Mental Health Awareness Month: Take a Walk Outside

PLANO, TX – May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. We want to emphasize the small habits you can build daily to maintain your mental health.

Life can get stressful, and with the everyday hustle and bustle, it’s easy to put our mental well-being on the back burner. In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to highlight some steps you can implement to take care of your mental health this month and beyond. Taking a walk outside is an easy habit you can incorporate into your routine to improve your mental health. With an estimated 1,200 acres of dedicated parkland and over 6 miles of trails, the possibilities for walking in Southlake are endless!

While there are many benefits of walking outdoors, the biggest ones go beyond the advantages of being physically active. Your brain benefits tremendously from outdoor hikes and excursions. For example, just getting a few minutes of fresh air a day helps improve brain function and concentration. For those of us who spend most of our time indoors, this is especially important. Not only does walking outdoors increase productivity, but exposure to Vitamin D is also crucial for healthy brain activity. Of course, one of the best benefits of walking outside is that it’s fun! Getting fresh air and taking in the sounds of nature is a great way to take a break and reduce stress.

The Parks division has made it easy to incorporate this habit into your mental health routine. Our parks and trail system has the perfect walking path for everyone. Bicentennial Park and Bob Jones Park are crowd favorites due to their beautiful trails and recreational opportunities; however, there are many hidden gems throughout the city.

Check out the southwest side of town by walking around the pond at Chesapeake Park. If nature trails are more your thing, you can always hike at the Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve or explore the wetland areas of Gateway Lakes Park. For a more urban feel, combine your next shopping spree with a stroll along the paths of Family Park in Southlake Town Square.

Whatever your preference may be, there is a walking path in Southlake for you. Commit to taking time for your mental health by walking outside for at least 10 minutes every day! Get a comprehensive list of our parks and facilities here.