Why? As a busy college student why should you get outside and try new things? Why not just go to the gym, watch tv, or play video games? For me, the word adventure means to experience something new in order to achieve a feeling of excitement or contentment. Getting outside is huge for maintaining positive mental health. College is stressful. Navigating relationships, suffering through challenging classes and discovering self-identity can easily become overwhelming. It's easy to become lost in this period of time in your life and lose sight of yourself and your personal goals and well-being. For me, the biggest prevention for this is getting outside and connecting with nature. Don't worry! Connecting with nature doesn't have to be a whole hippy experience where you become one with the earth. It can be as simple as going on a short walk and listening to music. It can be driving an hour to experience a new place or trying a new thing like ice skating. When I came to Rochester I was told multiple times that the winters here are miserable, that it's easy to feel down in the gloomy, grey, and cold weather. I found this to be true. On days when it's dark and cold its easy to lose motivation and become discontent in where you live or what you're doing. It's hard to motivate yourself to get outside when it's cold or windy, but with proper gear and an open attitude I argue that you can enjoy being in nature anytime of year. To me, nature = happiness. I recognize the cliche here, but I have never been happier than when I'm on a hike or exploring a new park. Surprises are always round the corner whether it's a cute deer or a pretty view, enjoying the simple things or experiences around you can be just as rewarding as traveling on a big adventure. Having come from New Hampshire and the beautiful White Mountains, I was skeptical to come to Rochester. My whole life I had dreamed of these big adventures, of mountain tops and the unknown. Rochester seemed boring in comparison to these dreams . I was wrong. I hadn't given Rochester the chance it deserved. I hadn't realized that a short drive away could lead to small but rewarding new experiences. I was quick to judge. I was quick to forget that for me prioritizing getting outside meant prioritizing my mental health. Anxiety and mental health struggles are inevitable in a college environment and it's easy to let problems creep in until they become the norm and you completely lose sight of the carefree spirit that had once defined you before. There have been points in my college experience where because of anxiety I have become overwhelmed and barely managed to make it to classes, hiding away in the safety of my apartment. What got me out of these funks was getting some fresh air, and repeatedly taking an hour or two to go on a walk and clear my head. The power of nature is huge. All you have to do is give it a chance and be open to finding your next adventure.
The American Phsycological Association Agrees. In 2020 they released an article with these key points:
" - Spending time in nature is linked to both cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health and emotional well-being.
- Feeling connected to nature can produce similar benefits to well-being, regardless of how much time one spends outdoors.
- Both green spaces and blue spaces (aquatic environments) produce well-being benefits. More remote and biodiverse spaces may be particularly helpful, though even urban parks and trees can lead to positive outcomes." (WEIR, 2020)
Additional Suggestions:
- Bring along a friend. Sharing fun experiences with others can often make them more rewarding. Above is a picture of my friend Alycia from a snowy trip we took to Cummings Nature Center.
- Keep an eye out for wildlife. Above is a photo I took at Mendon Ponds where there are an abundance of deer to enjoy.