Green Time and ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common behavioural disorder that affects around one in 20 people, mainly men. Until recently, it was thought that a child outgrew ADHD during adolescence, due to developmental changes in brain chemistry. However, it seems that seven out of ten children with ADHD mature into adults with ADHD. A person with ADHD has difficulty paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviours and keeping thoughts on track. Many children diagnosed with ADHD are medicated but a new study suggests that most would benefit from a low-cost more gentle intervention.

That simple intervention would be to spend time playing outdoors.

Previous research has shown that just showing kids and adults without ADHD pictures of green outdoor spaces can improve concentration and impulse control. This prompted these researchers to see whether children diagnosed with ADHD might benefit from time spent actually playing outdoors, or some “green time”.

To find out the researchers examined survey data from families of children with ADHD. They looked at parent’s descriptions of their child’s daily play settings and overall symptom severity. Additionally, they analysed correlations with the child’s age, sex, and total household income.

Overall, more time spent playing outdoors was associated with milder ADHD symptoms. It was also found that kids with more severe ADHD (as opposed to ADD) had milder symptoms if they played in more open areas like a football field or an open lawn, rather than a green space with lots of trees.

Both boys and girls benefited equally from this “green time”.

So it seems some regular nature time will be of significant benefit to kids and adults with ADHD. For everyone else, some green time will also reduce impulsiveness and support concentration and that can only be a good thing.