Green Play Reduces ADHD Symptoms

The Landscape and Human Health Lab’s research has shown that performing activities in green settings can reduce children’s Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms.

"In an initial Midwestern-based survey, parents of children with AD/HD were more likely to nominate activities that typically occur in green outdoor settings as being best for their child’s symptoms and activities that typically occur in indoor or non-green outdoor settings as worst for symptoms.  Also, parents rated their child’s symptoms as better, on average, after activities that occur in green settings than after activities in non-green settings.  In the subsequent, nation-wide survey, parents again rated leisure activities — such as reading or playing sports — as improving children’s symptoms more when performed in green outdoor settings than in non-green settings. 

"A more recent study tested children with AD/HD in a controlled setting after they had walked in one of three environments that differed from one another in the level of greenery:  a park, a neighborhood, and a quiet downtown area.  The findings confirmed that the attention of children with AD/HD functions better after spending time in more natural settings."

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