Free Response-- Rachel Freeman

 Since we've been talking about ecotherapy a lot in class, I've started to take note of how my exposure to nature has really had an impact on my mood, motivation, attitude, health, and more. The days on campus when it is sunny and warm with a slight breeze are the days when I feel happiest, purposeful, active, and motivated to exercise, do my assignments, and am okay with stepping out of my usual schedule in order to enjoy new experiences and people. For example, Yesterday I spent all day outside either working on a Spanish project, writing a paper, or playing volleyball with some people I'd never met before. I had no problem with feeling like I wasn't getting enough done or staying on top of all the smaller tasks that I would usually take as a failure for not doing. Today, I got up early and got outside to get some work done before my Spanish presentation, and I already feel so much better about the day and ready to have another relaxing, yet productive day. Safe to say, the environment of this campus and the weather are some of the leading factors in how a day is going to play out. 

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