"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul."
--John Muir, father of the National Parks
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| A beautiful blue sky and palm trees |
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| Selfie with the author, her mother and sister-in-law, Inger, on a Florida beach walk |
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| The author in Mendocino, California with Pacific Ocean in background |
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| The author hiking in Orgeon on a very cold day |
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| Great blue herons in the Viera Wetands Photo credit: Edward Perry IV |
Have you been outside lately? Jogged on the beach? Walked in a forest? Enjoyed the solitude of the mountains? Listened to birds sing?
There is an epidemic affecting children's health that you won’t read about
in newspapers or see on TV. Kids are
glued to their mobile devices. Earbuds
block their interaction with the real world. Making eye contact is difficult, if not impossible. They prefer texting over talking. They are not learning how to play. Adults have accepted that technology is a normal part of life while neglecting to set boundaries for techology. While kids may develop excellent hand-eye coordination skills playing videogames or texting, they are not getting their Vitamin N.
That is, Vitamin N as in Nature.
Many kids today are suffering from nature deficit disorder, a term coined in 2005 by Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods. The lack of quality time outside connecting with the sky, trees, mountains, rivers, and beaches is affecting their balance, their physical health, their mental health, their attitudes about relationships, and the very core of their lives.
Many kids today are suffering from nature deficit disorder, a term coined in 2005 by Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods. The lack of quality time outside connecting with the sky, trees, mountains, rivers, and beaches is affecting their balance, their physical health, their mental health, their attitudes about relationships, and the very core of their lives.
Growing up in the West where rugged mountains, scenic
rivers, and the wild beaches of northern California defined my childhood, I
have always found my own peace when I am outside in nature. Kids need that connection. Spending time in nature is beneficial to our mental health and helping us stay connected to ourselves and to others.
Starting right now, plan activities that take you and
your children outside in nature. Get a
good dose of Vitamin N every day. In my opinion, the minimum recommended daily allowance is an hour a day.
On typical week days, I get a strong dose of Vitamin N via early morning walks, looking at the trees and watching the
clouds, then a booster dose at the end of the workday relaxing in the back yard, enjoying the sunset while cardinals come to the bird
feeder.
On weekends, my goal is to obtain copious amounts of Vitamin N because of the high value I receive from playing outside in nature.
How will your kids get their Vitamin N? Reversing and preventing nature deficit disorder is one of the keys to raising Growing Healthy Kids.
Go outside and play!
Go outside and play!
With
love and gratitude,
Nancy
L. Heinrich, MPH
Founder,
Growing Healthy Kids, Inc.
