Blog  August 22, 2011

More Green Time, Less Screen Time

Kids at Evergreen's Green City Adventure Camp explore the ravines (Photo: Michelle Laporte)

When the mercury rises, many of us are tempted to huddle in front of the TV with the air conditioner on full blast instead of spending quality time with our families in local green spaces. However, regular contact with nature can have profoundly positive effects on children’s mental health and development—even more so than in adults.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a common developmental disorder that affects 5–10 percent of Canadian children. Overstimulation caused by complex urban settings can prompt symptoms such as distractibility and impulsiveness in children with and without ADHD.

Interestingly, many studies demonstrate that these symptoms improve significantly after time spent in natural surroundings. In fact, the greener the environment, the more dramatic the change in behaviour.

Still more evidence suggests that children with greater exposure to green spaces enjoy improved cognitive function, reduced stress, higher self-esteem, healthier relationships with peers and a stronger sense of community. What’s not to like?

The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends no more than one to two hours of recreational screen time (computer, television and video games) per day. Excessive screen time has been linked to issues ranging from sleep disturbances to reduced school performance and poor social skills.

Best-selling author Richard Louv coined the term “Nature deficit disorder” to describe the health problems caused by wired living and the disconnect between children and the natural environment. Based on growing evidence, scientists are now proposing daily doses of “green time” as a formal treatment for these symptoms. Turning off the TV and taking your child for a fun and free outing in your neighbourhood green space can be one of the most effective ways to give that developing brain a boost!

So, the next time you visit your doctor, consider bringing along a copy of this nifty nature prescription (PDF) for her to sign. When pondering recreational activities for your children, remember to think “green” instead of “screen,” and know that you are helping to raise happier, smarter and healthier nature stewards of the future.

A member of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Melissa Lem is a Toronto family doctor who also works in rural and remote communities across Canada.