For much of the country, March is the beginning of spring. The new grasses poke their fresh green heads through the murky mud, buds emerge on the trees and brushes, snow gives way to refreshing spring rain, and the robins leave tiny bird prints on the sidewalks.
I have been spending a great deal of time lately thinking about all the things we know to be true about an ADHD diagnosis…and what we do with that knowledge. There is one thing we know that ties in super-well with the blossoming of spring:
We know that spending time in outdoor green spaces helps to mitigate symptoms of ADHD. Acute exposure to green spaces has been found to increase concentration and decrease impulsivity. The studies indicate that the more natural or wilderness-like the setting, the better for improving concentration. Time spent on a trail in the forest led to more reports of reduced hyperactivity in children than a walk in a “green downtown” area…and certainly more than children playing in indoor playgrounds or downstairs playing video games in the windowless basement.
So, what can we do with what we know?
Plan and schedule time to be outside – everyday if possible! Now that the sun is shining a little bit longer each day, and you can start to peel off some layers and enjoy a little shower of sunbeams, get out there and do it.
For working folks, pack your lunch and eat it outside. It may be just the spark you need to return to your computer and bust out those afternoon reports. Schedule a walk with a friend after work (or better yet a run!). It might make a difference in the vibe that is set throughout the house for when the kids get home from school. Take the family for an after-dinner-dishes-are-done romp in the park. Perhaps it’ll settle down the evening routine a bit and provide for a more relaxing transition to bedtime.
For your ADHD kids, be an advocate for daily outdoor recess. Do not allow the school to punish your child by taking that crucial element of the day away. Instead of picking your child up and driving straight home to start homework, stop by a nature trail, or a lush green space to, have a catch, toss a Frisbee, fly a kite, or simply just stroll and chat. Andrea Faber Taylor, an expert on the effects of green spaces and author of numerous studies says, “as little as 20 minutes of outdoor exposure in an open green space could potentially buy you a couple of hours in the afternoon to get homework done with your child.”
At SOAR, we certainly believe in the benefits of unplugged time in nature. It is the opportunity we provide for your children. Many of you have noted the differences you observe in your kiddos once they return home. Perhaps one way to extend those benefits is to continue to provide those wilderness setting experiences.
In addition to the immediate effects of acute exposure in decreasing the severity of ADHD symptoms, spending time in nature may leave other life-long impressions on your children. It seems that each year, we get a letter, or email, or a phone call from a SOAR alumni camper extolling the benefits they continue to reap from their exposure to outdoor adventure activities. Young adults who claim they made it through college by heading outdoors for a hike, a run, a bouldering session before a big exam or in the middle of working on a major paper. We get stories from young men and women who are putting together backpacking trips with their friends and colleagues to help teach others the benefits of unwinding in the great outdoors. Some letters simply thank us for the exposure they received.
