You may think the key to being healthy is hitting the gym three times a week and eating your broccoli. But health encompasses a much broader picture — physical, mental, emotional, psychological, and social.
It is now recognized that attending to our health holistically not only makes us happier but also helps us to live longer with less illness and disease.
Self-care is the term used to express the process of tending to our whole selves. This can mean exercising, getting adequate rest, spending time with friends, enjoying a lazy morning in bed with your favorite book, and much more.
Time spent in nature is proven to be an essential part of self-care because it is restorative and relaxing, among many other things. It is just the antidote to our busy (often indoor) lives.
The Paseo Club is a social club in the Santa Clarita Valley with a focus on health, fitness, and community. When members and staff aren’t breaking a sweat at the gym, you can often find them enjoying the great outdoors.
In this article, we will share information about the benefits of spending time in nature, ways to enjoy nature, and where are the best nature spots in the Santa Clarita Valley.
What are the benefits of spending time in nature?
After long days of sitting at work staring at screens, and then recreating with videos and social media, how much are we really enjoying our surroundings?
We have different needs and hopes when we step outdoors into the fresh air. Luckily nature provides us with a host of benefits.
- Reduces loneliness
- Increases relaxation
- Improves your mood
- Improves physical health
- Reduces feelings of stress and anger
- Improves confidence and self-esteem
- Help you to feel more connected to nature
- Encourages an increase in physical activity
- Help you learn about your local flora, fauna, and community
Can spending time in nature benefit people of all ages?
Children, adults, and seniors are all deprived of time in nature.
Youth
Young people are often over-scheduled with school, childcare, and extracurricular classes. Their opportunity for free play on their own or with friends in nature is minimal. Free play is great for social bonding and supporting the imagination.
Time in nature benefits children's mental, emotional, and physical health and boosts their academic performance. Although we may cringe watching our children get filthy, playing with dirt has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress levels in children.
Even pregnant mothers can help give their babies a strong start because spending time in nature improves birth outcomes.
Adults
Adults, especially parents, are facing unprecedented challenges. The cost of living is high, work hours are long, and there is a lot of pressure to provide the best opportunities to children possible.
Evidence shows that living in greener urban areas is associated with lower probabilities of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, asthma hospitalization, mental distress, and ultimately mortality, among adults.
Seniors
Seniors make up almost 17% of the US population, and about 80% of seniors live in towns and cities. Although some seniors may face access issues, they need time in green spaces as much as anyone else.
These factors not only improve the quality of seniors' lives, it actually prolongs life.
What are ways that people can enjoy nature?
Nature is an encompassing term. It can mean forests, meadows, mountains, valleys, beaches, streams, lakes, deserts, and more. But even stepping outside into your neighborhood benefits your health.
There are many ways to reap the rewards of spending time in nature.
Walking
Heading outdoors to take a walk in the sunshine can help promote a sense of nature and give you most of the benefits, providing a quick reset.
Walking is the most accessible modality since you can do this anywhere, for any length of time that you have available. Even a ten-minute walk around the block can reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
Hiking
With a little extra time on your hands, you can achieve more benefits by going on a hike.
Choose a longer hike with more elevation for physical gains as well as mental/emotional.
If you are interested in a meandering stroll, take a meditative walk. Notice the plant life, listen to birds sing, and explore the smells around you. This practice can soothe your nerves and boost your mood.
Biking
Hop on your mountain bike for an exhilarating ride (and a more heart-pounding push to get up the hills!) or a leisurely cruise on paseos or bike paths.
Biking is a great sport to integrate for commuting to and from the office, giving you a little mental break before and after a day of work.
Camping
Summer is thought of as the season for camping but getting out into nature in the spring and fall can be just as fun — without the crowds.
Camping provides an immersive experience that allows you to sink even deeper into your natural surroundings. You can also diversify your outdoor activities — hiking, fishing, swimming, and meditation all in one weekend.
Plus, sleeping out under the stars is unforgettable!
Swimming
Taking a dip in natural bodies of water is a fun and exhilarating experience for kids and adults. It is a great way to cool off on hot days and relax on the beach or shore resting and relaxing. Don’t forget to pack a picnic!
Fishing
For many outdoorsy people, fishing is both a sport and a meditation. Fishing can provide you hours of quiet time with just your fishing pole, tackle box, and the great outdoors. It is an effective way to unplug and unwind.
Meditating (aka relaxing)
While people often think of meditation as a complex ritual to be carried out with great formality, there are many ways to enjoy meditative experiences.
Meditation is the act of being mindful. You can use your breath as a focus, setting aside thoughts, worries, and to-do lists. This practice calms anxiety and lowers stress.
Finding a peaceful place outdoors to walk, sit, or stretch is a wonderful way to practice meditation. If you want to sit, bring a blanket or towel, and make sure you wear enough layers to be comfortable. You can sit as little as 5-10 minutes and as much as an hour or more.
Pack a journal for some reflective writing. Alternately, bring colored pencils or a small watercolor set to engage in some plein air artwork.
The 4 best nature spots in the Santa Clarita Valley
The Santa Clarita Valley is home to some of the most lovely high desert, chaparral-covered hillsides. Each season offers special highlights allowing you to appreciate the natural beauty year-round.
1. Placerita Nature Center
Take advantage of the Placerita Nature Center’s hiking options, or enjoy some downtime just admiring the trees. With the abundant birds, you can take the time to identify them or watch their soaring wings in the air.
2. Mentryville
Savor the mountain air and see the booming oil town of the 1880s. Check out the Pico No. 4 oil well, now registered as National Landmark after becoming the longest-operating oil well in the world before closing in 1990. With parks, an abandoned schoolhouse, and other buildings, it’s a great blend of history and nature all rolled into one! This is a great destination for families with children.
3. The Santa Clarita paseo trails
With 30 miles of paved trails, Santa Clarita offers a uniquely connected system of bike and running trails. Easily accessible from numerous locations throughout Santa Clarita, the paseos offer the chance to commune with nature right outside your door. Highlights include the Santa Clarita riverbed and all the surrounding mountain ranges.
4. Castaic Lake
Just a few miles up the road from the Santa Clarita Valley lies Castaic Lake, the largest state water project reservoir. With over 11,000 acres of parkland and open space, the lakes are an easy way to get your nature fix in without leaving town.
There are two lakes. The lower lake is for non-power boating, canoeing, and swimming. The upper lake is for power boating, water and jet skiing, and fishing. You can also camp at the lakes. There is something for everyone on the water!
Making time for nature
There are numerous benefits to spending time outdoors. Even taking in the visuals of nature (forest screensaver, anyone?) can help to reduce anger, fear, and stress, and support a more relaxed outlook.
Whether you like spending time in your garden, hiking, or taking a dip at the lake, there are dozens of options to enjoy being outside.
The Paseo Club has both indoor and outdoor areas where over 60 fitness classes are offered weekly. Members enjoy the outdoor pickleball and tennis courts, and the junior Olympic pool open year-round.
If you are looking for a community-focused fitness club, then the Paseo Club may be the place for you. Come in today for a tour of the club so you can check out the facilities and meet staff and members.
To learn more about your wonderful community of the Santa Clarita Valley, read these three articles.
- Brunch in the Santa Clarita Valley: An in-depth review
- How to serve your Santa Clarita community (In celebration of National Volunteer Month)
