Quite simply, nature deficit disorder is exactly what it sounds like; not spending enough time in nature. While it isn’t an actual medical condition, it is indeed a real thing.
Humans are a part of nature, physically and energetically, just like animals. And we’ve seen what happens when we take over animals’ natural habitats. It isn’t normal or healthy to spend so much time away from the lush greenery of our natural world.
Richard Louv coined this term in his book Last Child in the Woods. He has also written other nature-themed books like The Nature Principle and Vitamin N. The Nature Principle is the one I read.
For the audio/podcast version, listen below:
How Nature Deficit Disorder Came To Be
Imagine a world where the primary color you see is gray. Gray buildings, gray roads, and gray parking lots. You are bombarded by the typical city noise of engines, traffic, and sirens. Your nose is permeated with car exhaust and rotting garbage. There is a thin veil of smoke in the air that makes the sun look hazy, if you can even see the sun at all. And forget about seeing the stars at night.
It’s a safe bet that just imagining that makes your soul crave to sit in a forest, bask on a beach, or run through a meadow of wildflowers.
80% of Americans live in a world full of noise pollution, light pollution, and concrete landscapes. It’s no wonder that there is such a thing called Nature Deficit Disorder.
A huge factor in this problem that technology has trained us to stay indoors, working on our laptops, playing our video games, catching up on our TV shows, and charging our phones 24/7 so we can constantly keep up with the texts.
What Are the Symptoms of Nature Deficit Disorder?
Behavioral issues in children are rampant as a result of not enough time in nature. Some parents have reported their children being more aggressive, moody, and depressed. Adults might not notice these symptoms in themselves, as we are much more distracted by life’s problems such as work, bills, chores, and family issues.
Some people may notice a simple desire for nature. Daydreaming while at work that you are in a secluded wooded area listening to birds chirping is a sure sign that you need more nature in your life.
How to Cure Nature Deficit Disorder
Since Nature Deficit Disorder is not exactly a medical condition, the cure is simple. Spend more time in nature and the symptoms will quickly and easily go away. This really is a “disease” we bring on ourselves by choosing to live in unnatural environments and avoiding the outdoors.
Studies have shown that adequate time in nature results in many holistic benefits. Take this study, for example, that studied adults in a wilderness camp:
“Nature immersion in a camp setting positively affected the participants’ relationship with nature; increased relaxation along with decreased perceived stress; increased positive emotions and decreased negative emotions; increased sense of wholeness and experience of transcendence; and enhanced social interaction. This research supports the holistic health value of being in a natural environment. Connection to nature appears to be associated with reduced stress and greater holistic health and well-being, thus counteracting the risk of untoward effects from “nature-deficit disorder.”
How to Get More Nature Into Your Life
- Go for a walk, jog, or bike ride; preferably near water or trees.
- Go hiking at a local state park, trail, or nature reserve.
- Go camping.
- Go to a place where you can watch the sunset and the sunrise every day.
- Plant a garden.
- Start a hobby of nature photography.
- Buy some plants to keep indoors.
- Go swimming, preferably in a lake or ocean.
- Spend time at your local park.
- Get a nature journal, sit outside, and write.
- Draw or paint outside.
- Do yoga or Qigong outside.
- Collect things in nature such as rocks, shells, leaves, etc.
- Go apple-picking (or any fruit in your area)
- Get a boat, canoe, or kayak and hit your local lake or river.
- Lay in a hammock in your yard.
- Work on your tan naturally rather than at the salon.
- Watch nature documentaries or listen to nature sound cd’s.
Nature deficit disorder doesn’t have to happen to you! There are plenty of suggestions here to keep a good healthy dose of nature in your life. I talk in-depth about these solutions in my article about how to connect to nature.
For more articles related to nature, be sure to check out:
How Earthing Can Improve Your Health
7 Reasons Why Camping Is Healthy
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