Apr 17, 2026 By Jack Hughes 3 min read

An interesting story in the spring issue of National Wildlife magazine begins with the writer’s favorite slang expression, “touch grass,” which refers to kids who use it to refer to friends who are spending too much time online and have lost touch with reality.

With those two words they are offering a simple yet profound message: Nature has an indispensable role to play in improving our mental and physical health.

Americans are trading green time for screen time and the average teen spends well over three hours per day on their screens, and 95 percent of teens and 78 percent of adults visit their screens daily.

Many a beautiful day is missed with our younger ones in their room on their devices. Even when outside, so many are constantly looking at a screen instead of where we are going.

The article goes on to say that neuroscientists link so much digital exposure to thinning of the cerebral cortex, the brain’s center for memory and decision making, and desensitization of our dopamine reward system, mirroring the effects of addiction.

Too much time spent online literally rewires our brains. Algorithms determining what we see online trap us and deepen animosity toward people with different beliefs, with no off ramp.

Reconnecting with nature is a tangible, science-backed way to heal both mind and body.

Numerous studies confirm that spending time in nature triggers a cascade of mental and health benefits, from reducing stress, blood pressure and depression. Time in nature also stimulates brain regions involved in human empathy – exactly what our polarized society needs to rediscover.

The article suggests that to begin repairing ourselves and our nation, we should each commit to replace some screen time with green hours.

At a time when life can seem fraught with complexities, one of the best things we can do for ourselves and for the next generation is simply opening the door and stepping outside.

This morning after breakfast I headed for the bike trail and spent several hours doing green time: wildflowers blooming, hillsides greening, birds singing and a real joy to behold was the number of butterflies emerging.

After coming home and enjoying an iced tea I decided to leave my phone on the counter and sit on the patio and reflect on my morning bike ride and the 80-degree afternoon. Tomorrow we are planning a wildflower hike to see the white and red trillium that bloom on our hillsides.

After a chilly spell on Monday we should return to spring-like temperatures that will provide for some great days to touch the grass.