This week for my inquiry project, I decided to engage with nature and the outdoors by visiting a few different popular locations in Victoria. Since it is the end of the semester and assignment deadlines are on the horizon, I took some time to clear and reset my mind outside. As my inquiry has discussed throughout these blog posts, the outdoors and nature can provide several benefits to an individuals mental and physical health. Personally, sometimes after a long day in front of the computer screen I feel mentally drained. Because of this, I find it difficult to work up the energy to actually participate in a hike or do an extreme amount of physical exercise. Instead, I have found enjoyment and relaxation through taking a simple walk by the water to seek fresh air.

This week I visited the Esquimalt Lagoon, the Breakwater and Gyro Beach all in Victoria, B.C. The weather this week was beautiful, which already improved my mood by seeing the sun shining. I visited the Lagoon and Gyro Beach both during sunset, with a friend who is also in this program. We needed some time apart from doing homework and to clear our minds. The Lagoon was beautiful at sunset, and the salty smell of the ocean tied it all together peacefully. It was very calming to sit on a log and talk about things outside of school, and to remember that at the end of the day we are more than just students in University. We both have personal lives and external situations going on, and it was refreshing to be able to take some time to ourselves. Gyro beach also provided a beautiful sunset. It was very quiet at sunset, and it was soothing to sit and relax in peace and take in all that nature at the beach had to offer. In addition, the Breakwater was also an excellent place to unwind. It is a nice, long walk out into the water where you can view Victoria’s downtown from a different perspective. It enabled me to engage in some physical activity while walking down the cement path, while also relaxing my mind and easing my anxieties.

The purpose of this post to illuminate that not all outdoor exploration requires an intense workout where you are left sore, drained and sweaty. Instead, I am hoping to highlight that even a simple walk at sunset or during a sunny day can positively impact an individual’s mood and mindset, while also providing a light physical activity.

Below I have attached a few photos from these adventures. I find that when I take pictures during these explorations, I am able to look back at them and remember what it felt like to be there during that time. It is easy to look at the photos and get lost in the feeling of what it was like during that experience, and remember the positive impacts that nature has when you are in need of some rejuvenation!