In this month’s What’s Up student column, EUSA ESC volunteer Aada Tiermas, explores the importance of outdoor physical activity and nature environments for our overall well-being.

Through personal experiences, she reflects on the role outdoor environments and physical activities have in her life. Time spent outdoors in nature can support wellbeing beyond typical physical activity, help to recharge and gain energy, while also offering variety, challenge, and experiences that differ from those of indoor activities.

During our days, we spend a lot of time indoors studying or working, and the time we have outdoors is limited. Especially during winter times when there’s a limited amount of daylight, and it is often already getting dark when we are finished with our daily tasks. As our lives are centred more and more in urban environments, a decline in outdoor experiences and connection with nature has been noticed, especially among the younger people. Student-life can be filled with various stress factors, such as deadlines and adjusting to a new life-stage, thus outdoor activities and connecting with nature might not be the top priority.

Physical activity of any kind is good, however, physical activity outdoors can have additional benefits for health and well-being that go beyond the benefits that are generally associated with physical activity. Nature provides various opportunities for physical activity and sports, but additionally it has a positive effect on emotional and cognitive functions as well as it can provide an environment that enables feelings of being away, providing a break from the student-life pressures. Moreover, outdoor activities positively influence mental health, quality of life, happiness, and life satisfaction as well as reduce feelings of tension, anxiety, or loneliness among various other things.

For me, spending time outdoors in nature, whether it is just walking or doing more extreme sports, has become an activity and a place that helps me to recharge, brings energy, and at the same time I’m not thinking about other things or stress. It gives a break from all the rush and noise of cities, and I can just enjoy the quietness and nature sounds. As a child outdoor time happened more naturally and spontaneously, which then decreased as I grew up. When I studied I realised that going outdoors really affected how I was feeling, and a little walk outdoors in between lectures really made a difference.

I have noticed that it is almost a necessity for me with the effect it has on my overall mood, which is why I now try to spend time outdoors every day. It is not every day that I have time to go into nature, but I at least then try to bicycle or walk to places, so I can get some time outdoors. I still make sure that every week I will go into nature, even if it is just a short run or walk there, but it is a good way to reset and relax.

Other than that, I’ve been getting into downhill biking, which for me gives the thrill and adrenaline of physical activity that I sometimes need, while also allowing me to enjoy nature at the same time. When going down a hill at a fast speed, you need to be fully focused on the task with a clear mind, and the feeling at the bottom of the hill is very rewarding. Additionally, it has been nice to swim a distance in a lake with friends, as this gives a different kind of challenge compared to swimming in a pool.

As I also enjoy doing a lot of sports, I have noticed that now I almost only exercise outdoors instead of indoors, and the activities vary by season. During warmer months I like running, bicycling, and swimming, which then change to cross-country skiing, and skiing during winter. Now living this year in Slovenia, the winter sports have been more or less on a break, and instead I have enjoyed going to hikes almost every week as the nature and landscapes are quite different from what I’m used to back in Finland, with all the high mountains and little villages.

It has also been interesting to understand better how people from other countries and cultures perceive and participate in outdoor activities. Growing up in Finland, where nature is very close to you basically everywhere, spending time outside has always been a natural part of life, and we were outside regardless of the weather, as the saying goes “there’s no bad weather, just bad clothing”. However, some days it is still hard to get motivation to go exercise or spend time outside. On those days, I try to remind myself that even a short walk or being outside for a few minutes is enough. I have also noticed that, for example, running, when it is slightly raining or snowing, is surprisingly nice and has its own atmosphere.

Overall, spending time outdoors has become an essential part of my everyday life. It is not always about performance or intensity, but rather about being present, and allowing space to recharge. Whether it is a calming walk or a thrilling downhill biking, spending time outdoors is something I want to continue prioritising, as it has proven to be one of the most effective and sustainable ways for me to support both my mental and physical health.

The author of the text is Aada Tiermas from Finland, a graduate with a Master’s degree in Sport Management and Business, who is passionate about all kinds of sports and outdoor activities. She is currently serving as a European Solidarity Corps volunteer at the EUSA Office in Ljubljana.

Are you a student with an opinion? We are looking for new contributors for our student column every month. Feel free to contact stc@eusa.eu to offer a piece or propose a topic.