Those of you that know me, know that I would much rather be outside than indoors. I enjoy the sunshine, the soil for a garden, the mulch around the flowers and the paths in the woods. I feel so blessed when I spend time with friends and our horses on a ride through the woods. Last weekend I was privileged to enjoy a rather wet, but wonderful time reconnecting and re-energizing through trail riding and camping. What is an outdoor activity that you enjoy and gives you a boost in your energy? There’s a fair amount of research that talks about what we gain when we spend time outside. The University of Minnesota shares “Research reveals that environments can increase or reduce our stress, which in turn impacts our bodies. What you are seeing, hearing, experiencing at any moment is changing not only your mood, but how your nervous, endocrine, and immune systems are working. The stress of an unpleasant environment can cause you to feel anxious, or sad, or helpless. This in turn elevates your blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension and suppresses your immune system. A pleasing environment reverses that.”
So, when we enjoy time outside, activities like digging in the dirt or walking in the woods or park or siting by a beach or stream can reduce the stress in our life. We can let go of the “to do” list and savor the sights and sounds around us. Think for a minute: how do the sounds change from your office or your home compared to the sounds in the woods, or a walk in the park? Which sounds and locations bring you relaxation?
Nature helps heal and sooth our bodies and souls. Nature has a way of restoring our mood also. We can go from stressed and depressed to relaxed and more positive after spending time outside. “It provides a respite for our overactive minds, refreshing us for new tasks.”
The beauty of the outdoor color palette is really astounding. Look around at the shades of green, the variety of shapes and sizes and the depth of color surrounding you. With children, try a matching game with the leaves on the trees or even match a page from a coloring book to color with leaves and flowers from the woods. Additional research indicates that trees can be calming to adults and that adult responses to plants are influenced by their childhood interactions with nature. The more time they spent outside as a child, the more positive their attitudes towards nature as an adult.
As the school year draws to a close and many home routines change, please consider making the outdoor classroom part of your summer routine. There are many parks , trails, ponds and streams in our community that offer a new opportunity for exploration and observation with each trip. Why not check our one of our beautiful Ohio State Parks? If your children are grown, commit with a friend or neighbor for a regular walk or hike. Don’t just read about what being outdoors can do for you, try it and see how your experience might change your perspective!
Author: Melinda Hill, Ohio State University Extension, Wayne County, Family and Consumer Sciences
Reviewer: Patrice Powers-Barker, Ohio State University Extension, Lucas County, Family and Consumer Sciences
