A Guide to Stress Management: Outdoor Edition
As world happenings and events compound upon one another to create an atmosphere of uncertainty, it has become ever more important that we take special care to ensure that we are keeping our bodies and minds healthy. We all have different ways of coping with life when things get hard. One of my roommates, for example, has recently uncovered a new passion for adult coloring books, while the other is in the process of binge-watching Schitt’s Creek for the second time. I myself usually turn towards the outdoors when I need a positive outlet for any pent-up energy and anxieties that have accumulated within me over time — and I can’t recommend this strategy enough.
The health benefits of being outside are undeniable. The mere fact that outdoor light exposes you to Vitamin D — a vitamin crucial in immune functionality — means that there are actual physiological benefits to being outside, whether or not you are basking in the sun (with full SPF on, of course) or climbing a mountain (Harvard Health, 2010). Recent research, however, suggests that the positive impacts of being outdoors may not stop at strengthening your immune system.
A 2008 study indicates that nature can actually improve concentration and mitigate the symptoms of children with ADHD — a mental health disorder that can often result in difficulty focusing (Harvard Health, 2010) (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2019). Over the years, many other studies have built upon discoveries of significant mental health benefits being associated with the outdoors. Research backs the idea that anxiety, negative moods, and depression can all be somewhat alleviated by what is known as “green exercise” (Loria, 2018) (Harvard Health, 2010). The term “green exercise” relates to yet another study completed in 2010 that determined there is a link between light and overall mental well-being. Green light — the light that is reflected off grass and leaves — has been shown to positively impact the mental status of people absorbing it — particularly if those people are exercising at the same time (Loria, 2018) (Harvard Health, 2010).
Even if you live in a place as beautiful as Boulder, however, the outdoors may not feel accessible. As someone who grew up here, I can attest to the fact that the outdoor community can often feel really intimidating. It is easy to get overwhelmed by the multitude of sports and pastimes that are offered outside, and you may talk yourself out of ever trying one of them. In an effort to make it a little easier on you, I’ve assembled a quick list of ideas for outdoor recreation that are conducive to any experience and activity level.
Number One: Hike Betasso Preserve
Betasso Preserve is one of my favorite hikes in the Boulder area. About 20 minutes from CU campus, it’s only a quick excursion by car to feel like you’re truly immersed in nature. I love this hike because it allows for some serious exercise, without ever really cranking up the difficulty to a point where it isn’t fun anymore. It’s almost a seven mile loop, but it can easily be turned into a quick “out-and-back” if you’re looking for something a little more low-key. While I have rarely seen the parking lot fill up, I do have a quick word to the wise — the best days for pedestrians on this trail are Wednesdays and Saturdays, while bikes are prohibited. It’s a narrow trail, and so the days when mountain biking is allowed, hikes are often interrupted by steps off trail to make way for them.
For more information on Betasso, click on this link: https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7001019/betasso-preserve
Number Two: Camp at Saddlehorn
For those of you looking to enjoy the great outdoors while also taking in scenery unfamiliar to the average Boulderite, I highly recommend pitching a tent at Saddlehorn Campground. The site is pet-friendly, has ample access to drinking water, and allows for campfires (when there isn’t a fire-ban, of course). There are plenty of hikes in the area, or you can use your time to simply relax and kick-back away from too much civilization.
The National Monument area in which the campground is located attracts tons of visitors year-round for its beautiful landscapes. It’s also easy to make this trip conform to your experience level, as it offers both drive-in and hike-in sites. One thing to be prepared for, however, is that you do need a reservation. Prices vary by season, but fluctuate between $11 and $22 per night.
For more information on Saddlehorn, click on this link: https://thedyrt.com/camping/colorado/colorado-saddlehorn-campground
Number Three: Backpack Crater Lake
Backpacking is one of those pastimes that can be an intimidating undertaking if you’ve never done it before. I wouldn’t recommend a super long or arduous hike when you’re first starting out, because you have less wiggle-room for mistakes, and a super tough experience can scare prospective backpackers away from the activity before they’ve really had a chance to get their feet wet.
This was the first trip that I ever went on, and it provided a great first taste of what backpacking truly has to offer. Just a four mile hike in, it’s easy to pace oneself and soak in the awesome scenery. The site is absolutely beautiful, and offers many locations where one can either pitch a tent or sleep under the stars. The lake is a great place to relax and explore, and also provides plenty of drinking water. My one recommendation is that you look into getting a pass or a reservation — even public lands (which Crater Lake is) often require some sort of paperwork in order to spend the night.
