All it took was a walk in the woods to get back to feeling good-natured and more motivated in my daily life. I wanted to share my own personal experiences within Northern Ontario and encourage you to explore what’s outside your front door as well. Maybe this means you will plan a trip to the region in the future or you have been inspired to adventure around your own home. Either way, I hope this article helps you to reconnect with the great outdoors and get back to feeling good-natured.
Over the past few months, like many I assume, I have accessed many great resources on how to cope with social distancing, strict quarantines, and working from home. However, as the weeks turned into months, I still managed to catch a strain of “Cabin Fever.” With your home space becoming your workspace it can be hard to detach and if you are a victim to bad weather it can make you feel more feverish. As someone with an adventurous spirit, I needed something to help me feel free and excited again. Normally travel would be the remedy to this but as we all know that was not an option.
I took a walk in the woods and came out feeling taller than the trees ~ Henry David Thoreau
Born and raised in a northern part of Ontario where we are surrounded by magnificent landscapes, I have always loved being outside, hiking, and camping. With luscious forests, stunning waterfalls, and vast amounts of trails and lakes surrounding us these activities feel more like a typical norm throughout my daily life. It wasn’t until the lingered winter weather and current circumstances of the world led me to realize I had taken where I live for granted. I had believed travel was the ultimate cure for this feeling when in reality what was right outside my front door could give me the same excitement and mental clarity I was looking for.
You may not even realize you need a breath of fresh air until your outside taking one
It began with a sunrise hike and as the sun slowly appeared so did feelings of happiness and motivation. My friend had suggested a distanced hike, to go to a favorite local spot to catch the sunrise. It was a short 15-minute hike to a lookout facing the entire community, Lake Superior, and beyond that the sun. We began the trek at 6 am and with our coffees in hand enjoyed watching the sun brighten our small little town and our day. We watched, chatted, and even danced a little. It was the perfect morning which only led to a perfect day.
After that, it was a domino effect and I found myself on a re-exploration of home
If you have never experienced Northern Ontario I hope this list makes you reconsider places you would like to visit in the future. I also wish it inspires you to re-explore your own backyard. We have been practicing social distancing but Mother Nature is something we can still connect to. I promise feeling good-natured will only benefit you.
The Sea Lion – Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Wolf River Falls – Dorion, Ontario
Gorge Creek Falls – Orient Bay, Ontario
The Pinnacles – Dorion, Ontario
The Bald Spot – Nipigon, Ontario
Mazukama Falls – Nipigon, Ontario
Kama Kliffs – Nipigon, Ontario
Ruby Lake – Ruby Lake Provincial Park
Bass Creek – Nipigon, Ontario
The Jumbo Cove – Orient Bay, Ontario
I made sure to experience familiar places like I never had before. This allowed me to tap into my adventurous side and bring me back to a healthy mindset.
I hope that you too allow the outdoors to encompass you and let it bring you joy and happiness. I hope you too feel good-natured and are more motivated or inspired to take on your current goals. If you have mastered getting your necessary fresh air and are looking for other helpful wellness tips please check out our other articles.
