Spending time outdoors is an essential part of everyone’s well-being, and perhaps even more so for teenagers. Being cooped up inside all day can lead to feelings of restlessness, boredom, and even depression. Fortunately, spending time outside can have numerous therapeutic benefits for teenagers.
One of the main benefits is the improved mental health that being outdoors can provide. Exposure to natural sunlight has been linked to improved mood and decreased stress levels. In addition, being outdoors in nature can increase creativity and productivity, as well as reduce mental fatigue.
Physical exercise is another important part of teenage life, and being outdoors provides the perfect environment for it. Regular outdoor activities can not only improve physical fitness but can also offer an opportunity to explore, experiment and take risks in a safe and supervised environment. Spending time outdoors can also help to develop social skills and connect with others. Group activities like sports can be great for meeting new people and building social relationships.
Outdoor activities in the spring here include biking and backpacking, white water rafting, and fishing. Reconnecting with nature that way in a therapeutic context can change a person’s outlook on life, their sense of self-worth, and induce a feeling of spiritual connectedness with the universe. Being exposed to the grandeur of nature can give you a sense of peace and harmony.
Once the temperatures rise in the summer, a lot of the outdoor activities happen on the water. Fishing—a very popular activity with most kids—continues all year round. Turning Winds has a slip on a nearby lake and clients get to go there multiple times a week in the summer. There is a pontoon boat for swimming and other water fun.
