--- title: "#OptOutside - It's Good for Your Health!" description: "Being in nature is good for your health. Join us to #optoutside and hike your pie off!" image: https://news.openspaceauthority.org/hubfs/RCAN%20-%20People%20-%20D.Mauk%20-%20May-9-2018%20-%204.jpg --- # #OptOutside - It's Good for Your Health! Back to Home ![RCAN - People - D.Mauk - May-9-2018 - 4](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/hubfs/RCAN%20-%20People%20-%20D.Mauk%20-%20May-9-2018%20-%204.jpg) A growing body of research finds that being outdoors, in open space, can have significant benefits to your physical and mental health. In the 1970’s, noted biologist E.O. Wilson shared the hypothesis that humans have an instinctual love of nature, an idea he called “biophilia.” In more recent decades, neuroscientists have started to find support for these theories in studies of the brain. The 2017 book by Florence Williams, “The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative,” documents recent research into nature’s impact on health. Spending just 15 minutes a day outside in a natural setting has been shown to lower levels of stress in the body, and those who spend at least 45 minutes in nature daily show documented improvements in cognitive abilities. Other studies have shown that communities with higher access to green space have lower rates of mental health issues, regardless of income. In fact, the health benefits of nature are a cornerstone of the Open Space Authority’s [work in our communities](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/community/healthy-community.html), from events and community outreach, to partnerships with other public agencies and organizations. #### Opportunities to Get Outside The opportunity to relax is maybe more precious in the fall, as the days get shorter and we approach the busy winter holidays. With the fall harvest, colorful leaves, and wildlife spotting opportunities, this is one of the best times of year to get outside!  ![Coyote Valley OSP - Arrowhead Loop Trail_D Neumann-6](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Coyote%20Valley%20OSP%20-%20Arrowhead%20Loop%20Trail_D%20Neumann-6.jpg?width=369&name=Coyote%20Valley%20OSP%20-%20Arrowhead%20Loop%20Trail_D%20Neumann-6.jpg)November 17 is **National Take a Hike Day** and we encourage you to get outside for a gentle, family-friendly hike through the oak woodlands at Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve. You can opt to hike just to the trail’s first overlook (2 miles round-trip) or join the team for the full Arrowhead Trail Loop (6 miles round-trip). To explore other Open Space Authority hiking trails, [click here](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves.html), and click here to explore the best paved trails in the [Santa Clara County](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/paved-trails). ![girl pumpkin pie](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/hs-fs/hubfs/events/girl%20pumpkin%20pie.jpg?width=252&name=girl%20pumpkin%20pie.jpg)Each year our partner REI advocates that people skip out on the crowds associated with the biggest shopping day of the year and **#OptOutside** on the day after Thanksgiving. The Authority joins in this celebration with **Hike Your Pie Off,** a series of guided hikes to help you get outside and hike off your holiday meal. Stay tuned for more details or find other events by signing up to receive our event calendar [here](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/visitors/events.html). And as winter approaches, so does raptor migration season, and we are expecting even more hawk activity out on the preserves. Break-in your bird-watching binoculars and hit the trail to identify some charismatic bird species soaring above the hills. To get started, read our birdwatching guide[here](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/a-birdwatchers-guide-to-coyote-valley).  November 06, 2018 ## Categories - [Coyote Valley](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/coyote-valley) - [Urban Open Spaces](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/urban-open-spaces) - [Wildlife](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/wildlife) - [Open Space Authority Initiatives](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/open-space-authority-initiatives) - [Events](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/events) - [Agriculture](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/agriculture) - [Green Infrastructure](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/green-infrastructure) - [Land Acquisitions](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/land-acquisitions) - [Urban Open Space Corner](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/urban-open-space-corner) - [Policy](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/policy) - [Environmental Justice](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/environmental-justice) - [Community Connections](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/community-connections) - [Restoration](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/restoration) - [Staff Spotlight](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/staff-spotlight) - [Fires](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/fires) - [30th Anniversary](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/30th-anniversary) - [Sustainable Agriculture](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/sustainable-agriculture) ## Recent Posts - [Celebrating Healthy Soils Week](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/healthysoils) - [Coyote Valley Photo Contest: Meet the People's Choice Winner!](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/openhouseandpeopleschoice) - [The Negative Impacts of Illegal Dumping](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/illegaldumping) - [A Silent Spring?](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/earth-day-2024) - [Staff Spotlight: Matt Freeman](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/matt-freeman) - [Another Win for Agriculture in Santa Clara County](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/yiu-ace-2024) - [Message from the General Manager](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/gm-update-2024) - [Wildlife Grammy Awards](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/wildlife-grammys) - [Honoring Dr. King's Environmental Legacy](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/dr-kings-environmental-legacy) - [Wildlife Thesaurus: Top 10 Native Animals with