Mental Spring Cleaning

With spring in session, new opportunities arise. The weather slowly gets warmer, the grass gets a little greener, birds start chirping again, and we begin to see blossoms blooming throughout the trees. Mother nature gets her fresh start.

Sometimes, we find ourselves in a mental slump, and it’s fairly common for mental health to get worse throughout the winter months; maybe you have experienced “seasonal depression.” There are a variety of ways to cope with our mental health. One way to help clear our minds is by spending time outside. Mother nature gives us an opportunity for new beginnings.

The relationship between our mental health and spending time outside has been studied countless times throughout the years. It became extremely popular during the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020. Understandably so, since during this time, many people stayed inside for the majority of their day, and mental health concerns grew exceedingly worse.

An article from the University of Utah Health from 2021 states that Utah is one of the best places to research the correlation between recreational activities and mental health because of its recreation and capacity for research. The same article also stated that those who spent 120 minutes a week outside experienced improved mood and productivity throughout their day-to-day life.

I asked a handful of about 30 random students at the University of Utah whether they believed participating in outdoor recreational activities like hiking, skiing, etc., improved their mental health, and only one student said no. This poll can, however, be taken with a grain of salt, considering all these students go to the University of Utah, and a majority of students choose this University for the easy accessibility to skiing and the mountains.

According to another article published by the National Library of Medicine in 2021, after conducting a variety of studies, they found that those who participate in nature-based activities found themselves experiencing fewer symptoms of both Depression and Anxiety.

Today, we are often consumed with technology and pressured by workloads. Urban areas can also create sensory overload and increase our stress levels. The National Library of Medicine explains that taking time in nature helps relax our minds, allowing us to decompress from daily demands. Going for a walk outside can help improve your thought process if you’re in a stressful situation.

The National Library of Medicine also emphasises that physical activity improves your mental health, in addition to your physical health. Furthermore, regular physical activity enhances sleep quality. Exercising outside is oftentimes more intense yet the most enjoyable, and people who exercise outside are more likely to stay in the habit. Outdoor acitivies such as skiing, hiking, trail running, etc., therefore improve your physical and mental health, and it is more beneficial than indoor forms of excersise.

Outdor recreational activities can also put us into a flow state. Flow is a theory introduced by positive psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. A flow state is when your body and mind flow together, you are intensely focusing on something, time feels altered, and you are working hard, yet it feels effortless. It can also be described as feeling “in the zone.” We experience flow when we put our full attention into things we are passionate about; for some people, this could be skiing, rock climbing, etc. While experiencing flow, our minds clear, and our usual thoughts and feelings that consume us fade away.

Are you now a little more motivated to go outside? Looking for a way to clear your head? Here are some things to do this spring!

With the snow melting and the weather starting to get warmer, we are given the green light for more outdoor activities. While you can spend time in the mountains in the winter, the warmer weather makes it a little easier, and if you are someone who hates the cold, it is a lot more enjoyable. One thing I love about the spring season is the feeling of hope and the excitement of being able to do your outdoor warm-weather activities again.

The Wasatch is renowned for hiking, hammocking, rock climbing, and so much more. Depending on the year, ski resorts may also still be open. Spring is a great season for outdoor recreation because we can do a variety of things. Of course, it depends on the weather and varies each year, but usually, you can go spring skiing one day and hike with minimal snow lower in the mountains another day. Just make sure to check the weather each day and go appropriately prepared.

If you are a skier or snowboarder, check out Milly Meltdown at Brighton, which usually takes place in May. This is a fun opportunity to spring ski. You can also watch for other ski resorts closing dates that vary yearly.

During the spring, I also highly recommend hiking to waterfalls; the snowmelt means these waterfalls are flowing heavily and at their peak. Gloria Falls is an easy, popular hike located in Little Cottonwood Canyon. The hike roundtrip is only a little over 2 miles. Sewart Falls is another popular waterfall hike located in Provo Canyon. Sewart Falls is moderate, about 3.4 miles roundtrip. Donut Falls is located in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Roundtrip, this hike is 1.5 miles. If you are looking for a simple “hike,” consider visiting Lisa Falls. The trail is located on the side of the road in Little Cottonwood Canyon, and the waterfall is about a five-minute walk. While the waterfall is small, it’s a perfect place to relax and read a book.

Rock climbing and mountain biking are also great spring-season activities. Or maybe you are just simply going for a walk. Just make sure to always be prepared, bring the needed gear, tell someone your plan, and check the weather beforehand. Spring in Utah can be bi-polar and unpredictable. Watch out for mud and high water levels. But also take the chance to look for spring flowers. Spring is a beautiful time in the Wasatch and a reminder that change in life is a good thing.

The mountains perform their own “spring cleaning,” and we can spend our time outside to help “spring clean” our minds. When life gets too overwhelming, and stress levels rise, never doubt the effects of simply stepping outside and spending time outdoors.  My dad has always told me, “It’s in our backyard,” and he is absolutely right. We are lucky enough to live in a gorgeous state that provides numerous recreational activities and opportunities to spend time outside.

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