{"id":8915,"date":"2023-11-18T22:19:47","date_gmt":"2023-11-18T15:19:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=8915"},"modified":"2023-11-18T22:19:47","modified_gmt":"2023-11-18T15:19:47","slug":"the-body-and-mind-benefits-outpace-walking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=8915","title":{"rendered":"The Body and Mind Benefits Outpace Walking"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">W<\/span>hen I moved to Denver in July, I was so eager to hit the trails that I couldn\u2019t wait for the weekends. As soon as the clock struck 5 p.m. on a workday, I\u2019d slam my laptop shut, throw on my backpack, and head for the hills\u2014literally.<\/p>\n<p>Back when I lived in Florida, I was content to spend my evenings wandering the nearby shopping center with my dog to unwind. No more. Now that I know the bliss of a post-work hike in the Flatirons, my simple strolls around the neighborhood feel a little stale. And I\u2019m not the only one trading in my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/tiktok-treadmill-struts\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/tiktok-treadmill-struts\/\">treadmill struts<\/a> for switchbacks. Katie Gassman has more than 32,000 followers on her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@hotgirlhikes?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@hotgirlhikes?lang=en\">@hotgirlhikes<\/a> TikTok account devoted to touting the good news about getting outdoors; she also organizes group hot girl hikes for those in search of gal pals to adventure alongside.<\/p>\n<div class=\"\">\n<hr\/>\n<div class=\"experts-in-article noskim py-[24px] px-[40px]\">\n<p>Experts In This Article<\/p>\n<ul class=\"!ml-[18px]\">\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healingrelationshipspa.com\/doctor\/alyson\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.healingrelationshipspa.com\/doctor\/alyson\/\">Alyson Nerenberg, PsyD, CSAT-S<\/a>, licensed clinical psychologist and author of <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FNo-Perfect-Love-Shattering-Relationships%2Fdp%2FB0B5VXTFX3%3Ftag%3Dwgtrx9917-20%26asc_refurl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.wellandgood.com%252Fhot-girl-hikes%252F%26asc_source%3Ddirect%26asc_campaign%3Dno-campaign&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fhot-girl-hikes%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/No-Perfect-Love-Shattering-Relationships\/dp\/B0B5VXTFX3\" data-type=\"affiliateLink\" data-aff-intermediate=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/No-Perfect-Love-Shattering-Relationships\/dp\/B0B5VXTFX3?tag=wgtrx9917-20&amp;asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fhot-girl-hikes%2F&amp;asc_source=direct&amp;asc_campaign=no-campaign\"><em>No Perfect Love<\/em><\/a> <\/li>\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/authors\/edward-phillips-md\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/authors\/edward-phillips-md\">Edward Phillips, MD<\/a>, associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School and co-host of the <i>Food, We Need to Talk<\/i> podcast <\/li>\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/drmikedow.com\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/drmikedow.com\/\">Mike Dow, PsyD<\/a>, psychotherapist, <em>New York Times<\/em> bestselling author of <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBrain-Fog-Fix-Reclaim-Memory%2Fdp%2F140194647X%2F%3Ftag%3Dwgtrx9917-20%26asc_refurl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.wellandgood.com%252Fhot-girl-hikes%252F%26asc_source%3Ddirect%26asc_campaign%3Dno-campaign&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fhot-girl-hikes%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Brain-Fog-Fix-Reclaim-Memory\/dp\/140194647X\/\" data-type=\"affiliateLink\" data-aff-intermediate=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Brain-Fog-Fix-Reclaim-Memory\/dp\/140194647X\/?tag=wgtrx9917-20&amp;asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fhot-girl-hikes%2F&amp;asc_source=direct&amp;asc_campaign=no-campaign\"><em>The Brain Fog Fix<\/em><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHealing-Broken-Brain-Questions-Recovery%2Fdp%2F1401952658%3Ftag%3Dwgtrx9917-20%26asc_refurl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.wellandgood.com%252Fhot-girl-hikes%252F%26asc_source%3Ddirect%26asc_campaign%3Dno-campaign&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fhot-girl-hikes%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Healing-Broken-Brain-Questions-Recovery\/dp\/1401952658\" data-type=\"affiliateLink\" data-aff-intermediate=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Healing-Broken-Brain-Questions-Recovery\/dp\/1401952658?tag=wgtrx9917-20&amp;asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fhot-girl-hikes%2F&amp;asc_source=direct&amp;asc_campaign=no-campaign\"><em>Healing the Broken Brain<\/em><\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDiet-Rehab-Finally-Craving-Foods%2Fdp%2F1583335048%3Ftag%3Dwgtrx9917-20%26asc_refurl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.wellandgood.com%252Fhot-girl-hikes%252F%26asc_source%3Ddirect%26asc_campaign%3Dno-campaign&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fhot-girl-hikes%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Diet-Rehab-Finally-Craving-Foods\/dp\/1583335048\" data-type=\"affiliateLink\" data-aff-intermediate=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Diet-Rehab-Finally-Craving-Foods\/dp\/1583335048?tag=wgtrx9917-20&amp;asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fhot-girl-hikes%2F&amp;asc_source=direct&amp;asc_campaign=no-campaign\"><em>Diet Rehab<\/em><\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<hr\/><\/div>\n<p>And it turns out, there\u2019s a whole lot of science behind why we crave time on the trails. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/authors\/edward-phillips-md\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/authors\/edward-phillips-md\">Edward Phillips, MD<\/a>, associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School and co-host of the <em>Food, We Need to Talk<\/em> podcast, says that hiking gives you all the physical and mental benefits of walking\u2014plus some.