The Re-Creative Power of Nature
In his book Last Child in the Woods, author Richard Louv coined a phrase that has stayed with me since I first heard it. In his book, he states that children are spending more and more time indoors and are thus suffering from what he describes as "Nature Deficit Disorder." There is plenty of data to back up Louv's claim that children are spending more time indoors. The American Pediatric Association recently reported that an average eight-year-old child in the United States spends eight hours a day in front of a screen (computer, mobile device, or television). The number increases to eleven hours a day for teens. Nature-Deficit Disorder is not a medical diagnosis but is a way to call attention to the fact that children often miss out on the whole-health (body, mind, and spirit) benefits of spending time outdoors. Apparently, Nature Deficit Disorder is not only affecting children. It seems that most everyone, when given a chance, retreats to nature for renewal. As I view emails and Facebook posts from countless friends who are taking a vacation now, I see that almost every one of my friends is choosing to spend a large portion of their vacation time doing something outdoors, away from screens. They are cherry-picking, mountain climbing, camping, kayaking, biking, golfing, hiking, fishing, spending time at the beach, going to summer camp, gardening, attending picnics, and enjoying countless other outside activities. People seem to be naturally aware of the therapeutic health benefits that come from spending time outdoors. I understand this myself, and thus my wife and I have just finalized our plans for a Canadian wilderness canoe trip in a few weeks.
A friend of mine who is a grade school teacher loves to spend time in her garden, and when she is not in her garden, she is often biking, hiking, or kayaking. She is concerned about children experiencing Nature-Deficit Disorder, and so when I visited her classroom a while back, I was not surprised to see that there were many nature-themed posters on the walls. Each of the posters contained a motivational quote to inspire the children to spend time outside. Not being able to hold class outside, she had found a way to bring the lessons of nature indoors. I remember one poster of a large oak tree in particular, and I will close this week's column with the wisdom from this poster. The photo of the mature oak tree was stunning, and it drew you closer so that you could read this message that was the central focus of the poster. Here's what it said:
Advice From a Tree
By Ilan Shamir
Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of a greater source
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The Energy and Birth of Spring
The Growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall
The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter
Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night.
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view!
I need to go now-I need to get away from my screen and get outside to see what important lesson or advice nature has to offer me today.
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