Enjoy these self-guided walks to improve mental health.
The Five Rivers MetroParks are recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month. They’re making it easier for the community to de-stress outdoors. They’ve introduced four Mindfulness Walks. Visitors will find signs along these short, easy walks. Stop and engage in a variety of simple breathing and meditation activities. These mindfulness activities, developed with input from Dayton Children’s and Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services, can be done anywhere.
Research Shows:
Just 20 minutes a day in nature can really lower stress levels. The mental health benefits of spending time outdoors has been well documented and includes:
- Better sleep
- Enhanced mood and feelings of relaxation
- Lower depression and anxiety
- Enhanced cognitive abilities such as memory, creativity and problem solving
- Improved self-esteem and relationships
- Strengthened immunity and a reduction in chronic illnesses such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes
The new Mindfulness Walks are:
Eastwood MetroPark
Location: 1385 Harshman Rd. (park entrance) or 4349 Springfield St.
Walk on the natural trails along the perimeter of the lagoon. Near the Springfield Street entrance, take the stone bridges to the islands in the lagoon. While you’re at the park, you can also walk the brown trail through the prairie and the blue trail along the Mad River. This is also a portion of the Buckeye Trail and North Country National Scenic Trail — as well as the paved Mad River Trail.
Huffman MetroPark
Location: 4439 Lower Valley Pike
Park near the overlook shelter and take the short natural trail toward Huffman Dam. Continue across the dam for scenic views and a connection with the paved Mad River Trail. If Huffman Lake isn’t flooded, hike natural trails along the lake and Mad River.
Possum Creek MetroPark
Location: 4790 Frytown Rd.
Park in the Argonne Forest lot, the first right-hand turn after you enter Possum Creek.
Hike the 1.5-mile pink trail and/or the 1-mile blue trail, both of which can be accessed from the parking lot. Possum Creek is home to a robust network of natural trails, fishing ponds, horseback riding trails, a small farm and other amenities that allow you to explore the outdoors.
Note: The blue trail Mindfulness Walk is also available as an outing in MetroParks’ mobile app, powered by OuterSpatial. Visit metroparks.org/mobile for more.
Sunrise MetroPark
Location: 50 N. Edwin C. Moses Blvd.
This park, located along the west bank of the Great Miami River, offers great views of the downtown skyline. Look for the Mindfulness Walk signs near the park benches and along the steps leading down to the river. Continue your walk along the paved Great Miami River and Wolf Creek trails.