Nicknames](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/wildlife-thesaurus) *For media inquiries contact:* ![](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/hubfs/Blog_2017/interface/images/Charlotte-Graham.jpg) ## Charlotte Graham Public Information Officer [cgraham@openspaceauthority.org](mailto:cgraham@openspaceauthority.org) #### [Preserves](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves.html) [Coyote Valley](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/coyotevalley.html) [Coyote Ridge](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/coyoteridge.html) [Rancho Cañada del Oro](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/rancho.html) [Sierra Vista](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/sierra.html) [Trail Maps](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/open-space-preserve-trail-maps.html) [Conditions & Guidelines](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/conditions-guidelines.html) [Recreation](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/recreation.html) [Events](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/events.html) [Plants & Animals](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/plants-animals.html) #### [Our Work](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/our-work.html) [Planning Coyote Valley](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/our-work/planning-coyote-valley.html) [Our Projects](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/our-work/conservation-projects.html) [Agriculture](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/our-work/agriculture.html) [Land Protection](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/our-work/land-protection.html) [Land Stewardship](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/our-work/land-stewardship.html) #### [Programs](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs.html) [Investing in Nature](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs/investing-in-nature.html) [Understanding Our Community](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs/understanding-our-community.html) [Healthy Community](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs/healthy-community.html) [Urban Grant Programs](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs/urban-grant-programs.html) [Urban Success Stories](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs/urban-success-stories.html) [Environmental Education](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs/environmental-education.html) #### [Volunteers](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers.html) [Get Involved](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers/get-involved.html) [Individuals](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers/volunteer-opportunities-for-individuals.html) [Youth & Community Groups](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers/volunteer-opportunities-for-youth-community-groups.html) [Businesses](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers/volunteer-opportunities-for-businesses-team-building.html) [Acknowledgements](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers/acknowledgements.html) [Volunteer Login](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers/volunteer-portal.html) #### [Public Information](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information.html) [Board of Directors](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information/board-of-directors.html) [Committees](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information/committees.html) [Governance & Policies](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information/governance-policies.html) [Public Notices](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information/public-notices.html) [Public Meetings](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information/public-meetings.html) [Financials](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information/financials.html) [Year in Review](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information/year-in-review.html) [Document Library](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information/document-library.html) [Public Records Request](https://www.openspaceauthority.org//system/user_files/Documents/OSA%20Public%20Records%20Act%20Request%20Guidelines%20and%20Form.pdf) #### [About Us](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/about-us.html) [Goals](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/about-us/goals.html) [Partnerships](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/about-us/partnerships.html) [FAQ](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/about-us/faq.html) [History](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/about-us/history.html) [Awards & Distinctions](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/about-us/awards-distinctions.html) [Staff](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/about-us/staff.html) [Careers](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/about-us/careers.html) [Contact Us](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/about-us/contact-us.html) [![](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/themes/theme_openspace/assets/images/hubspot/hs_logo_white.png)](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/) Sign up for the e-newsletter Follow Us [![](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/themes/theme_openspace/assets/images/hubspot/hs_facebook2.png)](https://www.facebook.com/openspaceauthority) [![](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/themes/theme_openspace/assets/images/hubspot/hs_instagram.png)](https://www.instagram.com/open_space_authority) [![](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/themes/theme_openspace/assets/images/hubspot/hs_twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/OpenSpaceSCC) [![](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/themes/theme_openspace/assets/images/hubspot/hs_flickr.png)](https://www.flickr.com/photos/scvopenspaceauthority) [![](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/themes/theme_openspace/assets/images/hubspot/hs_youtube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-rSPy2X6LLMxkhmMVGMFpA) © 2021 All Rights Reserved. Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority [Terms of use](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/terms-of-use.html) [Privacy Policy](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/privacy-policy.html) [Web design by Intechnic](http://www.intechnic.com/)