as Mirrors

Friends act as mirrors reflecting our inner selves. Consider five people you feel strongly about: what do you admire, share in common, or find irritating? Admiration often highlights traits you’re proud of or aspire to. Common ground validates your current values and sense of belonging. Irritation signals opposites to your values—what you don’t want to become.​

Different friends naturally bring out different personality sides, showing adaptability rather than inauthenticity. If your friends don’t align with how you see yourself, it can feel confusing. Choosing who to hang out with matters: surround yourself with those who make your identity feel balanced and true.

Parenting and Guiding Kids

Parents can gently guide children toward positive self-views by staying curious about their friendships. Ask what they like about these friends and what sides of themselves emerge. Friends help kids explore personality facets and decide what they want to become. Encourage meaningful interactions that build a strong personal identity.​

Susan reminds us that choosing surroundings thoughtfully foster mental wellbeing. By reflecting on our “mirrors” and roles, we discover more about ourselves and grow authentically.

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

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Relationships Coach Pastor Phil Ayres, unpacks a topic that many singles wrestle with – how to create healthy, realistic expectations when dating.

The conversation shone a light on the deeper work required to build strong, lasting relationships.

Why Realistic Expectations Matter

Pastor Phil launched straight into it: dating gets complicated when emotions run high. When you’re attracted to someone, he explained, “you’re love drunk.” Chemistry intensifies, dopamine surges, and suddenly every red flag starts looking like a quirky bonus.

He reminded listeners that this early stage – often called the infatuation phase – can completely distort your perspective. Because of that, you might be tempted to place your partner on a pedestal and believe they can do no wrong.

However, Phil encouraged daters to stay grounded. “They’re a normal human being,” he said. “And you’re putting them in the place of God if you expect perfection.”

By staying anchored in God’s love, he added, you can enjoy the excitement of early romance without losing sight of reality.

Step One: Avoid Putting Your Partner on a Pedestal

As the team discussed, infatuation makes small flaws look endearing, at least at first. But unrealistic perfection creates unfair pressure on your partner and eventually leads to disappointment.

Pastor Phil explained that a healthier approach recognises both the strengths and imperfections of the other person. “The higher you put them,” he said, “the harder you fall.”

Instead, he encouraged listeners to stay emotionally sober, grounded in faith, and mindful that no partner can meet every need.

Step Two: Communicate Your Expectations Clearly

Transitions in a relationship often expose unspoken expectations. Whether it’s the early dating stage or the moment kids enter the picture, assumptions can quickly cause friction.

Phil emphasised the importance of speaking openly about what you want rather than hoping the other person magically understands. “Don’t assume they know,” he warned. “Communicate clearly.”

Bec shared how she and her husband had to revisit their expectations after welcoming children. Their story highlighted how communication must grow and shift as relationships evolve.

Step Three: Address Conflict When It Appears

When Asa asked how singles can even identify what expectations they should have, Pastor Phil offered simple, practical wisdom: pay attention to conflicts.

“Look for the areas where differences appear,” he said. “And when they do, don’t avoid them. Discuss them.”

Instead of trying to predict every issue upfront, Phil encouraged couples to work through challenges as they come. Facing disagreements with honesty and courage lays the foundation for a stronger connection.

Step Four: Offer Grace – Because No One Is Perfect

As the conversation deepened, Pastor Phil highlighted the transformative power of grace. Both partners are human. Both are learning. And both will mess up at times.

“Real love grows in patience and forgiveness,” he said. The imperfections and moments of tension often create opportunities to bond more deeply.

Bec pointed out that overcoming hurdles together can actually strengthen the relationship – proving you can face difficulties with humility and teamwork.

Asa echoed the reminder that ego often stands in the way, prompting Pastor Phil to quote Ephesians: “Be humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

Building Love That Lasts

Active communication, humility, grace, and spiritual grounding – these ingredients help couples navigate dating with wisdom and confidence.

Pastor Phil wrapped up the discussion by reminding listeners that expectations don’t just affect dating; they shape marriages too. Setting fair expectations early can lead to contentment and peace rather than pressure and disappointment.

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

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