Connecting to nature has proven health benefits like decreasing anxiety, improving concentration and overall brain function. Getting outside also helps improve physical health if a person is walking or being active.

During the pandemic, many of the national parks have been closed to the public. Because of this, park rangers have been attempting to keep people connected to the national parks via social media.

"We turned to technology and social media, the internet, to provide these virtual experiences to help keep that connection going through these times,” Park Ranger for Zion National Park Brian Whitehead said.

The parks have been posting virtual hikes, photos of favorite spots and sunrise videos at various popular locations to help give people a break from the stress of the pandemic.

Whitehead said, “As the rising sunlight hits those cliffs behind me, it can be a very emotional experience and we have people commenting from all over.” He noted people from all over the world have now seen parts of the parks that they might have otherwise never been exposed to.

National parks are slowly starting to reopen and state parks like Presque Isle have been open for the public to walk or drive through. Look to a park's social media for guidelines before visiting.