As someone whose classes are all remote this semester – and whose dorm building is conveniently connected to the BearsDen dining hall – I’ve noticed that my time spent outside has slowly begun to dwindle. It’s not a conscious choice – I’m not actively deciding to stay inside all day – it’s really just a matter of simplicity. I wake up, I go to class, I grab some food, and I do my homework with my friends.
This is all well and good – I’m being productive and getting some social interaction. But staying inside for prolonged periods of time, I’ve come to learn, is not great for your mental and physical health. There are various reasons for this, including the fact that our lungs need fresh air, walking around outdoors is good for your muscles, and seeing the color green (i.e. grass, trees) makes you feel calmer.
In my experience, whenever I begin to feel overwhelmed with school or homework, I find that walking outside helps clear my head. Getting some fresh air, waving to people as I catch them between classes, and admiring the fall leaves is a unique experience. It helps me remember that there is a world outside of my dorm room – that I don’t need to worry about school 24/7.
To be fair, many of us may have had our fill of walking during the lockdown. After all, there wasn’t much else to do other than walking the dog, going on a socially distant jog with your friends, or taking a mandatory family walk every afternoon just to get everyone away from the puzzle you couldn’t bring yourselves to finish. Plus, it’s getting cold!
Even so, just being outside for a few minutes – if not to go on a walk but to exercise or go get food or explore campus – can make you feel refreshed and more productive. I’ve come to realize that one of the highlights of my day is when I make the effort to get fresh air and admire campus. It’s even better if you can convince some friends to go with you!
If you can, try to get outside at least once a day. At the very least, it will help you combat zoom fatigue! Or, if the cold weather is deterring you, I also find that having a plant in my room makes the whole space feel brighter. Plus, if they’re green, seeing them should make you feel calmer!
Sources:
– https://www.verywellmind.com/color-psychology-green-2795817
– https://www.rallyhealth.com/fitness/walking-good-great-workout
– https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/05/health/colorscope-green-environment-calm/index.html