I was watching the national news on tv one evening last week. There was a segment about doctors around the world, and now finally in the United States who are writing prescriptions for nature to some of their patients.
In 2005, when the book “Last Child in the Woods” was published (which I highly encourage every parent and grandparent to read) author Richard Louv coined the term Nature Deficit Disorder. He discussed how our youth are so disconnected from nature.
Today, kids are somewhat aware of the global threats to the environment-but their physical contact, their intimacy with nature is fading. That’s the opposite of how it was when I was a kid. Nobody in the 1950s talked about acid rain or holes in the ozone layer or global warming. But I knew my woods and fields. I knew every bend in the creek and every path through the forest and fields. Today, a kid can likely tell you about the rainforest but not about the last time (or ever) he or she explored the woods, or lay in a field listening to the wind or watching the clouds drift by.
When “Last Child in the Woods” came out, Nature Deficit Disorder was virtually ignored by the academic world. As of today, over 1000 studies have been conducted on the topic and they point in one direction: Nature is not only nice to have but it’s a have-to-have for physical health and cognitive function.
These studies have shown that time in nature is an antidote for stress: it can lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, reduce nervous system arousal, enhance immune system function, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety and improve mood. Attention Deficit Disorder and aggression lessen in natural environments which also help speed the rate of healing.
Nature can’t offer flat screen tvs, air conditioning or wi-fi but can potentially offer something more important: improved health by way of a stronger immune system, better sleep and reduced stress.
Countless studies have shown that as little as 120 minutes in nature per week (more would be better) result in a significant improvement in our physiology.
As we know, air pollution can trigger allergies, asthma and other respiratory diseases. It might surprise you to learn though that indoor concentration of air pollutants are often two to five times higher than outdoor concentrations. One eight year study of 108,630 women examined the relationship between green spaces in neighborhoods. Women who lived in areas with the most green space were 34% less likely to die from respiratory disease. Studies show exposure to natural sunlight affects your circadian rhythm helping you feel more tired at night, shortening the time it takes to fall asleep, improves quality of sleep and helps reduce depression. Studies also show that people exposed to more natural light healed faster after surgery and reported less pain. Sunlight also helps our bodies create vitamin D which studies show may help prevent cancer, osteoporosis and heart attacks. Women also showed an increased white blood cell count which helps fight viruses.
Winter is a great time to be outside. Dress appropriately and go for a walk with your family or friends in the park or hike a new trail. Pack a lunch or snacks and make it an adventure for the kids. Encourage them to enjoy nature and be sure you read “Last Child in the Woods” by Richard Louv. You can download free apps such as iNaturalist where you can take pictures of plants or animals and it will identify them for you. Another app is ebird which will record the bird singing and it will identify that bird.
“For many years I was self-appointed inspector of snowstorms and rainstorms.” -Henry David Thoreau
