Fresh air does not feel as free as it used to. Intentionally letting the foreign, yet familiar greenery take over everyday life should not need to be earned or forced. Rather, the outdoors deserves its own time where space is not limited, and we can reconnect our bond with nature.
Growing up, elementary and preschools set aside portions of the day for kids to wander about, play kickball and gossip in the dirt. In Georgia, since the pandemic, elementary school recess is getting shorter and fewer schools have it at all, with the trend appearing in states across the country. Less time outside at earlier ages creates a cascading effect throughout development.
Spending even half an hour a day outside can reinvigorate the mind and body by resetting the body’s circadian rhythm. Time outdoors can improve mental health and cognitive function by enhancing focus, stabilizing mood and reducing anxiety.
Beyond the body, natural sources drive innovations across many different fields. Aircraft engineers used aerodynamic principles from birds to create airplanes. Velcro, ventilation and vehicles like bullet trains all came from ideas rooted in nature. The pattern is clear — being outside provides a source of creativity and rejuvenation. So why is spending less time outside becoming normal?
Third places, social spaces for community and relaxation, such as parks, are not always accessible. Even if they are, they often are not cared for and do not ensure native vegetation remains healthy as climate change disrupts the normal cycle for plants.
My favorite climbing tree at Tech, which provides a nice view and various branches for eating lunch or reading, recently had key limbs removed because they encroached on a parking lot, making it unclimbable. This is one example of the greater trend of people using nature for aesthetics over functionality.
College students, in particular, struggle with “touching grass” as busy schedules, challenging coursework and relationships consume most of the day. With tunnels between buildings and a lack of green spaces around campus, walks to class are seemingly chosen for optimality rather than as a necessary mental break. While doing well academically sets up future professional success, burnout remains an issue. A trail walk will not necessarily solve mental health from academic and social pressures, but mental recess can allow the mind to roam free and employ nature’s restorative properties.
The discussion on outdoor classrooms rekindled during the COVID-19 pandemic as an alternative for children to still attend school while preventing the spread of the virus. Outdoor spaces remove the restrictions of a standard classroom by providing sunlight, inspiration and the opportunity for real-world learning applications. Despite some downsides, like unpredictable weather or potential distractions, classrooms with non-traditional appearances could be the future.
Tech’s campus is a garden full of serendipitous moments. Whether it’s the infamous white-furred squirrel or the improbable Georgia snow, the value of nature remains. Yet, constant construction around campus undermines the already sparse interactions between students and the outdoors.
Each day brings something new: road and sidewalk closures, buses diverted, building renovations and early morning drilling. Construction is important for growth, but the problem lies with new projects starting before others finish. Cities build up projects while cutting down paths to class and destroying natural fixtures.
Temporary construction barriers do not have to be ugly, they can be canvases for murals or feature native barriers. Projects can be considerate of the space and time they take by planning them to be completed in stages rather than all over campus simultaneously. Disruptions to the concrete jungle can be natural and functional like community gardens and rooftop greeneries. Urbanization is not the be-all and end-all of humanity — the outside can remain beautiful.
Nature is not a luxury but a necessity. By integrating natural spaces into our everyday lives and culture, we unlock inspiration and balance. Even amid construction and chaos, beauty is on the horizon. The answers to life or the next midterm may not be hiding at the top of a tree, but nobody knows until they look. So go outside, look around and ponder the possibilities.