With only three weeks left in the semester, final projects, exams and impending assignments currently loom over Fordham students. With a seemingly never-ending to-do list, it can be difficult to leave the library. The week before finals is commonly referred to as “Hell Week” for a reason; with the constant pressure of academics and personal tasks, students’ stress levels naturally increase.
According to professors in the department of kinesiology and nutrition sciences at the University of Nevada Las Vegas Tessa Koschel and John C. Young, 32% of students experience physiological markers indicating increased levels of stress. Another study found that more than 89% of survey respondents felt increased stress from studying for and taking finals.
While stress is blooming in students’ lives during the final weeks of this semester, so are trees and flowers as spring arrives in New York City. Although the beauty of the season alone motivates many to spend time outdoors, there are also direct, measurable benefits that indicate that getting outside improves stress levels and overall academic performance for students.
The Japanese Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest or forest bathing) was coined by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 1982, highlighting how making contact with the atmosphere of the forest can improve both an individual’s mental and physical state.
Time spent in nature is proven to improve mood, well-being and mental health. Research collected by Cornell Health establishes that even short breaks outside can help reset focus, increase motivation and give crucial mental breaks throughout long study periods.
Maura Dagon, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’29, finds great benefit from study breaks, especially when they are taken outside.
“It really helps to make time to take a break while you’re studying … I like to go to the park, maybe go for a walk. It really resets me,” Dagon said.
The Japanese Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest or forest bathing) was coined by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 1982, highlighting how making contact with the atmosphere of the forest can improve both an individual’s mental and physical state. Studies by environmental research professor at Nippon Medical School Qin Li et al. and professor at Park Chungnam National University Bum-Jin Park et al. have researched how Shinrin-yoku and time connecting with nature manipulates levels of specific stress-impacting hormones. In particular, feel-good hormones such as serotonin increase in nature, while stress hormones such as cortisol are reduced.
The shift in hormonal levels is crucial in helping the body to relax, allowing students to take exams and complete assignments with a clearer, more productive mindset.
Living in New York City, there are many free and close places for students to spend time outside to relieve stress.
Central Park is only 0.3 miles from the Fordham Lincoln Center (FLC) campus, and between 72nd and 96th Streets there are currently several blossoming cherry blossom trees. There are many paths and trails students can walk along to have a rare escape from the large buildings. The park offers an environment with a variety of opportunities to interact with wildlife and greenery.
Another option is The Highline. Only 1.8 miles from FLC, the elevated park provides beautiful views of the city with carefully curated greenery along the path. It has a great 1.45 mile trail where students can walk and absorb the outside before returning to studying.
For those who are at Rose Hill for the day, take advantage of the beautiful Botanical Gardens. Fordham students have free admission, and it is a great place to disconnect and enjoy nature for its 1.7 mile loop.
Another option closer to FLC is the West Side Highway, providing a relaxing waterfront view for walking, running, biking and even just sitting in one of the parks to admire the view. Along the path, there are opportunities to play beach volleyball, pickleball and more athletic activities for an active break.
Finally, for those really not wanting to travel, step right outside Lowenstein after class and take a minute to sit on the plaza. Take advantage of the campus, as FLC has one of the largest green spaces among New York City colleges.
While the library may seem like the only place one can venture to, it is important not to forget the value of a brain break in nature. Spring in New York City will not last much longer, so students must get outside while the flowers are still in full bloom. More importantly, the outside can ultimately help with grades, completing assignments and most of all, mental health.
