For students asking for reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and maybe improve memory, the easiest answer could be just outside your door. Literally.
A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology reports that participants who spent just five minutes sitting in nature experienced an increase in positive emotions, and one of the study’s authors, Katherine D. Arbuthnott, says that the “fastest and easiest way” to an emotional boost is simply spending a few minutes outdoors.
So what about nature makes us so relaxed? For one, the visual aspects of nature have a soothing effect on our brain. Dr. Jason Strauss, a psychiatrist at Cambridge Health Alliance, says, “Having something pleasant to focus on like trees and greenery helps distract your mind from negative thinking, so your thoughts become less filled with worry.”
The other stress-reducing aspect of nature is auditory. So just opening your window or taking a second to listen to the cicadas or even the silence on your walk to ZSR can lower blood pressure and levels of the stress hormone cortisol, calming your body’s body’s fight-or-flight response.
Here are 6 ways to take advantage of our beautiful campus for your own benefit.
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Study outside. It’s not for everyone, but with the weather this nice and plenty of spots across campus to grind out some homework, it’s the perfect multitask that helps you destress when you need it most. Just find a shady spot (laptop glare can give you headaches), relax, and get to work!
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Take your coffee or tea outside. One of my favorite ways to start my day is with a cup of coffee out on the deck. Taking just a few minutes to get in the right headspace, relax, and get some peace and quiet outside before things get hectic helps me organize my thoughts and feel more centered for the rest of the day.
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Doddle, draw, or paint. You don’t have to be an artist to reap the benefits of art. Creating art relieves stress, encourages creative thinking, increases brain plasticity, and imparts other mental health benefits. Combine that with the added stress relief of being outdoors, and you’ve found one of the most relaxing and beneficial activities for your mental health. No art supplies? Bob Ross Art Club meets every Sunday from 4-6, welcomes all skill levels, and provides all the supplies you need to destress!
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Take a walk on Reynolda Trails. Whether you just want to get off campus for lunch, are going for a jog or just need to clear your head, the serene trails leading to Reynolda Village are a quick escape whenever you need. For an added dose of nature (and some insta-worthy photo ops), swing by the Reynolda Gardens and enjoy the view.
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Go on an OP trip. Whether it’s a sunset hike, backpacking, kayaking, yoga, or horseback riding, Outdoor Pursuits offers an opportunity for everyone to get out into nature, explore our off-campus surroundings, and meet lots of new people. If you’re looking to spend more time in nature but want someone else to plan your trip for you, OP has great options for everyone.
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Watch the sunrise or sunset (OK, maybe just the sunset). Taking a few minutes to step outside and admire the gorgeous NC sunset (or sunrise, if you’re brave enough to get up that early) can be a perfect way to not only recharge from a study session or clear your head, but studies have shown that admiring a particularly beautiful aspect of nature induces a sense of awe and wonder that both relaxes us and makes us happier.
Source:
Calum Neill, Janelle Gerard & Katherine D. Arbuthnott (2019) Nature contact and mood benefits: contact duration and mood type, The Journal of Positive Psychology, 14:6, 756-767, DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2018.1557242