Bearbells by Leslie Noonan

It felt very strange to write “2025”.  As a child of the seventies I had assumed that by 2025 I would living in a very futuristic time, but except for driverless cars and a dependence on cell phones, not much has changed.  Well, perhaps I have acquired a few wrinkles and grey hairs.  It is also the time of year for those resolutions that most likely will never make it past the end of the month and leave us feeling disappointed and guilty.  Instead, can I suggest making an easy lifestyle change?  It is free, anyone of any ability can do it, and you only have to step out your door to see improvements in your life.  That’s right, just go outside!

I have been reading research articles on how being in nature can have huge benefits, from lower mental health disorders and lower stress, to improved concentration and even increased empathy.  The great thing is that even urban green spaces can have the same benefits, so you don’t need to drive out to the country to feel better.  Even the green spaces around schools and office buildings are thought to improve self-control and cognition, while conversely being surrounded by concrete and glass may cause attention deficits.  Even listening to birds and waves are beneficial.  All the more reason to get outside and away from our electronics.  My favorite take away is that children who spend time in greenspaces are kinder to each other and more willing to cooperate with other.  What a better place this world would be if everyone took a long walk in nature.

My eighteen year old son is spending too much time in his room and on his phone, so I cajoled him into a snowshoe hike in the Copeland Forest in the hopes of reaping some of those outdoor benefits.  This 4,400 acre forest boasts a large number of trails that are used year round for hiking, skiing, fat and mountain biking and of course snowshoeing.  We parked in the north lot off of Ingram road, which was well plowed with plenty of parking.  The trail was hard packed from all the visitors and we didn’t need our snowshoes to navigate the trail.  We trucked along through the forest, trees heavy with snow and the weak winter sun just visible through the thin grey clouds.  A short “yip” alerted us to a small canine sporting a fantastic blue jacket running towards with tail wagging.  Copeland is popular with dog families, though not everyone is considerate about picking up their fur babies refuse.   Up ahead a woman was attempting to pry up a poopsicle from the trail, as previous hikers had left evidence of their passing right in the middle of the narrow track.   We stopped for a short chat then continued on at a fast pace, as I could hear the train coming and wanted to be at the tracks to see it race past.  We made it in time to feel the ground shake beneath us and the cold wind coming off the brightly colored cars.  I had a moment of consternation as the hiking trail travels down a sharp incline before it crosses over the railroad tracks, and I had visions of me losing my footing and sliding head first toward that rumbling train.  Not today, and as the train sped away in the distance we were free to start up the hill and continue our hike.  My son and I enjoyed our green time and returned to the car feeling more relaxed.  More importantly, we felt more connected to nature and to each other.  So get outside, enjoy all the benefits that Mother Nature offers.