It’s almost the end of the semester. The anxiety is kicking in, the exams are endless and the stress is through the roof. You’re cramming in the library for the fourth day in a row and you know you can’t keep doing this to yourself anymore. What’s a girl to do?
The answer is quite simple: Go outside.
According to Psych Central, it is scientifically proven that being outside can boost your immune system. But while I’m all for avoiding the UF plague, I wanted to know what being outside does for my mental health and not just physical health. So I dedicated the past few weeks to getting outside more, and I’ve already seen crazy results. [Hint: clearer skin and fewer naps needed.] Being immersed in nature has a way of making you forget about your problems and instead feel content and safe. Not only is connecting with nature a basic human need – it also benefits the body and mind.
“I live in Gainesville, though… where is all the nature?”
If you only have a few minutes between classes, the Plaza of the Americas is the place for you. A few minutes of soaking in the Florida sun (and some ridiculously great people watching) and you will start feeling better. A study done at the University of Rochester, New York, shows that even just 20 minutes outdoors can have the same pick-me-up effect as an entire cup of coffee because of the instantly energizing powers of nature. A refreshed mindset and you get to save the $5 you would have spent at Starbucks? It doesn’t get better than that.
Many of us come from hometowns where the ocean is a short drive away, and everyone knows how great a beach day can make you feel. In Gainesville, we may not have a source of vitamin “sea,” but Lake Alice is a convenient and calming place to enjoy the water. This semester I have made a habit of watching the sunset over Lake Alice for a relaxing end to a long day. Blue Space, or being near water causing a meditative state of calm focus and gentle awareness, has been shown to lower stress levels, relief from anxiety and depression, improved mental clarity and better sleep quality.
These are just two places on campus – but if you have a whole day, Gainesville has many options, such as Paynes Prairie, Kanapaha Gardens, Devil’s Millhopper, Ginnie Springs and so many more. If you want increased brain function and more happiness, start setting aside a few minutes each day to spend time in the great outdoors and watch your life change from the inside out.
Photo credit: voltacollaborative.com