In our culture today, we spend a lot of time indoors—in our heads or distracted by screens, navigating the ebb and flow of information coming at us on a daily basis. For many of us, the option to untether or unplug is rife with complexity as we use devices for school, work, and day-to-day tasks and activities. The omnipresence of screens can influence behavioral patterns and mental health and we’re witnessing some of the results of this socioculturally, as we hurdle forward. Attention is compromised, and we may feel side effects from this way of life, such as stress and anxiety, fragmentation, dissociation, or even memory loss. The question becomes, for many of us, how free are we, truly? Untethering and unplugging in a hyperconnected world are becoming luxuries, but the awareness of what’s happening can also inspire shifts. This is no time to look away—or is it?
What is Nature Deficit Disorder?
Nature deficit disorder (NDD) is a phrase coined by Richard Louv, an American journalist who coined the phrase in the early 2000s. The phrase Nature Deficit Disorder, featured far and wide, including in the New York Times, references the diminished experience humans have when they’re away from natural spaces. The term has been highlighted, especially during the past decade, as we see patterns shift. Psychological and physical damage is potentially being incurred from too much time indoors, away from nature, and NDD can cause diminished attention, vitamin depletion, emotional stress, among other concerns. We need time outside.
The body needs nature. When we are in the trees, near the ocean, or even viewing images of such scenery, we experience a host of benefits. According to a review from the National Institute of Health, our physiology improves from time immersed in the outdoors.
A recent systematic review of more than 40 experimental studies indicates that measures of heart rate, blood pressure, and perceived stress provide the most convincing evidence that exposure to nature or outdoor environments may reduce the negative effects of stress.
Further, mental health, anxiety and depression, immune function, cardiovascular health, diabetes, cancer, allergies/asthma, post-operative recovery, and sleep all these areas reap benefits from exposure to natural spaces and time outside. The benefits of course vary, depending on duration, consistency, and many other factors, but the simple fact is, natural spaces promote health.
Nature and the Brain
Along with the body, the brain, in particular, needs nature. Research demonstrates that being outside can directly affect brain function, including cognitive control. Another study found that consistent exposure to nature has the potential to restore and enhance attention and executive functioning in children, adolescents, and young adults.
In fact, studies show that the condition of the mind engaged in consistent screen activity is having an impact on brain function, affecting memory, emotional capacity, and cognitive function. One study in particular found that those between the ages of 18 and 25, there is risk of neural degeneration. Another research study noted that self-regulation becomes decreased through excess screen time, causing the cerebral cortex to thin. This is significant, in that this region is directly connected to cognition and processing memory, thereby affecting areas such as decision-making and problem-solving. It’s one thing if we are on devices during set times, such as in the office/at our desks, but what happens when we are passively engaged, simply scrolling, or doom scrolling as some call it.
Maris Loeffler, MA, Family and Marriage Therapist, and member of the Stanford Lifestyle Medicine Cognitive Enhancement team, notes:
“Passive screen time is like eating sugar but for your brain. It ‘tastes’ good, and you want it now, but you’re not actually feeding yourself. You’re not giving your brain any nutrition…Instead, replace screen time with an intentional healthy habit that feeds your brain in a healthy way. Lifestyle medicine activities, like exercise, good sleep, social connection, and stress management, function like ‘nutrition’ for your brain and mental health.”
How to Treat Nature Deficit Disorder
The passivity of the ubiquity of screens warrants a deeper line of thinking related to personal agency and self-actualization. If the default is bed rotting and doom scrolling, the question becomes how do we mitigate the impact and veer toward healthful habits. This is where we create the mental space to detach and look away, or more importantly, look up. The simple act of constantly looking down at a device, influences our energy, our disposition, our chi, if you will. Hence, the solution = time outside.
“In adventure, we can immerse in the present experience without overanalyzing it. Nature offers a respite from the oppressive aspects of tech, seating our awareness in our senses. Here, in the bounty of the immediate, we find space to ground.When we recognize the opportunity we tap into, for our own health, we can apply the learnings in every aspect of life.”—Tim Walsh, CEO and founder of Adventure Recovery
Nature Deficit Disorder and Mental Health
In order to talk about nature deficit disorder and mental health, we end up talking about screens, because if we are suffering a deficit of time outdoors, something else is filling that time = technology. Specifically, especially for kids and teens, social media is playing a huge part. Identity formation, a significant part of the adolescent experience, is now being dramatically influenced by socials. There are positives to social connection, but there are pitfalls to the medium, as teens fall into the cascading surfaces of artifice that are inevitable through these platforms. The threats within the world of socials is a whole other article, but the reality is, the medium becomes the message, and the unavoidably superficial aspect of social media has an effect. While the brain is still developing, technology can have a significant impact, as studies reveal, specifically influencing executive function, emotional intelligence, and cognition.
The Mental Health Solution for Tech Addiction
The solution is one of balance, and as our culture as a whole realizes the impact the ubiquitous screens are having, the opportunity to shift is stronger than ever. And it’s happening. Many are changing out smartphones for “dumb phones” or flip-phones. Folks are scheduling time on and time off, to cultivate time with friends and family. Parents and caregivers are holding meals, phone-free, without devices at the table. Schools are starting to implement policies that limit usage. The shift begins within and it is possible to implement digital detox into our days.
The awareness around tech and how we spend our time is a big part of why Adventure Recovery exists as a critical touch point for many. For all of us on the AR Crew, we see our own addictive patterns activated by tech and the approach is one of compassionate awareness. Even sharing content online or socials is held strategically by our team, so that we have the opportunity to be present for activities, without filtering our every moment of presence through the screen. We schedule as best as we can, sharing the hope and bliss on our expressions as we reach the summit, surf the wave, and climb that rock. This isn’t about perfection, it’s about awareness and progress.
The Nature Prescription
For our clients, the opportunity to get out and explore the natural world can be deeply healing and transformative. The nature prescription taps into ancestral medicine that touches us at a deep level. It connects us to our history, our sense of place, our sense of belonging.
Nature gets us away from the devices and trappings of we’re used to, and into new sights and sounds that open perspective. Anxiety, depression, substance use, addictive patterns—all of these can be exacerbated by technology use. However, when we get out there, and share new adventures together, we build upon a foundation of self-regard, interpersonal relationships, and life beyond the noise.
“The technology we have access to today is a tool—the power and influence of which is often misunderstood. We see this play out in clients who experience stress and anxiety, social awkwardness, and, at times, a lack of willingness to disconnect from the devices. When we get outside and leave the tether of the virtual world, or at least put it on airplane mode, clients can tap into the real world, applying physical and emotional skills. We often think the phones make us feel more connected, but they can also cause us to feel isolated and separated from others, and ourselves. This is a big part of why we go.”—Josh Flaherty, LCSW, Executive Director of Adventure Recovery
On a recent outing with friends from a local treatment center, McCall Behavioral Health, participants shared their feedback on how the day went. Here is a quote from a client about being in nature, offline.
“Adventure Recovery was an amazing experience. Just being out in nature among peers was so relaxing and freeing of all worries and stress. I look forward to any and all other outings. It was great to feel a connection with my surroundings as well as with my inner self.”
This is why we go.
See you out there.