Under perfect atmospheric conditions, it’s possible to catch a green light at sunset. This phenomenon is known as “The Green Flash.”
After a full day of lectures and work shifts (and the unbearable decision of “What’s for dinner?”), it can feel like your brain has 37 tabs open on eight different browsers.
Your first instinct might be to crawl into bed and scroll until you sleep.
But, hear me out, what if the best way to unwind was to put your phone away and watch as the sky changes colours?
Sounds childish, but it isn’t.
There’s something almost magical about sunset walks. They don’t solve deadlines or magically finish your assignments, but somehow, by the time you get home, everything feels lighter.
Turns out, there’s actual science behind that feeling.
Your brain knows the day is over
Throughout the day, your body produces cortisol, often called the “stress hormone.” It’s what keeps you alert during morning classes and helps you tackle that never-ending to-do list. But after hours of rushing from class to work to studying, those stress levels can stay elevated longer than we’d like.
Going for an evening walk gives your body the signal that it’s finally okay to relax.
As you move, your brain releases the chemicals responsible for boosting your mood and reducing anxiety. At the same time, the softer evening light tells your internal clock that bedtime is approaching, helping your body naturally begin producing melatonin, the hormone that prepares you for sleep.
In short, pretty sky = happy mood. No complaints.
You have the best conversations with yourself
Student life is noisy. Constant pings for group projects, loud music in headphones and conversation bustling through the hallways. It can feel draining.
And it is even harder to find some time for yourself.
Part of the reason why students often feel overwhelmed and overworked is because they lack time with themselves.
A small five-minute walk with yourself will help you process your day without even realizing it. Maybe you will replay that presentation that went better than expected. Or you give yourself the time to process the stuttering that happened in front of the class. Or you simply feel the breeze for the first time all day.
Maybe social media was not wrong when they said #touchgrass.
Walking really does give your thoughts somewhere to go.
The sky is the mental health boost you need
Have you ever looked up at sunset and immediately stopped what you were doing?
That feeling has a name: awe.
Those moments of awe, such as watching the sky turn orange, purple and pink, standing beside the water and listening to the waves or just seeing nature in a new way, can improve your mood and even reduce factors associated with stress and depression.
It’s one of the few moments in the day when nothing is asking for your attention.
No emails.
No deadlines.
No discussion posts due at 11:59 p.m.
Just five or ten minutes of appreciating something bigger than yourself.
A healthier habit realistic to you
Not every student has time for an hour-long workout after classes.
A sunset walk doesn’t ask much of you.
Twenty minutes around your neighbourhood. A walk after dinner. Taking the longer route back from campus instead of the shortest one.
You still get the benefits of movement without worrying about gym schedules or intense workouts. Better yet, by walking after the sun is lower in the sky, you avoid the stronger UV exposure that comes with midday exercise (but never forget to pack sunscreen).
Try it around campus, check out places like:
- Humber Arboretum for long walks with beautiful trees surrounding the path.
- Various Lake Ontario spots for waterfront views and city skyline sunsets.
- Colonel Samuel Smith Park for broad walks.
- Take the subway to High Park and spend your evening with various wildlife animals for the perfect reset.
Bring headphones or leave them behind; the moment is all yours to enjoy.
Self-care can look different
Self-care is not always a relaxing spa or a day out with friends, sometimes it’s a long walk by the lake. What matters is that your mind needs a space to simply check in with yourself.
Rhea, a mental wellness app, is also designed to help you support your mental health journey. Featuring journal prompts, quick easy exercises and ways to stay active— Rhea is another tool to help you prioritize you.
So tonight, as the sun sets, try going for a walk and feeling the summer breeze. You might come back with a much calmer mind and maybe even some sunset photos.
Photo by Petr Vyšohlíd on Unsplash
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