Although many students are lamenting the end of their summer break, for most of us (adults), summer was just another season of the daily “8 to 5 grind.” Perhaps you have felt it too, that sneaking thought of “I really don’t feel like it today,” or, “I wish the weekend would get here sooner!” These thoughts can actually be a sign of stress and burnout. The sunny heat on top of these feelings can seem almost oppressive!
Despite the heat, there has never been a better time than now to get outside into nature in order to help reduce your stress and improve your mental health. Over the past several decades, multiple researchers have been studying the link between spending time in nature and our mental-emotional well-being. According to the American Psychological Association, some of the benefits include “improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even upticks in empathy and cooperation.”
However, as any adult may attest to, it takes time and intention for us to really commit to something that could be good for us. We are busy, busy, busy! Aside from work, there are chores to do, kids to take care of, and expectations to meet. How are we supposed to make time for something as “trivial” as improving our moods?
It is best to start simple by identifying ways to integrate nature time into your daily routine. Here are 3 ways you can get outside this week to help improve your mental health:
1) The After-Dinner Walk – Before you get started on dishes, grab the dog and the kids and head out for a brief stroll around the block. According to a study in the UK of 20,000 adults, even as little as a 30-minute jaunt outdoors four days per week can lead to “significantly greater health and well-being.”
2) The Weekend Picnic – Although incorporating something physical like walking is ideal, even sedentary time outside is helpful for regulating the brain. Consider packing some PB&J sandwiches for lunch on Saturday and finding a nice shady spot at your local park to spend a few minutes just sitting and enjoying the green space. In a study published in 2019, “contact with nature is associated with increases in happiness, subjective well-being, positive affect, positive social interactions and a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as decreases in mental distress.”
3) The Mediation Moment – This one is perhaps the easiest for us to participate in. This week, consider taking your morning coffee or tea outside and give yourself 5-10 minutes of breathing time as the day starts. Yes, you may have to set your alarm a bit earlier, but these few minutes of focused breathing while outside in nature can make all the difference in how you feel that day.
Spending time outside for the benefit of our mental health does not require expensive beach getaways or remote, lengthy camping trips. By implementing these three simple nature moments into your weekly routines, you can help manage your daily stress and help prevent feelings of depression and anxiety.
-written by Chase Cotten, Community Director
References:
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature
