Nature Walks and Hiking Promote Recovery

Fitness icon

Improve your well-being and recovery journey with nature walks and hiking

Getting out and taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of your environment can improve your life

There are many components to a successful recovery: keeping mentor and coaching commitments, eating better, finding new hobbies to replace unhealthy behavior, etc. Have you ever thought about the benefits of being out in nature and doing things like walking the beach or hiking trails? You might be surprised at how much doing something so simple can help you and your overall well-being.

Nature therapy is becoming a more and more popular recommendation from health professionals. The National Institute on Health defines nature therapy as “a set of practices aimed at achieving preventive medical effects through exposure to natural stimuli.” Being out in nature can increase happiness and positivity, decreasing stress and anxiety along with it. Above all else, it can give you a sense of purpose and meaning in life

Published

06/01/2022

Category

Fitness

#1

Financial Benefits

Hiking and walking outside offer extra perks to traditional exercising.

Hiking and walking outside offer extra perks to traditional exercising. First of all, it is free. Not all of us have the capability or the resources to use or pay for a gym membership. Taking advantage of the beauty and benefits of the great outdoors is an excellent way to begin or maintain your journey of recovery.

Just being out in your environment not only allows you to get the scenic views of nature. You get to breathe in the fresh air while feeling the warmth of the sun shining down on you. Not only that, it does so much for us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Just being outdoors alone can be a way to destress, as it promotes relaxation and healing. No amount of money can buy that.

#2

Physical Benefits

Being consistent with regular exercise has a significant impact on your health.

Studies done by the American Heart Association found that individuals who exercise reduce their risk for heart issues. These individuals were found to be half as likely to develop coronary heart disease.

Over time, hiking helps decrease the “bad” cholesterol levels in our body and improves glucose tolerance. The negative effects of things like arthritis and osteoporosis can be reduced or even reversed by simply walking or hiking. Something so minimal like walking can improve your posture, sense of balance, an strengthens your bones and muscles.

#3

Emotional & Mental Benefits

Hiking and walking outside offer extra perks to traditional exercising.

Just think about the differences between being in a room full of people versus being outside in nature. Hiking organically boosts your endorphin levels. Endorphins are responsible for your sense of happiness and the euphoric feelings you experience. This also plays a role in reducing the amount of anxiety and stress that comes at you. We all know how debilitating those two things can be on both our mind and body at times.

Self-esteem and confidence levels tend to rise while outdoors. This is due to an overall sense of feeling healthy while you’re out. There is also a lower risk of depression. Studies have shown that going for a short nature walk each day lowers activity in the part of the brain that’s associated with depression. Hiking or walking on scenic trails also opens up our senses, bringing awareness to our surroundings and improving perception.

#4

Relational Benefits

This is an activity that you can do alone or with another person.

If you’re trying to practice mindfulness, going by yourself might be a good idea. Taking in the beauty of nature is a great way to become present in the moment and put aside stressful things. If you don’t want to go alone, take a friend or partner with you while you go hiking. It can then serve as a positive experience for the relationship between you and them.

As much as social media connects us to each other, it also disconnects us from a lot of things. Taking some time away from social media and technology is something that we all should do more often. By leaving your phone behind, you’ll experience more of an understanding of yourself or the person you go with. Don’t worry about taking pictures, either. It’s for you to experience firsthand, not for someone else to experience.

Conclusion

Key takeaways

  • Hiking is free. No need for a gym membership to reap the benefits
  • Those who are active daily are half as likely to develop heart issues
  • Hiking improves your cholesterol and glucose levels, as well as your bones, joints, and muscles
  • Walking outdoors decreases things like stress, anxiety, and depression
  • It also increases your endorphin levels, which are you feel-good feelings
  • Nature walks are a good way to practice mindfulness by yourself or spend time with a friend

Challenge

Apply to your life

Make a plan to spend a small amount of time walking or hiking. Be as consistent as possible. Consistency is key when it comes to trying new things. Once you do it a few times it’ll become less of a challenge. You’ll get to enjoy the scenic outdoors while being active and healthy.

Conclusion

Key takeaways

  • Hiking is free. No need for a gym membership to reap the benefits
  • Those who are active daily are half as likely to develop heart issues
  • Hiking improves your cholesterol and glucose levels, as well as your bones, joints, and muscles
  • Walking outdoors decreases things like stress, anxiety, and depression
  • It also increases your endorphin levels, which are you feel-good feelings
  • Nature walks are a good way to practice mindfulness by yourself or spend time with a friend

Challenge

Apply to your life

Make a plan to spend a small amount of time walking or hiking. Be as consistent as possible. Consistency is key when it comes to trying new things. Once you do it a few times it’ll become less of a challenge. You’ll get to enjoy the scenic outdoors while being active and healthy.

A Recovery Community Center in Chesterton, Indiana.

This location is also the studio and homebase for content creation on Artistic Recovery. The team of professionals at Three20 conceive, draft, and edit many of the articles you find here. These recovery resources are a collaboration between certified recovery coaches, creative writers, fitness trainers, artists, musicians, and chefs. Most importantly, our content is written for people in recovery, by people in recovery.

Lindsay Violanti

Lindsay works as a Certified Addiction and Peer Recovery Coach (CAPRC-II) at Three20 Recovery. She is in long term recovery, and in April 2022, Lindsay received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology in Addictions from Purdue University Global. She has lived personal experience relating to both addiction and mental health. Lindsay is passionate about this type of work and is excited to continue her education.

Credit where credit is due

Portions of this article were originally sourced from The National Institute on Health, lifehack.com and bicycling.com. If you would like to check out additional recovery podcasts, videos and articles, check us out at artisticrecovery.org

Subscribe

Recovery resources anytime, anywhere.

Subscribe

Recovery resources anytime, anywhere.

Check out some related episodes

Want to read more?

Head back to our library.

Just being out in your environment not only allows you to get the scenic views of nature. You get to breathe in the fresh air while feeling the warmth of the sun shining down on you. Not only that, it does so much for us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. No amount of money can buy that.

Interested in Recovery Coaching?

Sessions are available via Zoom and are always free of charge.

LET’S TALK