Author Richard Louv coined the phrase nature deficit disorder (NDD) in his book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder. He defines it as “the human cost of alienation from nature, among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and a higher rate of physical and emotional illnesses.” And while he focuses on the need to get our children outdoors, NDD is hardly exclusive to children.

Many adults suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) this time of year, which is also known as winter depression or winter blues. One theory about SAD is that its cause may be from increased melatonin produced in dim light and darkness by the body. So if SAD if brought on by lack of sunlight doesn’t it qualify as one of the costs of human alienation from nature?

If we go to work or school in the dark and come home in the dark, when do we get our daily dose of sunlight? For me, a day without sunlight is indeed a than happy day for me. I often need to leave my work to get out into the sun. Sunlight through the windows just doesn’t do it for me. And winters can be depressing. I find I have less energy in the winter than in the summer and I sleep more.

I tell adults and children to “Take a minute to be in it™” – that is, to take some time in the outdoors even if it is only a minute or two. Take that time to stop and look around, take in the smells of the outdoors (hopefully, you will not be standing in the middle of a heavily congested traffic area), look up and down, and listen to bird calls, insects, mammals, whatever sounds nature is offering at that moment. Every time you stop, look, and listen you will see or hear something new in the outdoors. You’ll discover plants and animals you hadn’t noticed before; and the more you notice, the more you’ll be interested and excited.

We are part of nature, no matter how much we insulate ourselves from it. Right now it is Friday in the afternoon on a beautiful fall day. There’s a little breeze and it is in the high 70’s. Bodie (my dog) and I are going to go take a minute - or about 30 - to go outside and get some sunlight.

I hope you do, too