We all know the saying "stop and smell the flowers", but very few of us actually take a break out of our busy lives to stop and look around at our surroundings. I know I struggle with this for sure. I am one of those people who wants to constantly be busy. Being busy makes me feel like I am accomplishing things, and when I am not constantly doing something I feel like I am wasting time.

As college students we all have a lot on our plates during this time of the year. We are a month away from final exams, but in the meantime we are having to worry about project after project, test after test, and late night after late night. We spend hours upon hours in our room, in the lab, in the library or anywhere else that we feel we study the best in. We spend countless hours on one paper just to move on to the next paper. Every week we tell ourselves that we just have to get through this week then we can finally get a normal amount of sleep, instead of the four or less hours that we are used to getting. During this time of the semester many college students do not make time to "stop and smell the flowers."

As I sit outside on my hammock writing this article during this beautiful Saturday I've started taking notice of what is going on around me. I see the white petals fall gracefully off of the trees behind Nix. I feel the wind blowing the petals across the road and onto my hammock. I hear the birds singing their songs to welcome spring. I watch the occasional couple jogging. I feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. I feel at peace even though I have a ton of stuff going on in my life.

This feeling of peace is nice. It makes me feel like even though I have a lot a lot to get done this weekend I can get it done.

If you were ask any kind of counselor what are some ways to stop stressing they would tell you things like eat better, exercise, get more sleep, do things that help you relax, spend time with people, go for a walk and much more. I am not a counselor but I can still tell you that these things work, Even if you just go for a thirty minute walk your body and brain will thank you. Being out in nature will help you to relax and will give you a nice and much needed change in scenery. Look around at nature instead of at your books. Your books will still be there after you get back. Bring a friend with you on the walk. Having someone to talk to will also help to take your mind off of everything that you have going on with school.

Spring is finally here so take some time to go outside and enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery.Your brain will thank you for taking the time to go outside and "smell the flowers."