With the coming of spring, many students are finding the weather progressively warmer, the sun out longer, and the plants green once again. Though Missouri weather is inconsistent at best, people are beginning to do more outside, like taking walks or playing sports. These changes in environment and routine help students to feel more energetic while helping them enjoy spending time in nature.
For instance, junior Mackenzie Uglum, one of FHC’s cross country runners, has an outdoor schedule that is often weather-dependent.
“I hate cold, and I hate rain, so I will not go out when it’s cold and rainy, but if it’s warm and sunny, I’ll go outside,” Uglum said. “I went creek stomping last weekend. It was cold, but it was pretty fun. Today, I’m definitely going again, because it’s 80 degrees, so it’ll be nice.”
Creek stomping is walking down a creek or riverbed looking for geodes and agates.
Similarly, there are many hobbies that students can participate in outdoors. Junior Lincoln Buchheit does a plethora of activities outdoors, including helping his dad.
“Mountain biking, dirt biking, working on a house. My dad is a self-employed carpenter,” Buchheit said. “When I’m doing these activities, it makes me giddy, because it’s what I always want to do.”
All of these activities are made more available by the energy that comes with a sunny spring morning. In an article by Hartford Healthcare about the reasons people feel better in the spring, Dr. Jim O’Dea recognizes that with the increased sunlight from the changing of seasons, people may experience many health benefits.
“More sunlight means more serotonin, the feel-good chemical in your brain which boosts your mood,” Dr. O’Dea said. “And on top of that, your body produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight– which is also linked to mental health.”
But, there are physical benefits to spending time outside, too. It helps students make time to get moving; for example, climbing a tree builds a person’s upper body strength. The melted snow creates an outdoor environment that is significantly warmer. These create great opportunities to go on walks and spend time with friends. While doing this, a person adds Vitamin D to their system, which can help with bone strength by aiding calcium absorption.
Also, the increased light can help regulate a person’s day-night cycle, making them feel more well-rested when they wake up. This boost in energy can be helpful for many students, and it improves their mental well-being.
Simply the return of nature can also significantly help a person’s mental health. Research shows that it lowers cortisol, a stress chemical in people’s minds, which is released in similar situations to adrenaline and causes the liver to move glucose into the bloodstream. Uglum appreciates the de-stressing aspect of nature.
“It’s peaceful for me, the outside sounds of birds. It’s really nice to hear it,” Uglum said. “[Walks are] definitely a big de-stressor. They clear my mind. If I’m struggling to think about something, I’ll go for a walk outside.”
In all, whether taking a walk, making a garden, or playing a sport with one’s friends, there are many different opportunities to feel better in the warmer weather.
