Gabrielle Lowery
Staff Writer
As the semester comes to an end, the work is piling up from projects to exams. College students are scrambling to secure passing grades, which means stress is at an all-time high.
However, there are plenty of ways to relieve yourselves of stress, one of which is right outside of your dorms; it is nature.
Studies have shown that spending long hours indoors whether at work, school or closed off in a city can lead to stress, depression, anxiety, disconnection, fatigue and many other problematic health illnesses. These studies also provide an explanation of the connection and importance of our bodies to nature.
Yes, we live in the 21st century surrounded by technological advancements and love to spend time on our technology, but without nature, we would not have the luxury of having these items. Food, water, medicine, materials for shelter and even natural cycles such as climate and nutrients are provided by the natural world.
“Beyond such physical goods, the natural world provides less tangible, but just as important, gifts in terms of beauty, art and spirituality,” said Jeremy Hance, an environmental news reporter. The human body and mind are often drawn to art which extends beyond the beautiful photos we see on social media.
We are able to experience the beauty of the natural world right at UNCG. There are many trails around the campus including the trail in Peabody Park located near the Music Building, as well as the golf course loop, which is located behind the tennis courts and Moore-Strong Residence hall.
According to UNCG, “students should bike or walk instead of driving a car if they stay within 2 miles. Your commute time to/from campus should be 30 minutes or less and will help to improve your health and save you money.”
Simply changing the location from where you are working on assignments from indoors to outdoors can drastically improve the stress caused by the work. The fresh air allows the mind to feel at ease and you are able to breathe and focus better in quiet and open spaces outdoors.
So, as the semester approaches an end and students continue to work towards meeting their goals and getting ready for the summer, mother nature is always right outside. Our bodies remain connected to nature and it is very helpful for relieving stress and other negative emotions or mental illnesses that may arise.
As Marc Bekoff, Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder says, “Humans are a part of nature, not apart from nature.”
Categories: Features
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