[Shadow_Group] Fw: Spending Time with Nature, a Natural Remedy for ADHD

Tue Oct 5 23:43:35 PDT 2004

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Subject: Spending Time with Nature, a Natural Remedy for ADHD


http://www.mercola.com/2004/sep/18/adhd_nature.htm<http://www.mercola.com/2004/sep/18/adhd_nature.htm>

      Spending Time with Nature, a Natural Remedy for ADHD 
        
       
      Children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) should spend some quality time outdoors when they are not in school, according to a nationwide study.

      Researchers observed the positive effects spending time outdoors had on ADHD patients in different regions of the country. Participants, ages 5-18, spent time in "green" areas, which varied from big cities to rural settings. The results indicated a dramatic reduction in symptoms. Researchers believe that simply incorporating nature with regular after-school and weekend activities could be widely effective.

      In the United States, ADHD affects one in every 14 children -- which is equivalent to one or two in each classroom. About 2 million school-aged children and as many as 4 percent of adults experience the symptoms of ADHD. Those with the neurological disorder usually have problems in school, work and relationships. They often suffer from depression and substance abuse.

      Researchers recruited the parents of 322 boys and 84 girls, all diagnosed with ADHD, through ads in major newspapers and the Internet. 

        a.. Activities were conducted in a variety of areas, including indoors, parking lots, downtown areas, tree-lined streets, back yards and parks. 

        b.. Researchers then asked parents, through online interviews, how their children performed during a wide range of activities. 

        c.. Reports indicated that symptoms were reduced most in green outdoor settings, even when the same activities were compared across different settings.

        d.. In 56 different comparisons, activities in "green areas" had more positive responses than activities in other settings. In 54 of the 56, the difference was significant, signaling that the findings were consistent.

      Those involved with the study are excited with the results and hope they will lead to more research and potential treatment.

      While medications for ADHD work for most kids, experts point out that they are expensive and can have serious side effects, including loss of appetite and trouble sleeping. Society often places negative labels upon children with ADHD. Even more disheartening, about 10 percent of ADHD children don't even respond to medication, which is the most popular form of conventional treatment.

      Researchers said that exposing ADHD children to nature is an affordable, healthy method of controlling symptoms.

      They suggest daily doses of "green time" can supplement medications and other traditional treatments of ADHD.

        a.. Spending time in ordinary urban nature -- a tree-lined street, a green yard or neighborhood park -- may offer additional relief from ADHD symptoms when medications aren't enough. 

        b.. Some kids might be able to substitute a "green dose" for their afternoon pill, making it easier to get a good night's sleep.

      Increasing "green time" can be done by:

        a.. Choosing a greener route for the walk to school 
        b.. Doing classwork or homework outside or at a window with a relatively green view 
        c.. Playing in a green yard or ball field at recess and after school 
      Science Blog<http://www.scienceblog.com/community/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3858> August 28, 2004


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      Dr. Mercola's Comment:

      What could be more natural or healthy for you and your family than to take a walk outdoors after work or school? What simple solution to one of the biggest problems plaguing our young people -- ADHD<http://www.mercola.com/2002/jun/8/adhd.htm>.

      In my practice, I recommend a host of natural dietary solutions for kids, and adults, who suffer from ADHD: 

        a.. Increase your intake of omega-3 from fish or cod liver oil<http://www.mercola.com/2002/jul/20/adhd.htm>. This is the single most important nutrient<http://www.mercola.com/beef/adhd.htm> for ADHD children. 
        b.. Drink only water for a beverage<http://www.mercola.com/2004/may/5/eight_glasses_water.htm>, taking care to avoid fruit juices, soda and pasteurized milk. 
        c.. Restrict or eliminate sugars and grains<http://www.mercola.com/article/insulin.htm> from your diet. 
      Sadly instead of trying these solutions first, conventional doctors opt to overmedicate kids<http://www.mercola.com/2004/jun/5/youth_drugs.htm>. More than one million American children take drugs for ADHD. Clearly it's not the answer, especially when they could be potentially harmful<http://www.mercola.com/2003/dec/24/add_drugs.htm>.

      Instead of looking for a quick fix, talk to your children and find out what emotions are holding them back. You may want to consider EFT<http://www.mercola.com/article/eft_videos.htm> to improve your child's emotional component. An updated version of my video series will teach you how to actually perform this effective treatment.

      The updated video series has many new advantages:

        a.. New material-over half of the material is new and/or updated 
        b.. Two hours of updated information on my Eating Plan<http://www.mercola.com/nutritionplan/index.htm> 
        c.. Live juicing demonstration 
        d.. Professionally edited 
        e.. Available on DVD for extra high-quality resolution 
      Another helpful tool is our three-part interview with renowned children's health expert Dr. Lendon Smith on Non-Drug Treatment of ADD/ADHD<http://www.mercola.com/2001/jan/7/lendon_smith.htm>.

      Related Articles:

        Non-Drug Treatment of ADD/ADHD<http://www.mercola.com/2001/jan/7/lendon_smith2.htm>

        Adults With ADHD: Don't Become the Next Drug Target ... Here's How to Treat it Naturally<http://www.mercola.com/2004/jun/26/adult_adhd_drugs.htm>

        US Congress Told of ADHD Overdiagnosis in Schools<http://www.mercola.com/2000/oct/22/adhd_overdiagnosed.htm>

        US Courts Forcing Parents to Medicate Kids for ADD/ADHD<http://www.mercola.com/2000/aug/13/courts_adhd.htm>
     

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"I am only one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
What I can do, I should do. And what I should do, by the grace of God, I will do."
---Edward Everett Hale 

 
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