Take A Walk Outside To Better Your Mental State

Humans have become increasingly urbanized and according to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, “urbanization is associated with increased levels of mental illness”. In order to combat this, people are looking towards nature. 

In various surveys, people self-reported that they had decreased feelings of stress, anxiety and depression after exposure to nature. Through research by Dr. Gregory Bratman of Stanford, it was found that after people participated in a nature walk, there was decreased brain activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex, and this section of the brain is associated with worrying and rumination.  

Here are some ways to embrace the fall weather around UNH and New Hampshire!

• Go for a hike at Adam’s Point in Durham, NH
• Head to the White Mountains for leaf peeping
• Take a walk on the College Woods Trail 

If your goal is to destress, or you want to turn your mood around head outside!