In case you may have failed to notice, the weather in State College this week has been nothing short of beautiful! The leaves have fully changed, the breeze has calmed, and the chill has subsided. However, this period of bliss will certainly not last forever, so you must take advantage of it while you can! Chances are, you probably won’t be so eager to venture outside once you see six inches of snow on the ground. So, while it’s nice out now, take some time to explore campus, go on a hike in the arboretum, find an outdoor study spot, or just have fun with friends. Take this opportunity to find any excuse available to escape the concrete walls and fluorescent lights of your dorm while you can.

Of course, this suggestion doesn’t solely stem from the current state of the weather. While it is true that time is running out for students to enjoy the cool and crisp autumn air, there are also plenty of mental and emotional benefits from spending more time outside. For instance, reduced anxiety and depression and enhanced cognitive abilities have all been regular symptoms of increased exposure to nature, as well as a heightened overall quality of life.

According to the article, “The Great Outdoors,” a severe lack of sun exposure may lead to Vitamin D deficiency, a known risk factor for depression and other health issues, such as high blood pressure or weakened bones. However, too much exposure can lead to melanoma and other forms of skin cancer. So, although sunlight may significantly reduce symptoms of depression as well as Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease, it’s important to moderate how much time one spends under the sun.

But perhaps one of the most interesting correlations noted by the article referenced above is the one between time spent outdoors and your brain’s cortisol levels- cortisol being the hormone responsible for creating all of your stress, whether due to an upcoming exam or a paper deadline. This shouldn’t be all too surprising, since hikers often report feeling much more calm and relaxed after returning from an excursion.

But why is this? Perhaps it stems from the unusual sense of peace that a trail in the woods provides, with light birdsong, the scrambling of squirrels in the underbrush, and the crunch of leaves and sticks under your feet. In this place, the problems which troubled you before now begin to seem so distant, so small. Here, so far from every day life, you are able to think more clearly about what worries you, and perhaps are able to find the solution to a dilemma you’ve been facing.

However, don’t feel as though you must venture out into the woods to find this feeling of peace. In truth, any trek you take outside can offer you the same opportunity of self reflection. Whatever path you choose to take will offer a new perspective on the world around you, and will remind you that there is more than what is currently causing you distress. So, while you still can, go outside.

 

“Move the body, still the mind”

–Anonymous