Increase outdoor time at schools in California
Increase outdoor time at schools in California
The Issue
30% of 14-18 year olds deal with anxiety. 22% of high schoolers are obese. 77% of students do not get adequate sleep.
It has been proven in multiple studies that increasing time spent outdoors can improve anxiety, depression, focus, fitness, and sleep quality in students.
What I am proposing is mandated increased free outdoor time in schools without making the school day longer.
Most public high schools in California currently have a 6 period structure with a 15 minute brunch break and a 40 minute lunch break. Classes are typically 55 minutes.
I am proposing we reduce the class time by 5 mins per period and distribute that extra 30 minutes for longer Brunch and Lunch time.
This would coincide with an educational push to encourage students to spend this time outside off their devices. Socializing or playing sports.
Multiple studies show more time spent outdoors increases happiness and other crucial health markers. While naysayers may say this is shortening classroom time, the REALITY of the situation in California is we are dealing with record levels of ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, and Obesity in youth.
This intervention would cost the state very little money to implement. It would increase socialization, fitness and improve the circadian biology of our youth.
We cannot realistically expect our youth to spend 7 hours under artificial light daily. It is clearly damaging their biology and by increasing brunch and lunch time combined with an educational push to raise awareness of how important being outside is we will see a reduction in anxiety, depression, and obesity. We will also see improved test scores as evidenced by multiple studies that show an increase in outdoor time improves test scores.
It is TIME we respect our circadian biology and give our youth more time to BE YOUNG. Socialize outside, throw around a football, gossip with friends, play soccer, eat with friends. The LARGEST issue we have amongst our youth in California is the wave of depression, isolation, anxiety, and a lack of social skills. Increasing outdoor time will make a positive impact.
For those who say "they will just be on their phones outdoors now" SO WHAT. Multiple studies have shown that when human beings are outdoors they use their phone LESS. There is even a study showing that even with smartphone use more time outdoors lowered anxiety, depression, and increased happiness.
Lets make REAL change NOW!
References
https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood-obesity-facts/childhood-obesity-facts.html
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-023-15532-y?utm_source
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165178123004444?utm_source
6,035
The Issue
30% of 14-18 year olds deal with anxiety. 22% of high schoolers are obese. 77% of students do not get adequate sleep.
It has been proven in multiple studies that increasing time spent outdoors can improve anxiety, depression, focus, fitness, and sleep quality in students.
What I am proposing is mandated increased free outdoor time in schools without making the school day longer.
Most public high schools in California currently have a 6 period structure with a 15 minute brunch break and a 40 minute lunch break. Classes are typically 55 minutes.
I am proposing we reduce the class time by 5 mins per period and distribute that extra 30 minutes for longer Brunch and Lunch time.
This would coincide with an educational push to encourage students to spend this time outside off their devices. Socializing or playing sports.
Multiple studies show more time spent outdoors increases happiness and other crucial health markers. While naysayers may say this is shortening classroom time, the REALITY of the situation in California is we are dealing with record levels of ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, and Obesity in youth.
This intervention would cost the state very little money to implement. It would increase socialization, fitness and improve the circadian biology of our youth.
We cannot realistically expect our youth to spend 7 hours under artificial light daily. It is clearly damaging their biology and by increasing brunch and lunch time combined with an educational push to raise awareness of how important being outside is we will see a reduction in anxiety, depression, and obesity. We will also see improved test scores as evidenced by multiple studies that show an increase in outdoor time improves test scores.
It is TIME we respect our circadian biology and give our youth more time to BE YOUNG. Socialize outside, throw around a football, gossip with friends, play soccer, eat with friends. The LARGEST issue we have amongst our youth in California is the wave of depression, isolation, anxiety, and a lack of social skills. Increasing outdoor time will make a positive impact.
For those who say "they will just be on their phones outdoors now" SO WHAT. Multiple studies have shown that when human beings are outdoors they use their phone LESS. There is even a study showing that even with smartphone use more time outdoors lowered anxiety, depression, and increased happiness.
Lets make REAL change NOW!
References
https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood-obesity-facts/childhood-obesity-facts.html
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-023-15532-y?utm_source
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165178123004444?utm_source
6,035
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Petition created on February 18, 2026