Nature Deficit Disorder – How Fear is Making Us Fat

Fear is making us fat, depressed, and attention disordered.

Actually a social trend, not technically a clinical disorder, the issue of Nature Deficit Disorder -our disconnection with nature – is becoming a growing concern.  Particularly alarming is the increase in obesity, depression, and attention distraction among children.

Last Child In the Woods, by Richard Louv, addresses how parents have discouraged children from being outside, primarily because of fear.  Regimented sports have taken over imaginative play.

I’d like to encourage you today to give yourself at least 10 minutes outside – taking a deep breath, looking up to the sky, noticing the colors that are starting to appear in springtime.  Just these simple actions will bring you renewed balance.

Additional resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature_deficit_disorder

http://www.education.com/topic/nature-deficit-disorder/

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/work-connect/green-glossary-nature-deficit.html