Well it sure seems like common sense for lifestyle and mental wellness; we, as adults often have to train ourselves so to speak--to find peace or learn how to unwind, focus etc after a long day. It only makes sense that kids would need this as well, to clear their minds and ADHD or not, everyone needs to take time outside, it's frankly the ONLY thing that has helped me remain calm in crises.

I raised my kids all doing outdoor things, and before homework there was outside time.

My youngest daughter, age 20 and in a mental health healing/crisis truly does better when she can get outside with me and take a walk or even driving to look at the countryside with horses.

That is really interesting. I grew up in the inner city where there were no trees or parks. Wonder if it warped me some. I love going for walks now...it does help me to feel more at peace. Not sure what it does for my concentration or attention.

Okay-
I don't know about this one....I feel much at peace with my Ipod and the crazy streets on NYC. There is something soothing about walking from that outside craziness into my calm, clean house.

I guess this is based on personal views, but this I could this in children as they are likely to be stimulated by nature as opposed to life forces and people watching like many adults.

One of my most favorite things in the world is walking on the Toe Path. It is 6 or so miles from Rocky Hill to Griggstown.

I wish I had a dog to walk it with now, since I do not have a bike.

Right now the leaves just started tuning, and it is so beautiful.

Slightly off subject but...
In the past mental hospitals used to be in the quiet country ? Close to nature? When people started to believe in the chemical imbalance theory of mental illness that pharma Co. supports, I think "we" forgot about the environments influence. Noise polution and lack of natural surroundings.

I specially did not enjoy the jack hammers (during hospital renovations) I had to listen to when I was a "patient" in hospital. I was ready and willing to kill someone. Thank you psychiatry for your compassion.

Mark, yes the state institution my daughter was at used to be a dairy farm adjacent, and the patients could go outside, now it's not the case.I believe the locked down, no fresh air and timed outdoor time prolongs any recovery, if recovery is remotely possible in those places. I had to fight to get my daughter outside time, and that only happened when I took a basketball and a cell phone out w the patients, as the staff was short-staffed. My daughter, not outside for 6 solid weeks at children's hospital where there was any tree or grass---hugged a tree.

I also agree Angie--I enjoy big cities, and the solace it gives once inside our home. My youngest daughter's favorite place is downtown Seattle.

Be wary of studies with only a few people, be wary of studies that give easy answers, or answers that people want for political or idealistic reasons.
When they do rigorous studies they do not find much over prescribing, but they do find lots of kids who need help.
Kids who are treated are much less likely to do drugs, ie self medicate.

I grew up in the country, in the woods, and yes walking in the woods helped. If I took a walk every hour for at least 15-30 minutes, little restrictive don't you think? Oh yeh and if I was in a real mood I would disappear for a few hours.
And usually still be off when I came back.

Sure nutrition and exercise can help some people, just like some people can loose a little weight and exercise and stop being type two diabetic, but if you are type one....

This sort of think sounds good and can keep parents from getting treatment for their kids.
I grew up when there was no treatment for any of this. When I think of people wanting to put their kids through that, for the ideal of being natural...

Remember arsenic is natural, and cyanide is organic and natural and readily available from peach leaves. Should we give kids cyanide?

Natural does not mean good or safe or effective, it only means you can get it in nature.