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Upon moving to Raleigh from the mountains, I realized just how much I had taken for granted walking outside into the woods or hiking a mountain to clear my mind. My typical de-stressor was much harder to come by in my new urban environment.
Not only were these green spaces hard to find, but the time allocated to getting to them required even more effort. On busy weeks it is hard to prioritize getting outside when finals are looming over our heads and we feel bad for taking even the smallest amounts of time for ourselves.
While people report feeling much happier outdoors than indoors, we actually spend less than 5 percent of our waking hours immersed in nature.
The expectation as a college student to be technologically connected at all times comes at a large price. College and its endless demands can leave students feeling unconnected with nature and the peace associated with it.
Having to check your email or make sure no assignments are due for classes requires a certain level of connection with technology. If you are not connected, you may miss that last-minute email from your professor canceling class.
It seems in our fast-paced world stress is an inevitable byproduct but making a habit of going outside may bring you a much clearer mind when it’s time to be productive. I’ve made a list of a few of my favorite outdoor places in Raleigh, maybe it will inspire you to get outside too.
If you are on campus and find yourself with a quick break, take a quick trip to NC State’s J.C. Raulston Arboretum, which is a living laboratory and research garden for students and the public. The Japanese Garden is a tranquil escape from the bustling campus only a few miles away.
Another option is a trip to the Schenck Memorial Forest which is about 10 minutes from NC State’s campus. The 245-acre forest is managed by NC State as a teaching and resource forest. There are several trails but the most commonly used is the Frances L. Liles Trail. However, the trails are not dog friendly.
Lake Johnson Park has 3 miles of paved greenway along with 2 miles of unpaved trails that are dog friendly. Renting canoes and kayaks is only $5 per hour on the lake that spans more than 150 acres. Stand up paddleboards and Sunfish sailboats can also be rented for $10 per hour. Their boat rental program runs from April 1 to Oct. 31.
If you have a free afternoon and are in the mood for a hike, the Eno River State Park is about 40 minutes outside of Raleigh. The extra time required to get there is so worth it. Nearly 30 miles of trails follow along the stream with rocks on the banks perfect to sit on and enjoy the sunshine.
If you are up for a weekend in the woods, the William B. Umstead State Park in Raleigh allows tent camping. Their campgrounds are open March 15 through Dec. 1. If you are looking for a more rugged camping experience, they have two primitive campgrounds available with reservations for groups of up to 25 people.
Just because we don’t live in an environment that promotes being outdoors doesn’t mean we can’t still find ways to connect ourselves to nature. Believe me, your mental state will thank you later.