Trek the Trails: Teens should go on nature walks for health benefits

Summer is calling. There are only a couple months left until our days will be spent at the neighborhood pool and bike rides through the park under the golden sun and bright blue sky. But instead of using our phones as coping devices to make it through the last stretch of school, let’s take advantage of the nicer weather and get outside. Grab your sneakers and sunscreen — it’s nature walk season.

Being cooped up inside on a gorgeous day can be even more miserable than the dreary Kansas winters. I get it — school, homework and activities make it near impossible to find the time to get Vitamin D. But even 10 minutes outdoors is better than none, and it’s worth it to squeeze in some time for yourself, especially at the end of a stressful day. Plus, it’s quick and easy cardio.

So ditch that Pre-Calc homework — you can get back to it later — and go catch a breath of fresh air. 

A study of 20,000 people conducted by the European Centre for Environment & Human Health at the University of Exeter found that those who spend just two hours a week in nature were more likely to report improved physical and psychological health than those who don’t. Two hours may sound unmanageable to a busy high schooler, but you can split that time into small visits throughout your week by simply walking for 30 minutes just four days a week.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a regular brisk walk can help maintain a healthy weight, strengthen muscles and bones and improve mood and coordination. With these health benefits and many more, a couple of hours a week of walking should be a reasonable amount for many teens, especially since walks are a low-effort activity and don’t require much thought.

At the same time, the simplicity of walking without doing anything else could dissuade someone who isn’t used to slowing down and being disconnected from their phone for so long. It takes time to get into “the zone,” and sometimes I can’t shake my stress from the school day at all. But that mental break from my tedious school day routine helps to clear my mind before a test and focus during long class periods.

It’s ultra-relaxing for me to go from the hustle-bustle of school to the sounds of chirping birds and swaying trees, but there are plenty of other things to listen to. When I want a little entertainment, I’ll plug in some headphones and play upbeat music, Emma Chamberlain podcasts or my favorite: walking meditation videos. YouTube and Spotify have a wide selection with various video lengths to fit how long you’re planning to walk.

Now that you’ve planned out what you’re going to do while walking, all that’s left is picking a location. You can either go for some laps around your neighborhood park or take on a forested trail for the full nature experience. A few trails nearby East are the South Lake Loop, Loose Park Pond Loop and the one I always go to — Tomahawk Creek Trail.

Once you’ve decided on a location, what are you waiting for? Tie those shoe laces, pop in AirPods and get walking.