2 Ways To Get More Time In Nature: Hudson Valley and Catskills Edition

Photo Courtesy of N.Y.S. Department of Environmental Conservation

We always hear that spending time in nature is good for us. But what exactly does that mean? I love wandering the woods. You probably love to be outside, too. But like me, you might need to know the why of something to prioritize it enough to make an impact. Here’s why spending time in nature is “good for you”. Nature's shapes and structures, the trees, the plants, the clouds, the tiny salamanders, are composed of fractal patterns, which our brains find easier to compress and process than man-made objects with their sharp angles. This "easier" sensory environment triggers reduced blood flow to the subgenual prefrontal cortex, which in turn lowers rumination, stress, and anxiety! If this sounds interesting or you need evidence, here’s a great podcast episode to listen to.

Worldwide, people spend 25% less time in nature than they did in 1980. I don’t mind saying that’s a little sad - in every sense of the word. But, I’m a goal-oriented person - to prioritize dedicated time in nature this season, I need a couple of reasons to get in the woods. So, here are two “whys” I've engineered to inspire myself to enjoy the natural world just a little more and see how I'll feel after I've spent more time gazing at fractal patterns:  

1. I’m going to collect moss specimens. I find moss fascinating. Moss and lichen are like tiny trees, but tiny trees completely unlike the oaks, pines, and beeches we’re accustomed to. They’re wild. If mosses were the size of a pine, the world would look like a mind-bending sci-fi set! According to this article from Scenic Hudson Valley, in Mohonk Preserve alone, there are 177 species of mosses, along with 36 liverworts and 70 lichens. Here’s my challenge for the spring – collect tiny samples of at least 50 species.

2. I like to be efficient. II’m not only going to get out in the woods - I’m going to take the extra step to find places where I can also put my feet in the water. Putting your feet in a stream lowers cortisol and boosts cognitive function. I plan to take a walk once a week, where I can wade in some nice, cold, mountain water. Here are some hiking trails you might use to do the same!

Catskills & Hudson Valley Hiking Trails 

Kaaterskill Falls Trail - Hunter, NY
You don’t have to put your feet in the waterfall itself (be safe), the stream that runs in and out of the falls is perfect.

Diamond Notch Trail - Lexington, NY 
This trail follows Hollow Tree Brook for quite a while; there are plenty of opportunities to sit down on a mossy rock and let the water flow over your feet.

The Commeau Property Trail - Woodstock, NY
If you want a light walk with no elevation, the Commeau Property is a perfect option. It’s a 1.3-mile hike with access to a stream about one-third of the time.

Vernooy Falls Trail - Kerhonkson, NY
This is the place to go if you want to dip your toes in the pool of a waterfall.

Photo Courtesy of SEE/SWIM

Split Rock Coxing Kill - Gardiner, NY 
This is a popular swimming and wading area, so get there very early if you want alone time. But if you’d like to relax and have a chat with a stranger, this is a good one for you.

Stone Church Preserve - Dover Plains, NY
The church here is a cave made of split metamorphic rock. It’s very cool. The stream that carved it is still there and perfect for a foot soak.

Hot Tip: Feet are sensitive. If the trouble of taking off your hiking shoes and navigating rocks is going to keep you out of the water, standard Crocs to your backpack (I don't recommend you use your Balenciaga Crocs for this), sit somewhere comfortable and dry and put on the Crocs to walk into the stream. Once you find a good spot, you can pull them off.

If you come up with some unique motivational why's that help you prioritize time spent outdoors, I'd love to know.