Natural Cures for ADHD: Take a Nature Walk

Disorder or Difference: Is ADHD medication necessary?

The medical model of ADHD (that it is a disorder or mental illness) has been challenged, and there is a school of thought that believes it is not a disorder at all, merely a difference in functioning. Professor John Breeding, Ph.D. would argue that ADHD is really just a construct of the psychiatric profession as the diagnosis is purely subjective. Whether you believe that ADHD is a true disorder or not, it can’t be denied that the use of medication for children with this diagnosis long ago skyrocketed to alarming rates, and there are definite risks associated with their use. But there are alternatives to medication, and one in particular has been studied and proven to be at least as effective as pharmaceutical intervention.

The ‘Cons’ of Medication

One significant argument against medicating children for ADHD is that drugs are only able to affect symptoms, but they don’t address the root cause of the child’s difficulties or teach the child to cope with his challenges. There are also some serious side effects that accompany the ADHD medications, usually stimulants like Ritalin, Adderal, Focalin, Concerta, or Strattera (non-stimulant) just to name a few. The side-effects alone pose enough of a reason for many parents to seek out alternative means to help their child cope, particularly with school.

University of Illinois Study

So what can someone diagnosed with ADHD do in order to meet day-to-day challenges and responsibilities? One study performed at the University of Illinois by Francis Kuo and Andrea Faber Taylor revealed that exposure to nature, or “green” environments, for twenty minutes significantly increased attention and focus in the 400+ kids participating. In fact, when comparing their results to a medication study around the same time, the researchers found that the nature walks performed as well or better than the medications. Aside from the possible side-effect of airborne allergies, there doesn’t seem to be a down side to this intervention. It’s cost-effective, safe and has the added benefit of providing 20 minutes of exercise (which kids today seriously lack).

How to Get More “Green” Time

Nature walks might sound easy, especially for students living in rural areas, but what about kids in urban environments? How can they obtain the nature boost in order to help them focus during the day? On the way to school, maybe taking a walk through a tree-lined street could help. If there is a green field or view from a classroom window, the child can sit where he/she can see outdoors while doing class work. Similarly, doing homework by a window with a view can prove beneficial. Twenty minutes of play time in a grassy field during recess, before or after school is another possibility. If none of those things are available, planting a window box of flowers or greenery could work, too.

Whether you accept the medical model of ADHD or not; whether you choose to medicate or not, it is important to be informed of the alternatives. And regardless of what else you do, it is imperative that you always give your child unconditional love and support in working through his/her challenges.