A hike a day keeps the doctor away

Raise your hand if you’ve experienced anxiety, stress, depression, too little sleep, too much sleep or all of the above in the last week or two. Well, you are not alone. Young adults are seeking medical treatment and medications at a higher than normal rate these days for these issues and more.

In an American College Health Association report released in 2001, students mentioned depression and anxiety among the top disablements to academic performance.

One way to prevent these symptoms from beginning or getting worse is to turn to nature. Nature? Yes, nature, something we all take for granted and seem too busy to notice at times. It’s free, it’s beautiful and, besides, it smells way better than your small stuffy dorm room.

Nature provides measurable benefits and helps not only our bodies stay healthy, but our minds stay healthy, too. Studies show that nature can improve your mood, increase ability to focus, improve sleep patterns, reduced stress and lower blood pressure.

We live in a 24/7 society, especially us college students, which add to issues of stress, depression and anxiety. Most of us can’t or don’t go without constant connection to our phones. Our generation especially has to take time to disconnect, go off grid, relax and unwind. What better way than with nature? Integrating nature into our busy lives can counter the stressors of urban life.

Whether hiking through fern-lined trails in the woods, skipping stones along a stream, or walking through fields of gently blowing wild flowers, one thing is for certain the scenery will help bring a sense of calmness to you.

You can’t help but be in a good mood when you’re out in nature. You’ll find yourself taking in your surroundings, appreciating our beautiful earth, and focusing less on your problems, classes or relationships. You may even notice you’re checking your phone less! That’s right, less texting and more hiking. Besides, trails can be rocky, and the last thing you need is to trip and break your phone.

There are many hiking trails within a 30-minute drive of campus. Whether you have all day or just an hour or two, the following are a few to definitely check out.

First, Harmony Hill Nature Area, located at 1183 Harmony Hill Road, Downingtown, Pa., offers over six miles of trails and many side trails. All are well maintained.

Stroud Preserve, 454 N Creek Rd, West Chester, Pa. has more than nine miles of trails from easy to moderate.

Ridley Creek State Park, 1023 Sycamore Mills Rd, Media, Pa. has hiking trails throughout the state park.

Be sure to stop at the mansion park o fice for a trail map.

Don’t have a car? No problem. A new trail is located right here on South Campus. The trail is located at the corner of South New Street and Tigue Road near the football stadium. “The Golden Ram Recreational Trail,” as it was dubbed when it opened in spring of 2015, covers a little more than one mile of land that has been left relatively untouched.

So if you’re grabbing Red Bulls for breakfast, downing half-gallons of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream when stressed or sneaking back to your dorm to take naps between classes, chances are you could really benefit from a walk in the woods.

The only thing that stands between you and feeling your ultimate best might just be right outside your front door.

Taylor Tosheff is a fourth-year student majoring in communication studies with a minor in journalism. ?She can be reached at TT801606@wcupa.edu.