The older I get the more I appreciate nature. I started hiking last year, mostly just hiking trails close to where I live, but they're challenging enough. I consider doing longer mountain hikes in the future, but I need to improve my fitness first. I'm depressed and have found that hiking has a positive effect on both my physical and mental health. I have gained a lot of kgs lately as I'm on anti-depressants, so I'm trying to lose weight too.
Love it, try to do it whenever I get the opportunity, usually when I go on holiday. I recall seeing some research that showed that being out in nature is good for depression and I can believe that, I find its good for me mentally as well as physically. I'm in a local gay hiking group, so I get to do at least half a dozen in a year unless they clash with my shiftwork or other commitments
by Anonymous | reply 1 | April 12, 2024 10:45 AM |
There are definitely many therapeutic benefits to hiking. Even what’s known as forest bathing which is just a walk out in nature. There is a lot of information about it.
I’ve been an avid hiker for several years and have joined several hiking groups. I love a challenging hike.
However, I discovered how much I simply love walking during the early days of the pandemic when we were on lockdown. Every day I would log off work at 5:30 and head out for a walk. I found all sorts of trails nearby that wouldn’t have been long enough for my hiking buddies but perfect for a solo hike with little risk of getting lost or injured and not being able to call for help. As weeks of lockdown turned into months, these trails were becoming increasingly crowded. I then started my walks after dark which I found even more exhilarating. Sometimes it was just around my neighborhood, or through town and through the park. But I also used a headlamp and went on the trails sometimes. I startled many foxes and heard all sorts of owls. I haven’t been night hiking in a long time but now that the weather is warming up maybe I will start again.
by Anonymous | reply 2 | April 13, 2024 4:13 PM |
I hiked today. Walked 7 km, which is about 4.3 miles. I'm so tired, but it was worth it. Lovely weather today too.
by Anonymous | reply 3 | May 2, 2024 8:08 PM |
No. Hiking is walking in the dirt.
I hate it.
by Anonymous | reply 4 | May 2, 2024 9:06 PM |
Good for you OP! - Hiking is wonderful for physical and mental health.
I used to hike quite a lot years ago, and I bitterly regret losing the habit. I’m also trying to get into it again, but I’m lamentably fat and unfit currently, so I am still at the “stagger to the next park bench” state of physical fitness, but I’m doing better than I was a month ago, and,for the first time in a long time I think I may be able to persevere long enough to see and feel a benefit.
by Anonymous | reply 5 | May 2, 2024 9:13 PM |
I love to sing “valereee, valeraaahhhh!” in the avalanche prone areas especially.
by Anonymous | reply 6 | May 2, 2024 9:39 PM |
Hiking, nature, and fresh air are amazing. And exercise makes the biggest dent in depression and anxiety—and believe me I’ve had several decades of experience with both.
by Anonymous | reply 7 | May 2, 2024 10:00 PM |
Definitely not.
by Anonymous | reply 9 | May 4, 2024 4:36 PM |
R9 Why not?
by Anonymous | reply 10 | May 4, 2024 4:40 PM |
Love it. Grew up spending my summers in the Adirondacks.
by Anonymous | reply 11 | May 4, 2024 5:01 PM |
R1 tell that to all the Japanese that go to that suicide forest.
by Anonymous | reply 12 | May 4, 2024 5:05 PM |
I’m lazy I guess r10. I can do an organized workout but hiking was never something I enjoyed.
by Anonymous | reply 13 | May 4, 2024 7:27 PM |
Climbed all of the four thousand footers in the Whites. Hiked Mt Washington on every trail that exists that reaches the summit. I'm old and and can't do that stuff anymore but I had many, many years of fun.
by Anonymous | reply 14 | May 4, 2024 7:46 PM |