Do you have Nature Deficit Disorder?

By Rick LoBello, iloveparks.com/elpaso

In his acclaimed book Last Child in the Woods (2005) Richard Louv describes a condition affecting people of all ages called “nature deficit disorder.” A recent study found that children spend an average of 6 hours a day in front of a TV or computer screen, but less than 4 minutes a day in unstructured outdoor play. The American Medical Association reports that unstructured free play in the out-of-doors brings a host of benefits to children—from being smarter to more cooperative to healthier overall.

I know of many adults who probably spend that many hours a day or more in front of a TV or computer who could also benefit from more time outdoors. Imagine what our world might be like if more people spent time in the outdoors gardening, going for walks, hiking, camping and playing sports. If we lived in a world that was more outdoors oriented perhaps we would all be smarter, more cooperative and healthier. We might not need to worry about an international economy falling apart, the need for a national health care program and perhaps fewer people would suffer and die from the horrors of war.

In reading the headlines in today’s Newspaper Tree I saw stories like Manhunt Monday and Kidnapper Arrested. On CNN.com there was news about China harassing a US ship and how a suspect has been charged in a pastor’s shooting death. I wonder how many of these problems and conflicts have been influenced in some way by nature deficit disorder.

Nature deficit disorder is real and everyone who has an opportunity to help others understand it should do so. School administrators can help students experience nature by creating habitats for wildlife on school grounds and by creating opportunities for classes to learn about nature at local parks during the school day and with their families on weekends. Community leaders and the media can make a difference too by encouraging people to take time away from technology and to spend time connecting with nature.

Most of us have grandparents and great grandparents who were much closer to the earth than we are today. Some of us have great memories of spending time in the outdoors. If only those who planned our city had an opportunity to read Richard Louv’s book. If they had El Paso would look much different from what we see today. There would be more parks filled with native plants and animals, larger expanses of natural areas providing wildlife corridors for large animals like deer to travel through, and children growing up in our neighborhoods would have a much clearer understanding of our natural heritage and how sharing our planet with the wild creatures is as important as getting an education.

Unfortunately for many the outdoors has been so sensationalized that many are afraid to venture past their backyards or outside the confines of a playground. Take a moment to reconsider your connections with nature and look into the many opportunities to connect here in El Paso. Start by checking the Desert Links page at chihuahuandesert.org and if you are going beyond El Paso check out some of the parks on my site at iloveparks.com.


Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. John Muir