For more information on Crater Lake, click on this link: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/crater-lake-trail
Number Four: Be Mindful in a Park
Mindfulness has been shown to hold many benefits such as mitigating anxiety and depression, as well as helping with stress management (Bullock, 2020). It has also been linked to many physiological benefits, such as reducing inflammation (Bullock, 2020).
Practicing mindfulness outdoors allows for what is called “soft attention” (Bullock, 2020). Soft attention is what your brain participates in when a small, continuous amount of background activity exists in your environment — not enough to completely distract you, but also enough that your mind doesn’t feel the need to take up the silence with overactive and overwhelming thoughts (Bullock, 2020). I have found mindfulness to be incredibly helpful in managing the day-to-day stresses of the school year and, on top of that, the larger stresses that come with a tumultuous world.
The benefits of this outdoor activity are that you can participate in it no matter what access to transportation you have, and it’s easy to tailor it to the length of time you have available (whether that’s five minutes or an entire afternoon).
For more information on the types of mindfulness that you can participate in outside, click on this link: https://www.thepathway2success.com/18-mindfulness-activities-for-outdoors/
Number Five: Let Nature Inspire Creativity
During a hectic school or work year, it’s easy to lose touch with one’s creative side. However, indulging in your creativity every now and then is a really important part of ensuring optimal mental health. Whether you enjoy making music, painting, dancing, or writing, it’s crucial that you make time to create something for yourself. It doesn’t matter whether you’re particularly talented in whatever activity you choose — all that matters is that you enjoy it, and that you’re doing for the sake of letting your creativity flow (as in, it doesn’t count if it’s part of a school project). I myself have recently been getting into guitar. I’ll find a quiet place in a park, away from the crowds, and fumble through some tunes to my heart’s content.
Below are the links to some ideas that can help inspire your next outdoor creativity session!
- For those of you who want to pick up a new instrument: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmnlTWVJysjWPFiZhQ5uudg
- For all you writers out there: https://teachgreenblog.com/2017/01/16/10-creative-writing-prompts-nature/
- For the folks who like drawing and the visual arts: https://juliabausenhardt.com/a-list-of-nature-sketching-prompts-so-you-never-run-out-of-topics/
If you didn’t see your chosen activity in any of these links, all it takes is a quick google search to get the creative juices flowing!
It’s important now more than ever to make an effort to take care of yourself. If you’re struggling with that, I hope that this gives you some ideas on how to take little steps to help get you moving and grooving.
For those in need of greater assistance during these tough times, here’s the number for CU Boulder’s mental health department, CAPS: 303-492-2277
References
Betasso Preserve [Photograph]. (n.d.). Boulder County. https://www.bouldercounty.org/open-space/parks-and-trails/betasso-preserve/
Bratman, S. (2012). Lone Eagle Peak Above Mirror Pond [Photograph]. Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/58388297@N05/7495706918
Bullock, Dr. B. G. (March 5, 2020). The Benefits of Being Mindful Outdoors. Mindful. https://www.mindful.org/the-benefits-of-being-mindful-outdoors/
De Haan, R. (2018). Young Woman Making Watercolor Painting Outdoors [Photograph]. Stocksy. https://www.stocksy.com/1792778/young-woman-making-watercolor-painting-outdoors
Loria, K. (April 22, 2018). Being Outside can Improve Memory, Fight Depression, And Lower Blood Pressure — Here are 12 Science-Backed Reasons to Spend More Time Outdoors. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/why-spending-more-time-outside-is-healthy-2017-7
Mayo Clinic Staff. (June 22, 2019). Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adult-adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-20350878
[Photograph of Tent]. Annmarie. https://www.annmariegianni.com/10-ways-that-spending-time-outdoors-actually-makes-you-healthier/ [Photograph of Young Woman Meditating Outdoors]. American Mountain Guides Association. https://amga.com/yoga-guides-part-ii/Unknown Contributors. (July 2010). A Prescription for Better Health: Go Alfresco. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/a-prescription-for-better-health-go-alfresco
Woodward, W. (n.d.). Colorado National Monument [Photograph]. Recreation.gov. https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234778
Yosemite National Park, California [Photograph]. (n.d.). Greater Good Magazine. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_trees_can_make_you_happier
You must be logged in to post a comment.