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By: Jack Martindale 10/8/26
Fall Break is coming very soon. You’ll be at home without a worry about schoolwork or early wake-up mornings. But one thing dawns on you. What will you do with all this free time? It’s a question many people ask for fall break, and I believe there is a clear answer. Go outside. Venture into the woods, ride a bike, go fishing or hiking, do something outdoors over your break. There are many reasons to, including but not limited to, improvement of mental health, fulfillment, and freedom. These are only some of the benefits of putting yourself in nature.
First of all, going outside into nature can greatly improve your mental health. As little as 10 to 20 minutes of being in nature can lower cortisol levels (which is the body’s main stress hormone). Spending time in nature without common distractions, such as phones, can improve your mental focus and clear your head of constant stimulation. The non-stop stimulation of social media makes it difficult to clear your head and put the phone down, and in most cases, that’s by design. If you can will yourself to go out into nature, then you will find a sense of calm that is extremely difficult to find anywhere else.
The Waterfall at Mccormick's creek.
My second reason is something a bit more philosophical than the first, but it is definitely worth considering. Everyone wants to feel fulfilled. They want to say to themselves that they accomplished something. Something to be proud of. Often people chase this fulfillment through online things. Whether that’s seeking validation from strangers on social media or winning at a video game. However, these small hits of dopamine (the feel-good hormone) won’t make you proud of yourself really; they just fake it. So instead, find something to do in nature. Set a goal for yourself to complete and work hard to achieve it. You could set a goal like exploring a trail, going for a run, or finding animals; it doesn’t really matter. All that matters is, you will feel proud of yourself for meeting the goal. This will improve mental health, focus, and self-confidence.
Mccormick's creek
Finally, you will feel freedom when out in nature. Away from the confines of the online world and constant judgement, go out into the woods. Where nothing judges anything, where there isn’t any constant need for validation, where there aren’t any people trying to control you. The trees will stand their ground, without pushing you. The dirt will rest below your feet without a thought. Nothing in those woods or forests hates you, and you will be able to rest, without worrying about the thoughts of others.
All in all, fall break is an opportunity to break free from the chaos of everything. And if you can, go into nature. Because this life is short. So take the time, like during fall break, to go outside, because if you don’t, you will regret it.
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