The Nature Principle

Nature-deficit disorder is the theory that nature is necessary for our mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional health. Throughout the book, Louv presents anecdotal evidence and the limited scientific research available on how nature benefits our health. This evidence is vital in convincing the reader that nature is important, and he recommends ways to reduce the nature-deficit. While research suggests that exercise is beneficial to our physical health, Louv is interested in a deeper connection with nature that is not yet understood. Louv believes that the mental health of our societies needs a deeper connection with the natural environment to thrive. Rather than focusing on the negative of what will happen if we don’t heed his advice, he focuses on the benefits of nature to our health and well-being.

The research on nature’s benefits to our physical health is the strongest, with limited mental health research. Still, Louv suggests that what research has been done is convincing: “[M]ore mainstream health care providers and organizations have begun to promote nature therapy for an array of illnesses and disease prevention” (46).

It is the emotional and spiritual link to our health that Louv tries to argue for using