{"id":18712,"date":"2025-12-17T17:47:16","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T17:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/mindful\/?page_id=18712"},"modified":"2026-03-17T15:20:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T15:20:22","slug":"walk-unwind","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/mindful\/walk-unwind\/","title":{"rendered":"Walk & Unwind"},"content":{"rendered":"

When we spend so much of our day at the computer, in class, reading and thinking, we can forget about the natural gifts all around us. Our Mindful University Project Walk & Unwind Events are experiences to help participants to unwind and take in all the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of autumn on our campus. <\/span><\/p>\n

Your guide, Gaelen McCormick, trained at the Kripalu School for Mindful Outdoor Leadership and uses a series of short activities and breathing exercises to help us awaken our senses and ease into the present moment. This will not be a long-distance walk, instead we will meander the campus and riverfront areas nearby. Comfy shoes and an appropriate outdoor coat for the weather are all you need.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Benefits of Nature-Based Mindfulness<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n
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  1. Reduces Stress & Cortisol Levels<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Nature exposure lowers cortisol, heart rate, and sympathetic nervous system activity (Park et al., 2010; Hunter et al., 2019; Lee et al., 2011; Nisbet et al., 2019).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    1. Supports Academic & Job-Seeking Stress Reduction<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Forest therapy reduces academic exhaustion and job-search burnout among college students (Seo et al., 2020).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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      1. Improves Cognitive Function & Attention<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Natural environments restore attention and improve working memory and focus (Berman et al., 2008; Meredith et al., 2020).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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        1. Strengthens Mood & Emotional Regulation<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Forest bathing improves anxiety, depression, and emotional balance (Furuyashiki et al., 2019; Lee et al., 2011; Nisbet et al., 2019).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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          1. Enhances Well-being, Connection & Creativity<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Nature increases creativity, sense of meaning, and connection to something larger (Atchley et al., 2012; Mayer & Frantz, 2004).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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            1. Boosts Immune Function & Physiological Health<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Forest bathing increases immune markers and lowers inflammation (Li, 2010).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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              1. Reduces Burnout for Faculty & Staff<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                Regular nature exposure supports resilience, workplace presence, and well-being (Razani et al., 2020).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                Resources at the University of Rochester:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                Books available at the Rush Rhees Library:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n