Hiking To Clear the Mind

Source: bioluxmedical

Malaysia has no shortage of jungles to conquer and trails to blaze for those seeking adventure.

Hiking is not just adrenaline and thrills for the daring few, and it is not just for good exercise. It can be downright relaxing, and a great way to get some peace and serenity, and it could very well be your next favorite pastime if you were of the mind that hiking would be a death sentence with all the danger that it entails.

Naturally, like most activities, there will be dangers associated with hiking hence the hesitation from some, but if you really want an outlet to release yourself and clear your mind, getting into hiking could be your golden ticket.

Here are a few reasons why hiking is great for you according to articles written by Jill Suttie from Greater Good Magazine.

“Hiking keeps your mind sharper more so than many other forms of exercise.”

All exercise is good for us, but hiking involves something most forms of exercise do not and that is trails.

This means that it requires one to navigate through unpredictable terrain like slippery dirt, dense foliage and wild animals and creatures crossing your path. All foreign to our usual world of domesticity.

All of this is not only good for your heart, but also good for your brain, as Daniel Levitin explains in his book, Successful Aging. Hiking works the part of your brain that helps you navigate in life, which in turn aids one’s memory.

“Hiking helps to keep you calm and happy.”

Another notable addition is that hiking takes place outdoors in a more natural setting compared to most exercises.

According to research by frontiers in Psychology, it shows that walking in green spaces in nature can help us recover from “attention overload”. The mental fatigue that comes from the hustle and bustle of the world we live in is filled with technology and a never ending struggle for purpose.

Being in nature is also calming, as studies on ScienceDirect shows that people who spend time walking in nature suffer from less anxiety and rumination, which should also help shield oneself from depression.

“Hiking can help to increase your creativity.”

We have often read about great philosophers, poets and artists who have found creative muses and inspiration in natural spaces. Science is just the beginning to connect the correlation between nature and creativity.

David Strayer and his colleagues tested several young adults in a program before and after they spent three days hiking in the wilderness. The results showed the participants having increased creative thinking and problem-solving after their experiences in nature.

Some scholars believe that these creative benefits stem from natural settings allowing our attention to soften and our minds to wander which in turn helps us connect disparate ideas that are orbiting our minds.

Source: Trip Advisor

Those are just some of the many benefits that come with hiking.

Lastly, it is simply nice to be closer to nature, and away from the noise of the world.

The next chance you get, hit the old dusty trail, find some paths to blaze, maybe with some friends and family, and start your hiking adventure today.