Read on...
The Miracle
Cure: Hiking!
Are you looking for a miracle cure that will boost
your morale, increase your memory, lower stress, and make you more creative? Search no more: it has been found. It is
HIKING. Recent studies have found that the effects of hiking and nature on the
brain are phenomenal.
“One of the main reasons for this glut of research is
because we’re spending so much less time outdoors, overall. The average
American child now spends half as much time outside as compared to only 20
years ago. HALF. Only 6% of children will play outside on their own in a
typical week. Conversely, kids are now spending almost 8 hours per day watching
television, playing video games, or using a computer, tablet, or phone for
recreational purposes…Overall, Americans now spend 93% of their time inside a
building or vehicle.”(2)
So, in other words,
research has increased in the last few years, and it points to the one thing we
all know, but don’t want to admit. Screens are hurting our brains. Here is the
good news though. A walk in the park can restore you.
1) Nature really does clear your head.
"According to a study by the National Academy of
Sciences, a 90-minute walk through a natural environment had a huge positive
impact on participants. In a survey taken afterwards, those people who took the
natural walk showed far lower levels of brooding, or obsessive worry. Not only
that, but the scientists went a step further and did brain scans of the
subjects. They found that there was decreased blood flow to the subgenual
prefrontal cortex. What in the world does that mean? Well, increased blood flow
to this region of the brain is associated with bad moods. Everything from
feeling sad about something, to worrying, to major depression is tied
to this brain region." (2) Hiking deactivates it. “Being in Nature allows the
prefrontal cortex (the brain’s command center) to rest and recover, like an
overused muscle.” (Williams)
2) Unplugging makes you more creative.
“Psychologists Ruth Ann Atchley and David L. Strayer
found in their 2012 study that after a four-day-long hike in the wilderness,
with no access to technology, participants scored a whopping 50% higher on
a test known as RAT, or Remote Associates Test. This is a test that checks your
creativity and ability to come up with a fourth item associated with three
others. A series of three words are given, for instance, “same, tennis, and
head.” The test-taker has to find a fourth word that connects the first three.
In this case, the answer is “match.” A 50% increase is a huge leap up in
performance by research standards. Problem-solving skills like this are thought
to originate in the same area of the brain meaning our ability to think
creatively is being overwhelmed by the constant stimulus of digital, indoor
living.” And it can be boosted by a walk in the park.
3) Hiking boosts your focus.
“Anyone who has ADHD or has raised a child who has
been diagnosed with the disorder can tell you, it’s a daily struggle to
maintain grades, work performance, even relationships with friends and family.
Medication can help alleviate the symptoms, but it’s less than ideal for
solving the problem. Well, what about a good hike? A 2004 study came to the
pretty obvious conclusion that getting outdoors and doing something active can
reduce the symptoms of ADHD.” (2) More than that, it can do so for anyone,
regardless of age or health.
4) Charge your mind’s batteries with a hike.
“Hiking is a pretty solid aerobic exercise that burns
around 400-700 calories per hour. This is great on its own, but aerobic
exercise also has a really positive effect on your brain: it improves your
memory. It’s even being studied as a way to help seniors fight off dementia,
because it doesn’t just increase your ability to store information, it also
reduces memory loss.” Outdoor activity has also been shown to improve grades, so
why not try it? It has been shown to decrease Cortisol (Wiliams), that’s a good
thing as cortisol is the stress hormone.
5) Feel better about yourself.
“According to a 2010 report in the Journal of
Environmental Science and Technology, even getting out into nature for five
minutes at a stretch is enough to give your self-esteem a substantial upgrade.
Spending the entire day outdoors results in a second jump upwards! Walking near
water seemed to have the biggest effect, so when planning your next hike, be
sure to seek out a location with some great streams, rivers, or lakes.” (2) It’s worth a try. It lowers high blood
pressure, and gives you a sense of calmness that is difficult to explain away.
Is hiking the solution to all of life’s woes?
Probably not. But what science is showing is that it’s actually a pretty solid
candidate for making everyone’s lives a lot better, with very little input. If
you already hike, good for you! If you’d like to start, find yourself a sturdy,
comfortable pair of shoes or boots and Hiking is amazing, and will make
everyone’s lives a lot better. I mean, it’s free! Find yourself a pair of
comfortable shoes or boots, and head to a website like EveryTrail, which can help you find
your way to the nearest nature. Even in 1865, it was recognized as a scientific
fact that “Occasional contemplations of natural scenes of impressive character
is favorable to the health and vigor of men.” (Williams)
What have you got to lose? I know that as we enter winter season here in Minnesota, it is more difficult to get out. But it is truly worth it! Even for a short time... After all, like to northern German saying goes "There's no such thing as bad weather, only wrong clothing!"
(1) Florence Williams, The Nature Cure” National
Geographic, January, 2016
(2) Michael W.
Pirrone’s article called “What Hiking Does for the Brain is Pretty Amazing.” Wildlandstrust.org
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