Stop and think: When was the last time you really spent time outside?
I am not talking about when you walked to class, sat outside Baker Center doing homework or drank with your friends on a porch.
I mean going outside to do an activity that was for your own enjoyment.
Students are stuck in a routine with classes, studying and extracurricular activities that it seems like there really is not much time to do anything else.
Students end up spending most of their days in a classroom or studying in the library or at home. When there is free time, it is usually spent inside relaxing, binge watching some television or just taking a nap.
The last thing most students want to do at the end of the day is to think about doing anything besides relaxing or getting their work done to be ready for the next day.
There can even be some days that you come home and realize the longest time spent outside was the walk to class to and from where you live.
Students never barely have time for themselves. When they do, they usually don’t have the energy to explore somewhere new.
Students are told over and over to take care of ourselves both mentally and physically, which can be done by going outside just for a little bit everyday.
Going outside can improve short-term memory, help you concentrate and relieve stress. It can also result in better vision, reduced inflammation, and it can have possible anti-cancer benefits.
At some point in four years, every student should take the time to see what the great outdoors in Athens has to offer.
The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is a 42-mile trail that stretches all the way to Nelsonville that you can venture on bike or on foot. If you’re looking for something a little more difficult, hike up Bong Hill, Radar Hill or Witches Hill.
Just a short drive away is Strouds Run State Park that includes hiking trails, a beach and water craft rentals. Even plan a weekend camping trip to Hocking Hills with your friends, which is about an hour outside of Athens.
As The Post’s first special issue of the year, we wanted to look into outdoor recreation that might not be as well-known.
So take time to explore Athens, whether with your friends or on your own, and give yourself the break you need from everyday life.
Ellen Wagner is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University and the editor-in-chief of The Post. Have questions? Email Ellen at ew047615@ohio.edu or tweet her @ewagner19.
