Nature-deficit disorder is a term you may have heard in recent years. It’s the relatively new idea that people, children in particular, who spend less time in nature may suffer a range of physical, psychological, and behavioral problems. The phrase can be summed up as the cost we pay for distancing ourselves from nature.
Though the term is not a medical diagnosis, nor is it found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, it encapsulates a phenomenon that more and more people are recognizing as a problem in modern society and for the natural environment.
The term Nature-Deficit Disorder® was introduced in 2005 in Richard Louv’s book “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.”
According to Louv, “the term caught on, and is now a rallying cry for an international movement to connect children to the rest of nature. Since then, this New Nature Movement has broadened to include adults and whole communities.”
Put simply, NDD is caused by not going outside and experiencing nature.
Whether it’s work, school, or leisure, modern life in America often revolves around time spent indoors, staring at a screen. This means that the more time we commit to modern-day living, the less time we spend outdoors exploring nature.
Large-scale farming is also thought to be a contributor to NDD. Few people grow their own food and therefore spend less time gardening. We have forgotten the relationship between the outdoors and the food we eat.
NDD also suggests that information overload may contribute to people spending less time outdoors. In today’s modern media landscape, we’re bombarded with all kinds of scary information about what can possibly happen to us outside. We hear stories about disease, animal attacks, crime victims, accidents, dangerous weather conditions, and more. Some people simply decide that it’s safer to stay indoors rather than risk being outside.
According to the Children and Nature Network, a growing body of scientific evidence suggests that nature-deficit disorder can lead to a host of different ailments, including: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, obesity, vitamin D deficiency, higher levels of aggression, increased rates of depression, poor grades, a lower ability to cope with stress, poor attention spans, higher rates of emotional and physical illnesses, and a lower sense of wellbeing.
NDD doesn’t just affect children, it negatively impacts the future of the environment as well. If children aren’t having positive experiences with nature, they’ll be less inclined to take the necessary steps to protect and preserve nature as adults.
If you give children the opportunity to be outdoors, their curiosity for nature will often happen, well... “naturally.” But be careful not to push your kids too hard to get outdoors. Being outside shouldn’t be a punishment for spending too much time on electronic devices, for example. One strategy is to establish a rule that for every hour spent on an electronic device, one hour must be spent playing outdoors.
Set a good example for them. If your child sees you outside having fun, they’ll want to join too. Flying a kite, planting a garden, or even raking leaves into a pile and jumping in them can be a fun activity that kids will want to join in with you.
Lastly, make plans for fun activities outdoors. Plan them far enough in advance so you can hype them up to your kids while creating an atmosphere of anticipation. “In just four more days we’re going to be camping by the lake! It’s going to be so fun, and I can’t wait! We’re going to fish, hike, shoot a bow and arrow, and we’re going to eat a lot of s’mores!”
Visiting a Texas State Park is a great way to get outside. These parks represent some of the best our state has to offer. Pledge to Take Care of Texas and we’ll send you a free Texas State Parks Guide to get started! Check out these suggestions based on your favorite outdoor activities.
Educators can get students into nature by conducting lessons and classes outside. Youth can also get outside and learn about preserving our environment by earning the Take Care of Texas scouting patches.
If your idea of getting outside includes gardening, use this Guide to Yard Care to help you maintain a healthy yard while saving money and taking care of our state’s varied landscapes in an environmentally responsible way.
Find ways to get involved or volunteer in your community. Get outside and be active on days like National Walk Your Dog Day, Free Fishing Day, or National Walk and Bike to School Day.
Whatever you choose, be sure to get outside as much as you can to explore the natural beauty of our great state!
