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Go Take a Hike! It's Healthy for Your Body and Your Brain.
 Photo Courtesy of The Columbian, 2009
 
In the Pacific Northwest, the spring hiking season is about to get underway. April's rainy weather makes our local trails muddy and slippery, therefore, we are still a few weeks out.  May will bring an influx of adventurous people in boots and backpacks, ready to exercise their bodies and quiet their minds. 
We both enjoyed reading a recent article regarding the benefits of hiking. The part we especially found interesting is how it impacts our brain. A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, finds that spending time in nature significantly decreases negative thought processes. Especially, the type of obsessive rumination that can be difficult to break. 
 
In addition, the participants in the study were unplugged as they backpacked through nature. No technology whatsoever! We're not surprised to learn a nice long hike, without a cell phone, can reduce mental fatigue, soothe our mind, and increase creative thinking. And, once you invest in suitable shoes and a day pack for emergency provisions, it's free, except for perhaps a parking pass at a trailhead. 
 
Hiking also burns calories (400-700 an hour)  and builds muscles and bone density. Your body and mind get in shape as nature works its quiet magic. While we agree with the ... more

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