The climate is warming, the birds are chirping, and the outdoors are calling.  Spring is finally showing its green colors and sunny skies after a long and bitter winter.   So don’t hold back, embrace your spring fever and get outside in the sun.  It will benefit you in more ways than you may think:

Vitamin D:  Spending time outside and in the sun actually allows you to absorb this valuable vitamin.  This can help protect against future bone problems, diabetes, heart disease, and many other health issues.

Vision:  Believe it or not, spending time outside can decrease your chances of becoming nearsighted.  By exercising your long distance vision, you actually strengthen it.

Exercise:  One of the more recognized benefits from being outside is the exercise that the outdoors often coincides with.  Do whatever: play Frisbee, go for a run, take a walk, or anything to get your heart rate up and expend some energy.

The Mind:  Studies have also proven that exposure to nature can reduce ADHD symptoms and improve one’s ability to focus.  Spending time outdoors can improve critical thinking skills which translates to students’ performances in school.

The Spirit:  We all know that being outside can help clear your mind and ease your stresses, and there is also science to back this up.  Being outdoors can release endorphin which promotes longevity and optimistic perspective.  Stress levels have been proven to fall significantly after just minutes of being exposed to a green environment.

Try to take full advantage of the nice weather that we are expecting over the next couple weeks here at Penn State.  Spend a few hours each day out in the fresh air.  Hike Mount Nittany, throw a football, play cricket, hopscotch, whatever.  Even if you are too swamped with schoolwork to get outside and have fun, try taking your notes or homework outside – the outdoor environment may just provide the mental boost that your studying needs.