It’s no secret that college can be an incredibly stressful time, especially when finals roll around and the exams and projects seem endless. The importance of maintaining mental health throughout college definitely cannot be overlooked.
So, how do we go about keeping up with mental health during the school year? This is certainly no easy task, especially when considering how difficult this year in particular has been.
With classes and work being switched to a virtual atmosphere, it’s become harder for college students to get out of the house and partake in the activities they enjoy.
Thankfully, Mother Nature offers a COVID-safe, easy way to take a break from the day’s hardships and relieve some of that stress. Whether it’s hiking, going for a walk, hammocking in the park or just sitting in the sun, being outdoors is a great way to escape from the (currently) virtual world of schooling.
Researchers have actually linked spending time outdoors to increased mental wellbeing.
According to an article by Harvard Health, “Research in a growing scientific field called ecotherapy has shown a strong connection between time spent in nature and reduced stress, anxiety, and depression.”
Although I might not be as credible or renowned of a source as Harvard Health, I can personally attest to these research findings.
As a college student at UW, I have definitely had bad days with no motivation to finish my homework (haven’t we all?). Let me tell you, going for a quick walk in the nearby park is one of my go-to ways to clear my head and get back into my school groove. It’s quick, enjoyable and a perfectly safe activity to engage in during the pandemic.
If the weather is nice enough, I also suggest having lunch or a drink outside. Trust me, eating a nice meal while relaxing in the sun is very underrated and, from personal experience, a great way to relieve stress.
Even though Laramie weather is extremely unpredictable (let’s not forget the snowstorm we had last June), there are still plenty of fun activities to do in the snow. I recommend sledding, snowshoeing, or even a snowball fight. Finishing the day with a cup of hot chocolate is a great idea as well.
As this long winter comes to an end and the days start to (slowly but surely) warm up a bit, I encourage every UW student to take a little time out of their day to enjoy the outdoors. If you’re looking for a park to visit, I would check out Undine Park, LaPrele Park, and Optimist Park.
If you would like to read the full article that I cited (it’s honestly super interesting), make sure to click this link: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/sour-mood-getting-you-down-get-back-to-nature
