4 Reasons You Should Put Down Your Phone & Go Hiking Right Now
I recently moved from the Southeastern United States to the Pacific Northwest and I have become a hiking addict. I was born in the 80’s and grew up before technology skyrocketed. I played outside, I participated in at least six sports. I was creative, adventurous, and imaginative. I didn’t have a cell phone until I was in high school and all I could do on it was make calls and play Snake. Technology made dramatic strides between the time I was in high school and the time I graduated college. While my smartphone has tried to pull me away from my roots of adventure, imagination and creativity, being outdoors and hiking has drawn me back in to those ideals I hold so precious. I was introduced to the Pacific Northwest for the first time in college when a friend suggested that I go work at an outdoor adventure summer camp with him and some other friends. I really wanted to be one of those cool, spontaneous people that goes adventuring on a whim, but the reality was that I had never hiked, camped, slept outside, or done anything remotely outdoorsy in nature beyond my neighborhood. But I did it. I went to a local outdoors store, spent entirely too much money on all brand new outdoor gear, and took the leap. This article is about how taking that leap changed my whole world. It is about the value of getting outside, particularly in our new age of technology take-over. It is about how hiking, and the outdoors, has changed me as a person and how it can change you, too. Getting out in nature can improve your spiritual health, mental health, physical health, and it is tons of fun! Here are the 4 reasons you should get out and hike on a regular basis:
- To Disconnect.
We live in a society that demands all of us. We wear “busy” as a badge of honor. Whether it is our job, our bills, our children, our friendships, our marriages, our social obligations, our family responsibilities, our technology…our days get loud and overwhelming. We rush from one place to another, chronically stressed and overworked. The very thought of taking time to relax and unwind can seem impossible. According to research, the average office worker sends and receives approximately 121 emails per day, young adults send and receive approximately 75 text messages per day and people spend, on average, 2.5–3 hours per day on social media. Research has associated excessive screen time with obesity, lack of physical exercise, increased psychological and mental health disorders, lowered emotional stability, lack of self-control, decreased curiosity and creativity, socialization & relationship challenges, trouble focusing, decreased sleep quality and lower self-esteem. Technology has many benefits and has made its positive impact on society, but it is draining us at the same time. We need to re-fuel ourselves and fight the urge to be “too busy.” We need to prioritize our mental & physical health. Getting outside to hike is a great way to disconnect from the stress & busyness of everyday life. Put your phone on airplane mode and disconnect from the world for a bit.
I have found that escaping the hustle and bustle is not only something I enjoy, but it is critical to my sanity & well-being. I believe we were meant to be in nature, not glued to devices or obsessing over work. Just stepping into the woods, I can feel peace of mind rushing over me like the wild river I hear in the background.
2. To Connect.
As many people as I talk to, text & email in a day, I go home most evenings without a sense of connection to anyone or anything. I feel drained, overworked, like I’ve given everything of myself to everyone and have nothing left. Going outside pieces me back together. Nature allows us to connect…with God, with the Universe, with ourselves. No matter what beliefs you ascribe to, nature is a spiritual experience. Hiking puts our lives into perspective and helps us recognize how small we are in this vast world. It can help minimize our problems and stresses and allows us to see the beauty that surrounds us. According to a study, people who spend at least two hours per week in nature report better health and psychological well-being than those who do not. These studies have shown that “time in nature…is an antidote for stress: it can lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, reduce nervous system arousal, enhance immune system function, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety and improve mood.” Take a moment and close your eyes and imagine some sounds and smells that you might experience in the great outdoors. Can you imagine the smell of fresh, sweet pine needles? What about the smell of dirt after a hard rain? Can you smell wildflowers blooming? What about the sound of a rushing river? Can you hear rocks being skipped across a lake? Can you hear meadowlarks singing in the trees? If you didn’t close your eyes yet, try it! I’m willing to bet that just envisioning those sounds and smells has already reduced your stress and anxiety levels ever so slightly and has given you some feelings of peace and tranquility. Hiking allows you to experience sights, smells and sounds that create peace and reduce stress by connecting you with the earth.
3. To Bond.
Some of my absolute best memories in my life have involved tackling a challenge with someone else. One of my few memories of high school involved my ex-boyfriend & I skipping school for Senior Skip Day and going on a huge 4-wheeling (or “quad” for you PNWers) adventure. Our 4-wheeler broke down in the middle of absolute nowhere and we had to navigate our trail on foot all the way back home, racing daylight and other weird obstacles along the way. We were stressed & concerned, but tackling this wild adventure together & by the time we finally made it back to familiar territory, we laughed, hugged, high-fived and probably cried a little. Since moving to the Pacific Northwest, I have gone on a lot of hiking “first dates” with new friends, and tackling a challenge together has allowed us to connect on a deeper level than any coffee date I’ve ever attended.
Moved to a new city and looking to connect with new friends? Want to take someone on a unique date that is outside the “dinner and a movie” box? Hiking is an amazing way to bond and connect with others, whether it is a friend or a romantic partner. Not only is hiking enjoyable, it can be challenging and adventurous and studies have shown that hiking releases the same chemicals as those released when you fall in love: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. For those who are up for more challenging adventures, one study shows that “moments of anxiety and adrenaline rushes can actually lead to sexual attraction.”
4. To Challenge.
You’re capable of so much more than you know. Doing something challenging and out of your comfort zone at least once a year will remind you that you can do hard things. A year ago I went backpacking for the first time. In typical fashion for me, I dove into the deep end, agreeing to join a friend on a 42 mile backpacking trip with over 10,000 feet of elevation gain. I stressed out about it for months leading up — feeling certain I was going to fail or quit. But guess what? I didn’t quit. I didn’t fail. I did four days of backpacking and at the end of each day I thought “there is no way I will be able to walk again tomorrow…” But I woke up, packed up camp, and started walking, and my body adjusted. I was really proud of myself and my body and vowed to jump out of my comfort zone more often. Do something that pushes your limits (within reason — see my note below about hiking safe). That will look different for everyone — for some it might be trying a hike for the first time; for others it might be hopping in the car bright and early to do a hike they have never done before a little further away; and for others it might be stretching your limits with elevation gain, distance or even overnight adventures.
Two More Tips I’ll leave you with:
Tip One: Hike Safe.
- Know your physical limitations — if you have physical limitations, consult your physician before you hike or backpack.
- Train — if you feel uncertain about your physical abilities, hike with someone more experienced, start with a short hike with minimal elevation gain, and stay close to where you are comfortable to begin.
- Make a safety plan — no matter how experienced or comfortable you are, always always always let someone know exactly where you are going, when you plan to return, and make sure they have a plan to contact authorities if you do not return as planned.
- Carry the “10 Essentials” even on day hikes — anything can happen and it’s best to be prepared for any circumstance.
Tip Two: Don’t do it for the ‘gram.
Of course, take photos and share them. Encourage your friends to get outdoors and hike. But, be careful not to fall into the trap of focusing on getting the perfect shot for social media and in turn, miss out on the experience itself. Rather, soak in the moments, breathe in the air, take in the views, close your eyes, breathe deeply, pray, meditate, sit, skip rocks. Let the mist from the waterfall hit you in the face. Cry, laugh, scream into the abyss, hug a tree. Don’t just focus on taking the perfect photo and miss the moment that makes the hike worth every mile. You’re in nature and you’re one with the earth. Embrace all the feels.
