This semester is so busy! What’s a good opportunity for self-care on campus?

First, there are so many amazing resources on campus, and a good place to start is visiting uhw.msu.edu to learn more. And despite the snow, this week we celebrated the first official day of spring! So I want to call attention to a resource that will get us all outside and into nature. Research shows that spending time outdoors has significant mental health benefits, and we are so lucky to have one of the greenest, most beautiful campuses in the country. And if you’re going to trust anyone to be a good judge of that, it should be us squirrels!

Beal Botanical Garden is one of my favorite spots on campus, and for over 150 years, it has provided a space for us to connect to and learn about nature. Recognizing the nurturing energy of botanical spaces, Beal Botanical Garden created a wellness program called Nurture Your Roots that will help you cultivate a better day for yourself — just stop by one of the garden’s “rooting stations.” You can pick up a free pocket journal that includes poetry, mindful journaling prompts, drawing activities, mindfulness exercises and more, or you can experience music, poetry and prose, guided meditation and movement activities, so you can feel more grounded during this busy semester.

Learn more about the program and find a map of all the rooting stations throughout the garden online.