As the temperatures finally start rising, HSS lawn fills with students desperate to get a bit of sunlight in between classes. Aside from maintaining the spring break tan, going outside has been proven to have a positive impact on both your mind and body.

For Ty Young, a junior studying civil engineering, being the president of the Running Club at the University of Tennessee has helped him see the benefits of being active and outdoors.

“It helps me stay in the mental capacity for school,” Young said. ”If I work all day, and then I get an hour and a half of just running with friends outside, it helps me get back. That’s like my break, and then I come back from dinner, and I’m ready to keep going.”

While running in general is a great workout, Young said that running outside offers more benefits to mindset and positivity.

“I won’t get the same effect on a treadmill,” Young said.

Sun exposure has been proven to increase vitamin D levels which is a key component in everyday health. However, Vitamin D deficiency is a growing concern. A 2014 study from The East Tennessee State University found that nearly 70% of college students ages 18-29 had suboptimal levels of Vitamin D during the winter.

UT lecturer and registered dietician Lee Murphy agrees that many Americans have low-normal or low Vitamin D levels which impacts both physical and mental health.

“If vit D levels are low, research has shown links to depression, anxiety, and even worsening symptoms of other conditions like ADD/ADHD and other mood disorders,” Murphy said in an email. “Vitamin D functions to regulate calcium in the body—including a relation to bone and muscular health, among other functions. It’s also involved in immunity and other system functions.”

Sun exposure is one of the primary sources of vitamin D. A 2021 study from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science says that being in the sun is “unarguably the most optimal way to obtain vitamin D.” In addition to other health benefits, being in the sun can increase levels of vitamin D with much less risk of vitamin D toxicity because it is naturally received and processed in the body.

Being in the sun for 30 minutes without sunscreen can be enough to meet an adequate amount of vitamin D, according to the 2021 study. However, be careful not to spend too much time outside without SPF protection to avoid risk of skin damage and cancer.

It can be challenging to find engaging ways to spend time outdoors, especially with a full course load, work and on-campus activities. There are many student organizations that may be able to help by providing engaging activities outdoors and a community.

The Running Club meets for four days a week, Monday through Thursday at 5:30 outside of TRECS.

“We accept paces at every level, and everybody starts somewhere… It’s a great community, and they’re all amazing. Everybody is super friendly,” Young said.

If you’re looking for an outside adventure but running isn’t your niche, there’s also University of Tennessee Outdoor Pursuits.

UTOP caters to a variety of skill levels with opportunities such as paddleboarding on the Tennessee River, hiking and climbing gear rentals and guided trips. From afternoon “microadventures” to whitewater kayaking weekends, program coordinator Josh Elder is confident there is a UTOP experience for nearly everyone.

“The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for any UT Student to experience what makes East Tennessee so awesome,” Elder said.

Elder, a past UT graduate student, enjoys activities such as whitewater kayaking and climbing as ways to stay focused on what is currently happening.

“It gives you the ability to put all those other things that might be causing some stress in your life to the side and be present in exactly where you are at that moment,” Elder said.

It can be easy to worry about what’s ahead with final projects and exams looming in the near future. Even if you cannot dedicate time solely to an outdoor activity, you can combine your time in the sun with your study schedule, and there are numerous spots on campus to sunbathe and study when HSS lawn is overcrowded.

The lawn outside Ayres Hall offers a peaceful outdoor space with a landscape of classic UT architecture that’s worth the trek up the stairs. With students traveling to and from classes, the lawn inspires an academic feel, perfect for an exam review session on your own or with friends.

Behind the College of Communications and Information building is Patricia D. Williams Terrace, accessible from the third floor of CCI. This hidden gem provides a stunning view of Neyland and the Tennessee River.

When looking for a study break, check out the outdoor pool at TRECS. The pool is reminiscent of summer days, offering a temporary reprieve from the Canvas notifications.

If you’re searching for sunshine at UT, there are a variety of spaces and campus organizations to explore to make getting outdoors a part of your routine, boosting your vitamin D levels in the process.