Fear of Nature

In a recent classroom discussion, a student posed the question, “does spending time in natural settings decrease stress?”

I had just finished reading “The Nature Principle,” by one of my heroes, Richard Louv, in which an impressive amount of research is summarized showing that, indeed, time spent in nature promotes better functioning in many domains, including increased attention, creativity, and well-being, and decreased stress. After noting this, I then challenged students with a challenge issued by Louv in his book: spend 30 minutes in a natural setting without any technology, and observe the effects. See firsthand how it influences you.

At this point, a very sincere, honest student raised her hand, and asked, “does this include cell phones?”

“Yes,” I answered. “It particularly includes cell phones.”

“Don’t you think that’s unwise,” she responded. “What if something bad happened to us while we were out there?”

I probably stared in disbelief for a moment. I heard myself saying “humans have been in nature for thousands and thousands of years with no technology, and we’ve been okay,” but I wisely held my tongue.

Instead, we had a discussion about the comment. Several others identified with the student’s concern. Other issues also were raised, such as parents’ difficulties allowing their kids to explore nature without “helicopter parenting” to ensure their safety. Better to keep them in their presence, just in case.

This discussion is instructive in several ways. First, individuals are curious about nature and its effects. Second, people are afraid, probably for various reasons, including the belief that many people have acquired from the media that “bad things” are more likely than actually is the case. They believe that technology will protect them. However, this technology may prevent them from going to nature in the first place or keep them from being fully present in nature when there.

If we are to recapture a sensitivity to awe, at least in natural settings, we are going to have to learn to trust again.