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Skyline in Rocky Mountain National Park, July 2020
It’s hard to beat the satisfaction of traveling on foot - settling into a steady rhythm, surrounded by incredible scenery, with the freedom to go when and where you please. It’s an endlessly rewarding - and sustainable - activity, and one that deserves to be experienced and celebrated.
3 ways nature can improve your mental health
Boosts your mood
Studies show that within just the first five minutes of being outside, we experience a better mood.
Reduces stress
Spending twenty minutes in nature doing an activity, like hiking or walking, helps reduce stress.
Promotes better sleep
A quick walk outside is a great way to soak in extra Vitamin D from the sun, which improves your sleep at night.
Benefits of Adventures:
It leads to increased physical and psychological well-being.
It be therapeutic in coping with the suffering and strife of life.
It helps us confront and overcome fear and anxiety.
It provides a growing sense of self-reliance and confidence in our ability to adapt.
It allows us to connect with other people and share a sense of community within a common experience.
20 Benefits of Backpacking
Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Backpacking
It is widely known that hiking provides numerous physical and mental health benefits.
Spending time far away from civilization and hordes of people is a great way to unwind and unplug. Backpacking allows you time to relax and clear your mind, leaving behind everyday worries and stresses of your normal day-to-day life.
Backpacking is a great, natural way to help with a variety of mental health issues. Studies have shown that it helps in reducing anxiety and greatly improves the symptoms of depression. Needless to say, you can imagine how much good even an overnight backpacking trip can have on your state of mind! Spending extended periods in the great outdoors literally makes you happier.
Hiking also increases your sensory perception. Being away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life offers the chance to pay attention to things you might not normally. The birds chirping in the trees. The sound of the wind blowing across a field of dry grass. In other words, backpacking is a great way to remember to appreciate and enjoy the simple things in life, such as the changing leaves in autumn or the calming sound of a babbling brook.
It goes without saying that no matter how well a trip goes, there is always a sense of accomplishment after completing a trail, especially a challenging one you weren't sure you were capable of. Relying only on yourself (and perhaps a few close hiking buddies) miles out in the wilderness is a great confidence and self-esteem booster.
Backpacking and the benefits on your Mental Health
The physical benefits of a backpacking or hiking trip are hard to miss. It’s exhausting and incredible exercise to trudge uphill for a few miles.
Of course, we’re all familiar with the physical benefits of hiking, but we often overlook some of its mental help as well.
Most people like being outside in nature because it gives them a chance to stop and notice nature’s wonders. That excursion may leave you relaxed or joyful and studies can back up those feelings. Science has determined that hikers are generally happier and healthier than people who spend most of their time at home.
Backpacking in the outdoors not only helps with your self-esteem, but also helps lower stress and provide a feeling of overall wellness.
In fact, researchers have performed several tests on the impact of backpacking in nature (as opposed to backpacking in urban areas). From their studies, they found that nature hikes help you battle negative thoughts and feelings of low self-esteem.
Researchers also determined that backpacking has restorative powers to help reduce stress. Apparently, a backpacking trip through nature reserves, woodlands and urban parks has been scientifically proven to help you cope with life’s everyday challenges.
Other studies have also shown that even short hikes can improve your mental health. A hike that lasts over 90 minutes can lead to measurable changes to your brain, and may also help combat problems with depression.
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Much more coming soon!
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