Kids Aren’t Spending Enough Time Just Going Outside

By Published on November 2, 2015

The sporting-goods retailer REI announced that its 143 stores would be closed the day after Thanksgiving. Employees are off and the company won’t even process web orders until the following day.

Instead, it has built a dedicated #OptOutside website with resources on local hiking trails. The company’s president and CEO, Jerry Stritzke, explained: “As a co-op, we define success a little differently. It’s much broader than just money. How effectively do we get people outside?”

Sure, it’s a publicity stunt. But it’s a publicity stunt with a good point.

A recent article in the Atlantic describes “small but growing group of health-care professionals” who are trying to treat illnesses like depression and attention deficit disorder by prescribing more time in nature. And it’s not just a vague admonition either. Some doctors will tell people to go to specific parks or natural settings for a set amount of time each week.

Read the article “Kids Aren’t Spending Enough Time Just Going Outside” on nypost.com.

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