Over Spring Break, along with my boyfriend and a couple of other close friends, I embarked on an adventure to Big Sur along the California coast.
With camping gear and tons of yummy food stowed in our packs, we headed out. Where we ended up took my breath away. Our campsite was located right on the side of the mountain and overlooked the ocean. When I woke up, I could take a few steps out of my tent and watch whales passing by every morning as I drank my coffee. It was remarkable!
I’ve read numerous articles detailing how nature is beneficial for stress management and my own personal experiences have done nothing but corroborate those findings.
When we decided to venture to Big Sur, I was hoping for a relaxing vacation away from the realities of school and work for a while, but I had no idea that I was planning a trip to Wonderland. The entire time we were immersed in the natural beauty of the mountainous coast, I felt as though I had stumbled down the rabbit hole alongside Alice. From the brightly colored flowers to the wildlife and towering trees, I felt completely transported to another world. My breaths felt fuller and my perspective about the world around me has completely turned around.
It is so crucial to allow yourself to leave the vet school bubble. Don’t get me wrong, most of the time, I love where I am and the opportunities provided for me, but that is not all there is. I’ve said this countless times before, but it’s worth reiterating. The world is so incredibly huge and we are one tiny piece of a much larger puzzle. We have an important role to play but there is also so much to experience beyond our own tiny corner of the universe. There is no better time than now to go out and embrace that chance. Stress and responsibilities will always exist, but being in nature and taking a tiny time out every once in a while empowers you to weather everyday challenges and storms with more ease.
Nature is calling, it’s up to you to answer.
