Get Outside
Getting outdoors in nature can be good for people’s health and well-being. In the article, Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health by Jim Robbins (2020), it explores this field of research, how it is growing and studies are now plentiful. As cited in the article, Richard Louv, a journalist in San Diego whose book, Last Child in the Woods, is largely credited with triggering this movement and who coined the term Nature Deficit Disorder explains that these studies “point in one direction: Nature is not only nice to have, but it’s a have-to-have for physical health and cognitive function.”
Being a track athlete in college, I was always spending time outside training. During this time, I thought my health benefits were coming from the training alone. After my track career came to an end, I continued to work out, but something was missing… I soon realized that I was missing the time spent outside. I quickly adjusted my schedule to include more time outside and the peace and calming effect I used to feel came back almost instantly. The simplicity of taking in nature has been the driving force of this my lifestyle. I have decided that I want to help preserve nature for the future generations to come.
Everything we rely on in our lives comes from this dynamic planet and working to make our daily habits more sustainable will in turn support it.
One of my favorite activities to do is going on a walk or hike – It can be as simple as taking a morning stroll around the local park or as adventurous as summiting a mountain over the course of a day in Colorado. My husband and I often take our dogs along, call up our friends, siblings, parents or just go at it alone. I have found that I can enjoy a walk alone a or bring other and make it an adventure, either way I love it.
According to Gregory Miller, Ph.D., President of American Hiking Society, “Hiking doesn’t necessarily mean trekking up a mountain or going deep into the backcountry; it can be any recreational walking in a natural environment.”
As already touched on, spending time out in and around nature has many perks. It is affordable and many times free to do. It can also be done alone, with a partner or even a group or family. During this global pandemic, it’s also a relatively safe activity that allows you to get out of the house or from behind the computer screen. Taking in the nice views, fresh air, and the sounds and smells of nature. Hiking really engages your mind and awakens your curiosity about the things you find along the way. The main draw to me is the instant sense of relaxation I get during and after a hike. It is amazing how therapeutic a short morning walk can be; it sets the rest of my day up for success.
Things to Consider & Items to Pack on a Hike
Before you head out for your next hike, here a few pointers
- Check the Weather – This the number one factor that will dictate your adventure and what you may want to bring along. Once you know what to expect from Mother Nature, you can begin gathering items for your hike.
- Consider time and length of your adventure – Are you planning to hike for ten minutes and head home to work the rest of the day? Or are you headed out to summit that mountain over the course of several hours? Knowing these factors along with the total distance of your hike will determine whether you will need to bring food or not, extra clothes or a change of socks.Either way, I recommend you bring some water. During a whole day trip, a lunch will be necessary to refuel your body but may not be necessary for a couple hour trip. If I am hiking less than an hour, I will only bring water. Anything much more than that and I would pack a lunch or at least some snacks for the journey.
- Travel Light – After all, walking and climbing for extended periods of time is already tiring enough. What seems light when you first head out, will quickly become much heavier a few miles in.
Go-to Hiking Essentials
- Raincoat or extra top layer in case the weather takes a turn
- Bug spray and sunscreen
- Binoculars, with the hope of spotting something cool
- Lunch or snacks
- Water bottle – I clip my water to the backpack
- Wear a hat or beanie depending on the weather
- Comfortable, appropriate footwear depending on the terrain I’ll be covering
- Charged phone with emergency contact information loaded
- Trail maps
My awesome husband is a teacher and created this video for his students, greats tips here!
Each hiker will be different and have their own unique needs. Over time, you will find your groove! If you are new to hiking and are unsure, start off with shorter, easier hikes to figure all of that out. You’ll be enjoying the wonderful offerings of our planet in no time!
References:
American Hiking Society (2018, August 9). Get healthy – take an urban hike. https://americanhiking.org/press-release/get-healthy-take-urban-hike/.
Robbins, J. (2020, January 9). Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health. Yale E360. https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-health.