Spring has arrived in full force at Wake Forest, with tulips popping up through the dirt outside Benson and cherry blossom trees blooming in Tribble Courtyard.
The season also brings new academic stresses, including midterms, final projects, club events and even graduation. The sunshine offers an escape from these worries, but most of us forget it’s there; opting to sit in the library and cross one thing after another off our “to-do” lists instead.
But it may be more important than ever to go outside and “photosynthesize,” so to speak. Research shows that sunlight offers positive health benefits. While humans don’t capture energy from the sun in the same way plants do, we actually do perform a type of photosynthesis. Sun exposure triggers reactions in our skin that synthesize vitamin D, an essential vitamin for skeletal development in children and good bone health in adults.
A lack of sun can cause vitamin D deficiency, which can affect bone and muscle health as well as the functioning of the nervous system and immune system.
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Beyond providing the body with necessary vitamins, sunshine can boost your mood, regulate sleep patterns, reduce seasonal depression following winter and contribute to overall mental and physical wellness.
And the sun is just one of many reasons to go outside. Research shows that being in nature offers immense health benefits. Spending time outside is associated with increased levels of positive emotions, better social interactions and decreased levels of mental health problems such as stress and anxiety. Furthermore, access to green spaces can offer a reduced risk of cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases.
Nature can even help students improve their academic performance. Research suggests that time outside improves memory and attention control, as well as creativity. So not only does going outside make us feel better, but it also measurably improves our health and our cognitive abilities.
And there are so many places to go outside and enjoy the sun and the fresh air at Wake Forest. Benches and tables dot the campus, under broad magnolia trees or in grassy fields. The Campus Garden next to the sophomore parking lot offers an opportunity to garden while you unwind from classes, and the Reynolda Gardens are just a short walk away.
Mateo Aguirre, a second-year student double-majoring in environmental science and politics & international affairs, and a Campus Garden intern with the Office of Sustainability, reflected on his own experiences communing with nature. He said he believes spending time outdoors is beneficial for students.
“Spending time outdoors has always helped me focus and ground myself after a long day of classes,” Aguirre said. “Volunteering and working at the Campus Garden has particularly given me a sense of purpose and inspiration I take into my classes and daily life. Students should take advantage of our garden and outdoor spaces for their well-being and to find a connection to our shared spaces.”
Spring has sprung, and there is no better time than to get outside. Grab lunch to go and find a picnic table to eat outside. Take a small study break and walk under the magnolias on the lower quad. Or choose to study outside, where you can soak up the sun while you try to learn what the phospholipid bilayer is. Truly, we should all go outside and “photosynthesize,” and Wake Forest’s beautiful campus offers countless places to do so.