When people build and create things together and get to experience the hard-earned results, we are grateful and begin to realize that we are all on the same team.
It is also easier to be healthy when you are not doing it alone. Stemming from the garden as a source of high-quality food and inspiration, people will begin sharing their healthy pursuits and encourage one another, as well as provide accountability.
Number 6: Nature Connection
The negative effects of a life removed from nature can be attributed to a condition called Nature Deficit Disorder (NDD).
The term was coined by author Richard Louv in his book “Last Child in the Woods” in order to explain how our societal disconnect with nature is affecting today’s children (and adults).
Some of the symptoms he links to NDD include attention problems, obesity, anxiety, depression, fear of the natural world and disregard for life.
What causes NDD?
•Excessive TV, computers and video games
•Discomfort outdoors
•Disconnection from where food comes from
•Loss of access to nature (Habitat Destruction)
•No longer living off the land
•No unstructured playtime outdoors (I am sure many of you remember wandering through the woods as a kid)
•Entertainment comes from media, not imagination and outside play
According to US NDD Statistics & Effects:
•88% of children use computers daily
•Youth avg 8 hours daily on electronic media, teens up to 12 hrs
•9 million youth are overweight and rising
•70% of children are Vit D deficient from lack of sunlight
•50% of preschoolers are never taken outside for play
Denied access to nature increases anxiety and behavior issues
So what ARE the possible benefits of spending time in nature?
•Stimulates creativity
•Increased imagination, reasoning and observation
•Able to cope with stress
•Higher self-esteem
•More adaptable
•Decreased anxiety and improved balance
•Healthy mind/body/spirit
•Increased awareness of surroundings
•Improved social skills
•Increased emotional and intellectual development
•Understanding of nature’s cycles
We see this disconnect as the root cause of human imbalance, as evidenced by the underlying anxiety and discord prevalent in many children, adults and in modern society as a whole.
With the loss of positive and direct interaction with the outdoors comes the loss of knowing who we are as one of Nature’s beings.
When we reconnect, we remember that we are completely reliant and dependent on Nature; we are a part of, not apart from it. This fosters a reverence for the beauty and wonder of Nature and restores respect for life.
As caretakers, we live harmoniously within Nature’s systems. This fosters harmony in ourselves and creates balanced relationships within the system.