overcoming nature deficit disorder, an international effort

An image of the hills of Santiago Canyon in Orange County, California.

     Nature Deficit Disorder is not an actual medical diagnosis. Rather it is a phrase that Richard Low coined in 2005.  But it does aptly describe how our brains and bodies are reacting to a disconnect from nature.  And it is also something that is being recognized and addressed worldwide.

     What are other countries doing to help their populations connect with nature and de-stress?  East of Seoul, South Korea is the Saneum Healing Forest, complete with health rangers and wooden platforms for yoga.  This is one of three healing forests, but 34 more are planned by 2017.

     Both Japan and Germany have versions of natural therapy requiring patients to either walk for extended periods through forests.  In Japan this is referred to as forest bathing.  In Germany they practice Kneipp therapy which involves exercising in clearings within the forests.   

     We can give ourselves our own form of nature therapy on a small scale in our homes.  Homes with numerous or large windows to let in an abundance of natural light are great.  Houseplants and photographs of nature scenes are another way we can easily incorporate nature into our daily lives.  Scheduling time to take a walk in a local park or just get out into your yard, if you have one, can give you a mini nature break too.

     If you are working with or if your are an Interior Designer incorporating some aspect of nature into your designs can be included in your plans.  However you do it find some easy ways to bring de-stressing elements into your home.