As the weather is starting to get more spring-like, students and community members are spending more and more time outdoors, so it is fitting that April is Earth month.
Getting outside is a great way to take a brain break from homework or studying, and has been shown to have a multitude of health benefits. Research published in the Harvard Health Letter lists five health benefits of being outside. The five health benefits include raising Vitamin D levels, more exercise, improved mood, improved concentration and may promote faster healing and recovery.
Taking a walk around campus, the block or a favorite park can be a great, simple way to spend time outside if you are in a hurry. If you are getting bored of doing the same loop all of the time, there are some other places that you might want to try.
With a variety of flowers, trees and other plants, the University of Idaho new Arboretum is a very nice place to take a break and destress. Another great place to take a walk is through East City Park and the surrounding neighborhood, which is accessible through the bus route. This time of year is great for blossoming flowers and tulips in the gardens around East City Park, which is located at 900 East Third Street. Some of the amenities at the park include a covered picnic shelter, a playground, restrooms, a sand volleyball court, a basketball court, drinking fountains, bicycle racks and horseshoe pits.
If walks aren’t for you, there are other outdoor adventures that are within the Moscow area that will get you outside and active. Some other great ways to get outside and relieve some stress include playing catch at the Kibbie Dome turf or going on a bike ride on the Bill Chipman trail toward Pullman or on Paradise Path heading to Troy. The Student Rec Center also has some great programs through the Outdoor Program that can get students outside to enjoy the beautiful Palouse.
If you have access to a vehicle, there are some great hikes and activities that are less than a half hour drive away. Across the Washington border in Whitman County are over five miles of hiking trails at Kamiak Butte County Park. Even closer than Kamiak Butte is Moscow Mountain, which has great mountain biking and hiking trails.
Spending the time outdoors will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the last part of the semester. Even doing a little bit of exercise can release endorphins like dopamine in your brain that will better your mood and decrease your stress and anxiety. The natural light from being outside is very important to your health and wellbeing as it increases your alertness and productivity throughout the day. There is also a hormonal reaction that occurs when the body is exposed to light that promotes the many different activities of the body.
These are all great ways to appreciate the Earth this month, reduce stress levels and get up and active as the weather continues to improve. For more health information, visit our Vandal Health Education Resource Room in the Student Health Center (University Ave. entrance) or find us online at www.uidaho.edu/VandalHealth.
Emma Balasz is a peer health educator and can be reached at [email protected]