With so many forms of entertainment available, why not choose hiking?
When they think of hiking, some people have bad recollections of stale granola bars, old hiking boots, sweaty bucket hats, and performing first aid. Others recall some of their most exhilarating and happy memories. Whether you sit on the fence or find yourself on either side of it, here is our plug for why you should go for a hike:
1. Emotional Therapy
Spending time in nature improves mood, reduces stress (1), and boosts the immune system (2). The scientific research on Nature Therapy is still developing, but it is likely that more benefits of spending time outdoors will soon be discovered.
2. Creativity
You may have written a poem, solved a problem, or had a good idea while hiking before, but studies now show that being in nature boosts human creativity even after the fact (3).
3. Spirituality
Being in nature is a great location for reflection, prayer, and quiet worship. In Biblical times, mountains were holy places where prophets had spiritual experiences and received revelation (see Exodus 19:20, Matthew 17:1-2, 1 Nephi 18:3 and others). In the mountains, you will be taking a break from technology and other distractions, giving you a chance to replace internet connection with a much better type of connection.
4. Fun Exercise Challenge
Hiking furnishes a hidden opportunity to exercise that is cleverly disguised as fun! Brisk walking is already a good way to improve cardiovascular fitness, but adding the element of hill climbing will get your heart pumping in no time at all. Other parts of your body benefit, too: hiking improves balance, agility, and even core strength (4). Climbing a mountain is so engrained in our culture as a challenging feat requiring determination and persistence that we use it as a metaphor for life. While some obstacles can take years to overcome, anyone can feel immediate satisfaction after making it to the top of a mountain they have worked hard to summit.
Utah national parks like Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Arches are famous for their beautiful trails. But great hiking opportunities are located even closer to those living in Utah Valley. Check out good trails nearby with AllTrails, or read our article about local hiking trails.
Links and Resources
1. https://thriveglobal.com/stories/nature-spending-time-outside-benefits-few-minutes/
2. https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-does-nature-impact-our-wellbeing
3. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/five_ways_hiking_is_good_for_you
4. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/health-benefits-of-hiking-raise-your-heart-rate-and-your-mood-2016092810414