Estes Park, Colo.: “The mountains are calling and I must go,” said naturalist and conservationist John Muir in an 1873 letter to his sister.

Even before numerous studies concluded that time in nature reduces stress and relieves anxiety, Muir recognized the powerful impact time in the outdoors had on a person’s soul.

As Estes Park Health continues to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, the outdoors can play an important part in how one can overcome daily stress or even more impactful mental health conditions.

No matter how time in the outdoors may be referred — forest bathing, ecotherapy, mindfulness in nature, green time, taking a “nature pill” or a wilderness cure — studies have shown that time spent in nature has a positive impact on mental health. Fresh air, a walk in the woods, sitting by a stream or taking a longer hike can help a person manage stress, improve mood, get focused and increase cognitive function.

A 2019 study published in Frontiers in Psychology demonstrated that spending just 20 minutes in nature helped lower stress hormone levels. The results also concluded that the greatest reduction in cortisol levels, the stress hormone studied, happened after 20 to 30 minutes in nature.

In a place like Estes Park, where the sun shines about 278 days a year, spending 20 minutes outdoors can be as simple as walking around your neighborhood. Elk roam the streets, deer feed in the grassy areas and birds abound throughout the summer, and just about every area of town has stunning views of mountains and ridges.A longer walk along a path like the Lake Estes Trail or the Fish Creek Trail in town, where a portion of the trail can be easily accomplished without completing the full loop, provides an excellent option for a walk at lunch to break up a day at work.

To start the day off right, venture into Rocky Mountain National Park before work or first thing in the morning. The temperatures are cooler and the crowds don’t build until a little later in the morning, providing a quiet, peaceful experience along some of the 350 miles of trails. Start exploring about 20-30 minutes before sunrise and the morning light might reveal a stunning scene of color bathed across the mountains that can help set a positive tone for the day.

Although carving out time to venture outdoors any time of day has positive benefits on mental health, mornings can be particularly beneficial by boosting energy throughout the day, can improve mental clarity and helps to start the day with a positive outlook. Checking off the physical activity goal for the day also gives a sense of accomplishment right out of the gate.

As mental health affects one person, it also can have an impact beyond the individual, including families, communities and coworkers. The same impact happens to those around you when positive changes happen, like improving mood, anxiety levels, focus and cognitive function.

Estes Park Health will continue to explore the topic of mental health throughout May, providing background information about the impacts of mental health and helpful tips to reduce stress and anxiety.

If you are experiencing any signs of a mental health condition, call 911 in an emergency or schedule an appointment with your primary care provider to start a dialogue. Remember, you are not alone. Speak up, raise a voice and help change the conversation about mental health.