Opinion: Why you should get outside this spring

Many people are breathing a sigh of relief this month as winter starts showing signs of lifting and we draw ever closer to warmer weather.

In a 2005 Gallup poll, 36% of American respondents listed spring as their favorite season, with the runner-up, fall, at 27%. Warmer temperatures, longer days, and blooming flowers were all cited as things to look forward to in another survey.

There’s a lot to love about the season, especially at USU. Even as we mourn the loss of spring break, the end of the semester is almost within sight. This spring, too, brings wider availability for the COVID-19 vaccine, promising the last months of the pandemic. And in the meantime, the winter gloom is lifting, offering a much-needed reprieve from indoor social distancing.

Many students are already eager to embrace the warmer weather. It’s becoming more and more common to see classmates tuning into Zoom class from outside. They’re on the right track — research shows that being outdoors in green spaces has remarkable effects on physical and emotional well-being. A UK study found that those who spent just two hours a week in green spaces were “substantially more likely to report good health and psychological well-being.” 

In addition, the American Psychological Association reported that nature can hold off loneliness and isolation, promote more cooperation, and improve memory, cognitive flexibility, and attention span. Even images of nature can be beneficial, though the real thing is far more effective. Many people don’t have access to natural spaces, but USU is located perfectly to give students plenty of options for getting outside.

Both campus and the city of Logan offer lawns and parks within fairly easy range, and you only have to go a little further to start exploring the nature of Logan Canyon.

First Dam draws bikers, hikers, and fishers, along with picnics and kayaking in warmer months. Just a little beyond that is Second Dam, with beautiful views of the mountains and pond and hikes through the woods. If you’re able to navigate a brief, steep incline and cross a river, the Hobbit Caves are only about a twenty-minute drive from town. These are just a few of the easily-accessible local places to get out into nature.

In modern society, particularly in the past year, people spend a lot of time indoors. It’s easy to grow used to the comforts of apartments and campus buildings, but it’s also important to take time to explore.

People are wired to be outdoors, to breathe fresh air and look for new and interesting places, and the benefits of doing so can be immense. Whether it’s a weekend outing with friends or a study break walking to a nearby park or green space, taking time for the natural world will let you get out of the same spaces you’ve been haunting since the start of the semester, experience something new and beautiful, and promote your well-being.

Katelyn Allred is an opinion writer in her junior year of college. She’s studying English with an emphasis in creative writing and enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and baking.

katelyn.allred@usu.edu