Audrey Ishiyama: The Importance of Wellness

Before going on any hike, I always felt a feeling of dread, with thoughts of how my legs would be sore and how I would be out of breath during the climb. This is the same way I felt before the creek hike. To push myself and try to gain the best experience possible, however, I chose to join the fast group, which would be hiking longer and faster. After the first step into the cold creek, I did not think I would survive the entire hike. But after a while, walking with friends and enjoying nature, I felt an increase in energy and found myself going ahead of the group, excited to experience more. Finding a pool of water to plunge into is a memory that will definitely last me a lifetime. During the final leg of the hike, the group I was with accidentally got lost and climbed up an extremely steep hill, losing the path back to the trail. Climbing the hill was intense, testing my physical wellness. Eventually, we got back safely, with an interesting story to tell. Despite the initial fear, I found that pushing myself to enjoy the hike had a strong benefit to both my physical and mental health, and I would recommend this experience to everyone. (I would also recommend wearing Crocs for this hike. They did not slip once!)

After this initial accomplishment at the creek hike, I felt motivated to continue trying my best in the coming activities. After camping for the first time in my life in Niseko and a long cold night of rain, I pushed myself to the limit on the Shinsen Numa hike. Though tired and sore during the hike, the breathtaking views made it worthwhile. Breathing in the fresh air, seeing the views, and the physical activity all contributed to an increase in my wellness. Keeping track of how many times Emilio bumped his head on a tree was also entertaining (7+). Despite ending the hike with blisters, I recovered with the help of Mr. P's Happy Meal. I felt a strong sense of accomplishment and an improvement in my mental wellness, completing the hike and experiencing beautiful nature.

From these experiences, I have learned that in order to improve your wellness, you sometimes have to push yourself out of your comfort zone, strengthening both your mental and physical health. Though it may feel difficult at first, the feeling of achievement after pushing yourself is rewarding. The abilities I have learned and skills I have gained from the Green Season of the Green and White Plan can be applied to so many other areas of my life, including academics, sports, and relationships, having life-long impacts. I now understand how outdoor activities contribute strongly to improving wellness, and it will remain a large part of my life. With the outdoors being one of HIS' pillars, these experiences should be taken advantage of by all students, as it is a truly unique opportunity to have fun and grow.