The Upside of Outside

Parents have become increasingly concerned about their child’s health. In 2023 a Mott Poll showed parents worried about anxiety, depression and suicide, and internet safety among other health issues. Fortunately, a number of people are finding solutions. Let’s take a look at some practical options.

A Thousand Hours a Year

1000 Hours Outside, founded by Ginny Yurich, is a global platform reclaiming childhood, reconnecting families, and restoring mental health in the age of artificial intelligence. The founder, a mom who was overwhelmed with motherhood, had a friend suggest they and their kids meet at a park one day with only a picnic lunch in hand. Ginny remembers it as one of the happiest “ah-ha” moments as a mom. Her kids were content and discovering. This experience led her to the realization that three to four hours a day—roughly a 1000 hours over the course of a year— is the ideal amount of outdoor time for kids. Thus began 1000 Hours Outside.

“The premise is simple, but the impact is profound,”Ginny says.

‘Brain Rot’ to Touching Grass

“‘Brain Rot’ refers to the negative effects of overexposure to shallow, repetitive or overly stimulating online content,” says Susan Lotkowski, DO, neurologist at Inspira Medical Group Neurology Mullica Hill. It turns out brain rot is not a diagnosis, but it is experiential and observable. Over time this can effect a child’s cognitive health, resulting in reduced attention span, mental fatigue, decreased memory, and increased anxiety or stress. 

In an article and podcast titled “How ‘Brain Rot’ and the Escapist Virtual World Is Harming Our Youth,” a GenZ-er named Adnan Alkhalili woke up to the fact that he was feeling really sick. He was sluggish after 8 hours of sleep, was eating poorly, and had gained a lot of weight. He didn’t want to go outside or play sports. Then he started to have extended panic attacks, where he felt like he couldn’t breathe. At the same time he was struggling with OCD or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder symptoms. “I felt like my life was over…I felt like I was in my 70’s or 80’s.”he admitted. 

Adnan finally realized this was due to his metabolic health. So, he started eating healthy, and losing weight. After feeling better, he took a hard look at his screen time. Eventually his health improved, both physically and mentally. When was this going on in his life? It started when he was seven and continued for the next ten years. Crazy young! HIs own experience led him to want to help others so he founded a nonprofit.

The  focus of Adnan’s nonprofit is to get young people outside in the light (out of that dark room on a screen), get moving, connect with others in person, and eat healthy food. He was wondering what to name it when he thought of what teens say to one another when they’ve had too much screen overload. “Touch grass,” is a phrase they say to each other which means get outside. These same teens don’t like to be corrected about their unhealthy habits, but Adnan knew this would be a term they already understood. Touch Grass Together (TGT) has had outside gatherings. He reaches back to age old fun—jumping in a huge leaf pile or having a snowball fight and other normal fun group activities. These outdoor events demonstrate to this current generation just how good it is to be off a screen, outside, and connecting with others. 

TGT is using social media to promote these outdoor events. He’s hoping to scale this so it will become really big and help many people. Adnan also wants to see technology reward users in a Pokemon Go style, (a game app that promoted physical activity and social interaction), where if you are doing what’s healthy you get a reward. He knows youth will use their phones, but hopes a reward system will increase healthy habits. 

Taking Schools Outside

Adnan and Ginny are not the only ones promoting the great outdoors. Some brothers are encouraging families from a bit different angle. Designed by four brothers who grew up in the jungle, Off The Couch Into Creation, is an eight-week adventure curriculum designed for families with kids ages 4–12. And the good news is you don’t have to go to the jungle! A park, your backyard or a trail will do. This immersive course brings joy to the learning process. Each week you do three things: Discover, (the wonder of creation), Document what you see and experience, and Devotion, (where you give honor to the Creator).

Another school known as the Scandinavian forest school originated over 60 years ago,. This approach to learning has spread throughout the United States, as well as other parts of the world. Perhaps the founders never dreamed that one day it would be a perfect antidote to addiction to screens. Let’s take a peek at some of the many benefits of outdoor learning. 

1. The natural world inspires awe and wonder. Every sunset is different. A spider on her web dazzled with morning dew has inspired many would be writers.
   
2. The outdoors encourages problem solving and working together which means kids have to learn communication skills. Often these skills are developed without adults having to intervene or give their opinion. 
   
3. Extends vocabulary because kids naturally want to know what kind of bug they are holding in their hand or how moss grows on the side of a tree. This leads to research beyond initial observation.
   
4. Prevents anxiety and depression. Being outdoors naturally relieves stress. Sunlight, blue skies, green grass are all designed as natural elements to calm us. When a child can regulate and calm down, it supports creativity and learning. 
   
5. Supports cognitive function and creativity. We are all born to connect to our natural environment. After all God put Adam and Eve in a garden. Simple joys of tracing a leave on a sheet of paper and watching the leaf buds appear in the spring never gets old as children learn a greater appreciation for God’s creation.
   
6. Prevent childhood obesity and overall health. Eyesight is improved as children focus on a snail then view a mountain. They are not straining to see on a computer or look at a black board.
   
7. Resilience is a built-in benefit as kids try new things, fail and try again until they succeed at building, growing, etc. Persistence wins the day and they learn to dress for the weather, not opt out. They can also learn the process that inventors must go through like George Washington Carver who discovered many uses for the peanut. 
   
8. Forest schools allow practical skills and hands on, real-life learning to take place. Kids can learn to care for plants and soil. Gather wood to make a fort, build a teepee, or in colder climates make an igloo. Skills like tying knots are practical for real life application. As is drying food and edible plant identification.
   
9. Improve writing. Did you know a child has to develop 70 sets of muscles in their arm so they can write comfortably. As a former teacher, I didn’t know this. Outdoor play naturally helps to develop those muscles.
   
10. Promotes good sleep. That’s a happy thought for everyone.

Get Out

I remember when my two oldest daughters were little and each day on our walk they loved to stop at a mossy stump and pretend kitchen. Moss and bark became a gourmet meal and I was the customer at their instant restaurant. Kids and the outdoors go together. Now with kids addicted to screens, nature offers a healing balm ready to be discovered. We’ve all heard it “get outside.”

It’s so refreshing that a digital native is taking seriously the issue of online overdose and seeking solutions for his generation.This is a sure fire way to protect our mental and physical health for all ages. Sunshine, fresh air, clouds–what’s not to like? Even families that feel they can’t afford the time, should try it on the weekends or in short spurts, 5-10 minutes. And if 3-4 hours is too much a day, then adjust the time to work for your family. As you can see the benefits are just too good to miss. 

Prayer 

Lord, you often provide answers to problems in advance. You created man and woman and put them in a garden, demonstrating an ideal environment for their growth.  The answer to too much screen time is as simple as opening the door. We pray families will be drawn to spending time outside in God’s beautiful creation. Let them enjoy it’s wonder and simplicity. We pray this generation would have a momentous pendulum swing that would lead them back to exercising and learning outdoors. Let both kids and parents detox from the tech, reconnecting as they go outside and feel renewed. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Decree

Your wonders tell of the glory of the Lord. Let the generations praise the works of your hands as they spend time in the great outdoors.