Monterey County and the surrounding areas—Big Sur, Santa Cruz and San Francisco—boast some of the most tranquil outdoors along the California Coast. Spending time in these places with the people you love can be amazing. A 2016 study published by the Journal of Environmental Psychology, titled “Let’s go outside! Environmental restoration amongst adolescents and the impact of friends and phones” highlighted findings that people recover more quickly from stress and mental fatigue in an outdoor, natural setting, rather than an indoor one. Being with a friend improves restorative experiences outdoors for teenagers. With the last month of school approaching, take some time off to relieve stress and go outside with the people you care about. It can greatly improve a stressed mental state, and can clear your mind. Time outside with those you hold dear is time well spent.
