Some ways to have fun in nature

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of us are experiencing difficult times. And now, with online schooling, students’ mental health is seriously impacted as students are feeling more isolated than ever. Compared to years prior to the pandemic, students are spending more time on screens and less time outdoors with nature. One of the greatest things about nature is that it is a comforting place to heal.

That being said, here are some fun nature activities to brighten a mundane day. Hopefully, these activities will help turn a stressful day into a more relaxing one. Each one of these activities has a variety of benefits, so don’t forget to try all of them when there’s time. 

1. Watching a sunset or a sunrise

People often forget that they live on a rock that orbits a bright star (the sun) but watching a sunset or a sunrise can be a perfect reminder. Sunsets and sunrises are beautiful to watch- with plenty of colours that compliment one another, making it very pleasing to the eyes. It is something new to see compared to the typical blue sky. Sunsets and sunrises have a calming effect and helps give a better sense of gratitude for the Earth. It gets rid of any other distractions, perhaps any of the stress weighing down against people, and restores a sense of peace. 

2. Walking outside

Another simple yet fun activity is going for walks outside. Walks don’t have to be for a long period of time, and they can be easily done wherever. Take a quick walk in between lunch breaks or whenever there’s free time. While doing this activity, be sure to take in the nature in the surrounding environment. There are plenty of parks in Toronto with beautiful trails if anyone wants an extra scenic route. Going outside for nature walks is not only fun, it’s also extremely beneficial. Breathing fresh air outside can promote wellbeing and can help relieve stress, especially after more assignments start piling up. It can also increase energy levels, elevate mood and much more.

3. Biking

Also, an exciting activity to do is biking. The fun part about biking is the gentle speed of biking. It is like flying without wings; the light breeze, the rush of speed going downhill, and so much more. It also has plenty of benefits. Biking can help ease feelings of depression, stress and anxiety, as well as help strengthen leg muscles. For a morning person, this would be a great activity to start the day off with. However, anyone can enjoy the simplicity and relaxing therapy of casual biking.