How to Recharge Your Soul

New York Times Op-Ed Columnist Nicholas Kristof recently wrote a how-to column titled “How to Recharge Your Soul”. In a pervious column, Kristof wrote about “nature deficit disorder”- the problems that occur when young people spend their time indoors deprived of the chance to experience the outdoors. He says: “When I was a kid being cooped up inside was called ‘juvenile detention’; now it’s called ‘leisure’.” Kids these days are spending way too much time inside not being active. As Kristof put it: “Here’s how to pry yourself and your family off the keyboard and venture into the wild – without feeding a bear. In the same way that you recharge your BlackBerry from time to time, you also should recharge your soul”. He encourages families to go take a hike or go backpacking. Backpacking is a very cheap vacation, it links you directly to the world around you, and it reminds us that we are just a part of the natural order.

In the article, Kristof give a simple 10-step guide on how to recharge your soul by enjoying a nice camping trip with your family. Some of the steps Kristof includes are: take the path less traveled, wear an old pair of running shoes, skip a tent and a change of clothes, use hiking poles if necessary, and most importantly, avoid bears. Kristof provides these steps in order to encourage people to spend time in the outdoors. He provides people with advice that will make it fun and enjoyable. Personally, I have been hiking but never been camping. After reading this article I have a greater desire to get off the couch and into the wilderness. Kristof makes camping sound fun and adventurous. Kristof concludes by saying: “So before the summer ends, try overcoming nature deficit syndrome and recharging your soul- and happy trails!”