I am on a mission to visit our national parks while I can still enjoy them. My husband and I just returned from a beautiful trip to Virginia, a place I used to visit often as a child. We also spent a little time on the Appalachian trail, and it was there that I started to think about a bear sighting. What would I do? It really helps to put life in perspective to get out and into the woods! I certainly forgot about any other problems I was having. Greatly relieved, we did not see a bear, though others did. But we did see a beautiful deer up close, a variety of plant life, and incredible vistas.
On our hike in the Shenandoah Mountains, somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew that I was inhaling the mycobacterium vaccae that triggers the release of serotonin in the brain; natures therapy. Serotonin is the body’s natural anti-depressant that keeps us happy and boosts our immune system. Just getting out for a hike in green spaces does wonders for our body, mind and spirit. The Japanese do something called, Forrest Bathing, that immerses them in the green woods to commune with nature. This helps to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve mental wellness. If you can’t get to a national park, find a state or even a local park. They will all do you good.
Top five reasons to go for a hike:
- Get perspective, it’s peaceful.
- Reduce stress, it’s fun!
- Enjoy nature, find inspiration.
- Hike for your heart health.
- Enjoy and share it with someone you care about.
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir
