Published on Elon University's Wellness Page
Picture this: You are in a forest. It is spring, and the leaves on the trees surrounding you are rustling in a light, warm breeze. You breathe in, and the air is fresh. You feel present and aware of your surroundings.
Can you feel the stress fading away? The idea that nature has healing effects on your mental health may seem obvious. However, most students do not realize that nature’s positive effects are actually backed by science and that the opportunity to escape the stress from academics is only a few minutes away from the “Elon bubble.”
Elon students often express that they wish they spent more time outdoors because of its positive effect on emotions. Senior Alison Filbey, a Policy Studies major, said that she only gets to spend about four hours per week outside. “I wish it was more, but I don’t have time. I enjoy being outdoors, especially when it’s nice outside because it makes me happier,” she said.
Filbey is not the only student to feel a mental benefit from being outdoors. Junior Chris Durant, an Environmental Studies major, spends a lot of time focusing on nature in and outside of his major. “I’ve grown up outside, and I find that the more time I spend outdoors, the more I can focus in class and on schoolwork,” he said. “It helps me mentally reset and allows me to refocus on my long term goals and avoid getting bogged down in the details, especially during difficult times or when I’m really busy.”
These other students’ experiences are, in fact, backed up by science. Trees are part of the reason being in nature has such high mental health benefits. Dr. Qing Li, a professor at the Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, found that trees produce aromatic compounds that cause your brain to have a reaction similar to its response to aromatherapy.
Research shows that nature promotes the relief of symptoms of depression, anxiety and attention disorders. Just spending several minutes in nature correlates with increased endorphins and productivity. Doctors on Shetland Island of Scotland even write nature activities on their prescription cards to benefit patients struggling with mental health.
Yet other students do not understand the mental benefits of spending time outdoors. Senior Kate Wallace is a Media Analytics major, so she said a lot of her work is on a computer. Because computers are hard to work on outside, Wallace said she spends most of her time indoors. “I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything,” she said.
Although the school and work environment at Elon can often get in the way of spending time in nature, there are always opportunities to get the mental benefits of being outside on campus or at locations only a few minutes down the road.
Some students go on a run or walk around campus and some play games like volleyball, basketball, or frisbee. Even just sitting on one of the benches by Lake Mary Nell and observing the ducks, water, and trees for 30-minutes can make a difference.
Students also have the opportunity to visit nature parks in Alamance County. Shallow Ford Natural Area is located just 10-minutes from Elon. The area features four easy to moderate level trails, many along the Haw River, that are used for hiking or biking. These trails cover the span of about five miles.
Lake Mackintosh Park & Marina is only a 15-minute drive from campus. The park offers a wide variety of opportunities including kayaking, canoeing, picnicking, fishing, and hiking or biking down their 5-mile trail.
During the school year, students frequently get stressed and overwhelmed, but spending more time outdoors will combat anxiety and depression while simultaneously increasing productivity. Students have many opportunities to get into the wild in the area. Disconnect from stress and reconnect with your roots in nature today. Your mind will thank you.