From Nature to Numbness: Tackling Nature-Deficit

Have you become numb to being nature deficient, overlooking the potential health risks that might be knocking at your door? The answer to this question leads to a second, How long does it take to get a 'dose of nature' high enough to make a difference? The loss of good health and vitality ultimately means loss of independence. Within the society of the 21st century, sitting has become the new norm. Unfortunately, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, society has transitioned us away from the energizing power of nature to spending 90% of time indoors. Our children spend on average 8.5 hours with their faces glued to a screen and 4.7 minutes in a structured outdoor environment. The human body isn't wired for a sedentary life. There are two sides to nature's coin: Health benefits in connection and health risks from disconnection. Time with nature reshapes human behaviors and offsets nature deficit. The comparison of the benefits from spending time in nature vs. the health risks from too little time in nature leads to a conclusion that is absolutely a no brainer. Sharla Shults, author of 'Catnip of Life', was a victim of an automobile accident that left her immobile for nearly a year, was on a path of dependency on painkillers, alcohol, antidepressants and sleep aids. She made a choice to reconnect with nature and engage with her energy booster and mood enhancer, which the American Psychological Association calls 'being nurtured by nature'. Through her own experience came the declaration of two affirmations: Too much time indoors and lack of time outdoors adversely impact life, and Time outdoors positively impacts life. Sharla will share how to be grounded in nature and simple solutions that comes with a very inexpensive price tag.