Nature Deficit Disorder...

'We are torn between two worlds one of beauty and one of commerce'

Health benefits of spending time outside:

• Your vitamin D levels rise. Sunlight hitting the skin begins a process that leads to the creation and activation of vitamin D. Studies suggest that this vitamin helps fight certain conditions, from osteoporosis and cancer to depression and heart attacks. Limited sun exposure (don’t overdo it), supplemented with vitamin D pills if necessary, is a good regimen.
• You’ll get more exercise. If you make getting outside a goal, that should mean less time in front of the television and computer and more time walking and doing other things that put the body in motion.
• You’ll be happier. Light tends to elevate people’s mood, and there’s usually more light available outside than in. Physical activity has been shown to help people relax and cheer up, so if being outside replaces inactive pursuits with active ones, it might also mean more smiles.
• Your concentration will improve. Children with ADHD seem to focus better after being outdoors. It might be a stretch to say that applies to adults, but if you have trouble concentrating, outdoor activity may help.
• You may heal faster. In one study, people recovering from spinal surgery experienced less pain and stress and took fewer pain medications when they were exposed to natural light. An older study showed that the view out the window (trees vs. a brick wall) helped recovery in the hospital.

Unknown (2010). Harvard Health Letter. A prescription for better health: go alfresco, 30(4), 12.

I started looking at this topic of discussion as I am interested in getting people to interact with the outside environment more rather than being stuck inside. There are many health benefits related to spending time outside but I have come to realise it is not the health benefits of being outside which is driving my project, specifically I am interested in the rise of technology dependence.

I want to create encourage people to connect physically with there surroundings because this is part of being human and our fast paces lives and dependence on technology are hindering this flow of life.