by Dan D’Agostino
Television, smartphones, text messages and video games — according to a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation kids are spending an average of 7.5 hours a day behind a screen and spending less time outside. Some may ask “what’s wrong with that?” Well, studies have shown that spending less time outdoors can result in a wide range of behavioral problems. In fact, there’s even a term for this – Nature Deficit Disorder. Sounds scary, right? Fortunately, there is a cure and it doesn’t even require a trip to the doctor’s office. The best way to combat this disorder is to create a better balance between indoor time and outdoor time.
Technology has fundamentally changed how we live our lives – we can access a world of entertainment with a few keystrokes or flicks of the remote control. It’s entertaining, fun and addictive. Clearly it would be very difficult to completely unplug, but dedicating a few hours a week to outdoor entertainment can make a huge difference and help your family learn new skills and live life more adventurously.
There are many benefits to increasing the amount of time you and your family spend outside. In fact, children who spend more time outdoors show more advanced motor fitness including coordination, balance and agility. Additionally, nature opens minds to more imaginative and diverse play that encourages increased collaborative and language skills as well as improved cognitive skills which in turn heightens awareness, reasoning and observational abilities. Outdoor activities also usually involve some level of exercise, which is key to living a healthy lifestyle. Given the facts, it’s hard to imagine we aren’t outdoors ALL the time. Luckily, this summer presents the perfect opportunity for you and your family to unplug the screens and find new adventures in the great outdoors.
The first step to combating Nature Deficit Disorder is to assess how much time your family currently spends watching TV, playing video games, texting with friends and compare that to how much time is spent outside riding a bike, playing a sport or taking a walk. Then, set a goal to increase the amount of time everyone spends outside and make a plan for how that time will be spent. Now that spring is here and summer is right around the corner you have every opportunity to beat Nature Deficit Disorder and here are some tips to help you:
· Start the Adventure – Engage your family in the fun and get their help creating an outdoor activity “bucket list.” Present it as an adventure for the entire family and find something that everyone will enjoy.
· Challenge Yourselves – Select some activities to take you beyond your comfort zone and turn an “I can’t” into an “I just did it!” Who couldn’t use a little boost to their self-esteem?
· Mark your Calendar – Don’t forget to get your plans on the calendar. That way, everyone has enough time to plan and get excited about the outing. You’ll also be less likely to cancel the fun.
· The Price is Right – The best thing about being outside is that it’s free. Set a budget and know that a simple picnic in the park and frisbee toss is a low cost way to enjoy a beautiful day
· The More the Merrier – Reach out to friends and neighbors and encourage them to join in the fun. Starting a neighborhood football or soccer game once a week is a great way to get the neighborhood to step out from behind their screens, get exercise and make new friends.
· Discover Local Gems – There are numerous outdoor adventures waiting for you in the Williamsburg area. College Landing Park is great for watching local wildlife, try mountain-biking or ziplining at Freedom Park, or step back in time and walk or jog the Historic Jamestowne Island Trail. There are many great options right in your own backyard.
· Conservation is Key – Outdoor spaces are always more enjoyable when they are free of trash and pollution. Signing your family up for a local trail clean-up is a great way to enjoy nature while protecting it. It will also give your family a sense of community and something to be proud of.
So, now is your chance. Spring is here and it’s time to get outside. Round up the kids and go for a hike, visit a national park, take a bike ride and research other fun and exciting adventures. Pick things you’ve never done before and test your limits. Don’t be afraid to pull the plug on technology and take a stand against Nature Deficit Disorder.
Dan D’Agostino is the managing director of Go Ape USA, a highly interactive treetop adventure course. The courses, which can be completed in two to three hours, feature a series of zip lines, Tarzan swings, rope ladders, bridges, swings, and trapezes. Go Ape launched its second U.S. course in Freedom Park in Williamsburg, VA in April 2012.
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by Dan D’Agostino
There are many benefits to increasing the amount of time you and your family spend outside. In fact, children who spend more time outdoors show more advanced motor fitness including coordination, balance and agility. Additionally, nature opens minds to more imaginative and diverse play that encourages increased collaborative and language skills as well as improved cognitive skills which in turn heightens awareness, reasoning and observational abilities. Outdoor activities also usually involve some level of exercise, which is key to living a healthy lifestyle. Given the facts, it’s hard to imagine we aren’t outdoors ALL the time. Luckily, this summer presents the perfect opportunity for you and your family to unplug the screens and find new adventures in the great outdoors.
