Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
- Nature offers a mental health reset, requiring minimal effort, says Dave Whittekiend.
- Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest attracts five million visitors annually, surpassing some national parks.
- Andrea Nelson suggests returning to childhood activities for mental rejuvenation in 2025.
SALT LAKE CITY — Getting over those post Christmas blues can be hard and even some of the resolutions that were set for 2025 have already gone by the wayside.
Nature can be a reset button for your mental health and it actually takes just a little effort.
"I always just enjoy getting out and looking at nature's beauty, and I find that to be a great way to reset and get a fresh perspective on the day the year, whatever might be going on. I think it is great opportunity, and I think there are a lot of mental health benefits and physical health benefits to probably disconnecting and getting out and hiking," said Dave Whittekiend, supervisor of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
"And, you know, it doesn't have to be something extreme. It can be just going for a walk. And there's value in that,"
In the more than two million acres it encompasses, the forested landscape of Uinta-Wasatch-Cache is tucked up snuggly along the Wasatch Front and southwestern Wyoming, offering a bounty of opportunities to enjoy nature.
The forest is visited by an estimated five million people every year. Whittekiend said it is among the top five places visited in the country, even outperforming national parks in some circumstances.
He said Bells Canyon, for example, offers an easy opportunity for a hiking trip in this area and is frequently used by Utah residents as well as others. The Sandy attraction gives people the chance to see a lake and waterfalls.
Sarah Dillin often frequents Bells Canyon and hikes with her 3-year-old daughter, Khepri, once a week.
"I usually have her be the leader. If I'm like, 'OK let's go this way, she's like, no.' So usually I just have her lead and I follow, and it helps her feel a little bit in charge, and she has fun as well."
For Dillin, getting out in nature is a chance to meditate and reflect. At one point, she was active in a group dedicated to hiking and moms, but she broke away and decided to do her own thing. When the weather warms up, she will hike more but she still commits to once or twice a week exploring.
The Green Mountain Club offers several tips for mothers to embrace as they explore nature with their children.
Rattlesnake Loop in Millcreek Canyon is another easy hike. This time of year it might be muddy and the forest supervisor warned to be prepared for that.
There are some simple ways to hit reset on your mental health in 2025, offered by The Nature Conservancy, which operates the largest tract of undeveloped land in eastern Davis County with 4,400 acres dedicated to wetlands preservation and uplands protection on the shores of the Great Salt Lake.
"Nature makes us happier, healthier and safer," said Andrea Nelson, who runs the Wings and Water program at the preserve that is specifically designed for fourth graders to help them learn and understand nature. Her advice on how to reset?
Return to something you did as a child. Perhaps you have a bike in the garage that is collecting dust. Add air to the tires, put on a helmet and ride around your neighborhood. Maybe you used to run a few miles a week before you started a new job, and you got out of your running routine. Now could be a great time to rebuild that habit that made you feel so good.
Sit on a park bench or your front porch and observe nature using all five senses. What do you hear, smell, feel? You can download I-Naturalist to record what you see and learn more.
Visit the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve. Check out unique winter formations called Microbialites. The Utah Geological Survey has this to say: "Microbialites have been forming on Earth for billions of years and can be found worldwide in the fossil record." It goes on to add: "If you would like to see these amazing microbialite structures firsthand (without having to swim in 10 feet of water), Bridger Bay on Antelope Island offers the most convenient location. We ask that visitors DO NOT walk on these delicate structures. They easily break apart under the weight of a person, and what took hundreds of years to build can be ruined with one errant step."
Birding can become an incredible way to spend time in nature. You can start small by spreading seed across your patio table and watch for visitors. There are different apps that help you identify birds and bird songs as well as create a list of species you'd like to search for that are prevalent in your area.
Incorporate simple art projects in nature. Grab a pad and colored pencils or a watercolor set before heading to a park or preserve and create on paper what you see in nature. You can download the Merlin App by Cornell to record the birds that stop by to eat, then identify what species they are.
