Cover Image by Cindy Rivas Alfaro
As of spring 2025, the University of Houston has been undergoing vast construction across some of the most popular places on campus. From removing the Cullen Fountain to blocking the road between the Student Center and Lynn Eusan Park, walk times have increased on campus.
While this is a nuisance to some, it actually has some benefits, so take your time and enjoy the walks across campus.
The walks are perfect for getting your steps in.
In Houston, it can be hard to get out and walk, but on campus, you have plenty of opportunity to do so. Take the time to appreciate your strength and health.
Take the long routes to and from lecture halls. Use it as an opportunity to get more steps in your day. If you have a fitness tracker, this can also help you reach your movement goals.
The downtime is great for decompressing.
If you are someone who powers through classes back-to-back, walking across campus is the time to clear your mind. It’s kind of like meditating while going to your next class.
If your last class didn’t go too well, take the time between classes to decompress and encourage yourself for the next one.
Bad days happen for everyone. Just take deep breaths along your walk and remember to be kind to yourself.
You have new media to keep you company on your walks.
If you’re someone who gets bored easily, try a new playlist or audiobook. You’ll be surprised how much you can read by listening to audiobooks on your walks. If you’re into podcasts, it’s a great time to catch up on any old podcasts or to explore new ones.
You can even find new albums by your favorite artists that you have yet to listen to. As long as you own headphones and a phone, you can boost your walk experience by immersing yourself in whatever you’re listening to. You might even end up loving a new genre of music or learning something new.
You can get your daily dose of vitamin D along the way.
There are proven health benefits to being outside and absorbing sunlight.
According to Healthline, appropriate exposure to sunlight can help prevent negative skin conditions and strengthen your bones.
Not only is it better for your physical health but also for your mental health as it can boost your mood.
Sunlight plays a role in producing serotonin, a hormone which is associated with seasonal depression in darker seasons like winter. It may seem unbearable these days, but the sun won’t be here for much longer with winter around the corner so enjoy it now.
Despite how long, hot and boring your walks to and from class may seem, they don’t have to be—especially if you romanticize them. It’s all about perspective.
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