From the editor: Spend time outdoors this summer to embrace nature and manage your stress
Art by Chelsea Lai
I feel most at peace when I’m outdoors. Whether it’s in a forest trail, at a beach, or even in my backyard, spending time outside not only boosts my mood but reminds me that the world is so much bigger than my own personal life, and my problems really aren’t worth stressing over.
Nature is one of those things that can often be taken for granted as we are surrounded by it everyday. It’s a piece of our standardized environment, making it easy to turn a blind eye to the forested area near your house or failing to register the birds chirping as the sun rises.
We might even dislike nature at times because it can be, as with many things, a bit ugly. There’s spiders, bugs, and a laundry list of other spine-chilling creatures, but also horrific climate events like hurricanes, tsunamis, and droughts. There’s also the notoriously despised rain, which us British Columbians know all too well.
Despite these negative attributes, it’s important to embrace the good with the bad and take in your surroundings, and there’s no better time to start doing it than now. Summer is the one season where B.C. truly shines. This province has so much to offer us, from its various beaches and lakes to forests and parks.
As students, life can feel extremely overwhelming and stressful when trying to juggle course loads, potential work, and personal and social lives. It often feels like there isn’t enough time in a day. There’s been countless occasions where I’ve wished a day was at least 30 hours instead of 24, which I’m sure is a similar experience for many.
During these distraught times, it’s important to try and take a step back to find a sense of calm. One of the best ways to do this is by spending time in nature.
According to the Canadian Psychological Association, research found that just one to 10 minutes in nature a day can increase attention, decrease stress, and boost your mood, while two hours per week has been linked to overall better health and well-being and 20 minutes per day is best for reducing stress hormones. Other benefits to spending time outdoors includes improved sleep, boosted immune function, and mental restoration, according to Healthline.
Now the time you spend in nature doesn’t have to be some grand adventure like hiking or camping, which can be fun but challenging to find time for with a busy schedule. Instead, it can be as simple as going for an evening walk around your neighbourhood or a nearby park.
If you don’t have time for a local excursion, taking whatever it is you may be working on to your backyard, porch, or balcony is a great way to enjoy that fresh air while continuing productivity. However, it is important to take breaks. One of my favourite things to do when I don’t feel like going for a walk is taking a book outside to read or my laptop to watch a show or movie.
Whatever you’re doing or wherever you may be, it’s important to take in the nature around you by breathing deeply and being observant. Pay attention to those chirping birds or the dog fetching a ball. Notice the clouds in the sky, how green the grass is, the formation of trees and shrubs, those vibrant flowers, how the breeze feels against your skin, and the smells in the air.
I promise that afterwards, you will feel much more relaxed, unwound, and have an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the beautiful Earth we live on.
