Explore nature’s playground

Posted 4/29/25

According to Mary Beth Dziedzic, “nature-deficit disorder” is real and has a host of wide-ranging effects on our physical and mental health, social and cognitive development as well as an …

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Explore nature’s playground

Posted

According to Mary Beth Dziedzic, “nature-deficit disorder” is real and has a host of wide-ranging effects on our physical and mental health, social and cognitive development as well as an environmental impact. 

“We aren’t part of nature, we are nature,” she said. Below are some of the rewards she noted that we receive when we are in nature:

1. Decreased stress hormones in the body 

2. Parasympathetic nervous system activation, which promotes relaxation in the body 

3. Improved attention and concentration

4. Strengthened immune system 

5. A heightened state of present-moment awareness, quieting the inner critic; and, nourishing the body home with emotions like wonder, awe, curiosity, hope- all natural antidotes to worry, sadness, depression, self-judgement and anxiety 

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.