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are wonderful benefits to your mind to forestall depression, anxiety\u2014all of those things just from going on a short walk,\u201d Phillips says. \u201cSo you get all of those benefits and then, as the old commercials used to say: Wait, there\u2019s more.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/hot-girl-hikes\/\" current-title=\"Hot Girl Hikes Are the New Hot Girl Walks\u2014And They\u2019re Even Better for Your Heart, Balance, and Mental Health\" current-image=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/GettyImages-hot-girl-hikes_418x278_true_70.webp\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-05-18\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/hot-girl-hikes\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/hot-girl-hikes\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/hot-girl-hikes\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>What\u2019s the difference between walking and hiking?<\/h2>\n<p>Admittedly, the line is blurry. For Phillips, the distinction often comes in the intention and preparation. If you don\u2019t think twice about what shoes to wear, what your route will be, if the weather might change, or if you need to pack food and water, you\u2019re probably going for a walk.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, if you put on sturdier trail-ready shoes, pack extra layers, plan to walk on uneven terrain, and examine your route ahead of time, it\u2019s likely a hike.<\/p>\n<p>Hikes don\u2019t have to be a certain mileage or altitude, Phillips says. But they do often involve exploring new places and being in nature. The great thing about hiking? It can be as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/soft-hiking\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/soft-hiking\/\">mild<\/a> or as wild as you want\u2014either way, you\u2019ll reap the benefits.<\/p>\n<h2>What are the benefits of hiking versus walking?<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/hot-girl-walks\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/hot-girl-walks\/\">Walking<\/a> is the most popular form of exercise in the world, and for good reason. There\u2019s the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/power-walking-for-longevity\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/power-walking-for-longevity\/\">longevity<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/walking-help-bone-density\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/walking-help-bone-density\/\">bone strength<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/walking-healthy-heart\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/walking-healthy-heart\/\">cardiovascular<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/walking-improve-brain-health\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/walking-improve-brain-health\/\">brain health<\/a> benefits. Walking can boost your immune system, soothe joint pain, reduce the risk of breast cancer, and even quell your cravings for sweets, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/staying-healthy\/5-surprising-benefits-of-walking\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/staying-healthy\/5-surprising-benefits-of-walking\">according to Harvard Medical School<\/a>.\u00a0But you get all those perks and more when you transform that walk into a hike.<\/p>\n<h3>1. Hiking challenges your heart and leg muscles<\/h3>\n<p>Trekking across a rolling trail is nature\u2019s own interval training, Phillips says. Hikes often include various uphill and downhill sections, which leads to a natural undulation in effort. \u201cYou\u2019re going to work harder going up. Your heart rate is going to come up. Your breathing is going to increase, and then when you\u2019re coming down, you have a chance to relax a little bit,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>This variation in incline demands more from your muscles than a typical stroll around the community\u2019s retention pond. Your glutes fire up to help you conquer the uphill portions, and then your quads engage on the descent, acting as your body\u2019s natural brakes, Phillips says. And these changes in incline don\u2019t have to be dramatic: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/running-build-glutes\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/running-build-glutes\/\">Even gentle hills<\/a> can work muscles we don\u2019t activate on a flat walk.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Hiking can improve your balance<\/h3>\n<p>Since hiking often takes place on terrain that\u2019s a little rougher than your residential sidewalk, it\u2019s an excellent way to challenge your balance. All of the movements you make throughout a hike, from stepping over a big rock to walking across a log, train your body to maintain its equilibrium under a slew of different circumstances. \u201cAnd the more you challenge any system in your body, the more your body is going to adapt and get better at it,\u201d says Phillips So if you find yourself stumbling down a trail littered with loose stones or take an unintentional dip in a babbling brook, don\u2019t fret. Your next foray into the forest will likely be a little smoother.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Hiking can increase happiness and decrease stress<\/h3>\n<p>Perhaps more potent than the physical benefits of hiking are the mental perks. Studies have shown that people who spend meaningful time in nature report increased levels of happiness, positive social interactions, and purpose in life, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/monitor\/2020\/04\/nurtured-nature\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/monitor\/2020\/04\/nurtured-nature\">according to the American Psychological Association<\/a>. And the effects outweigh those seen by walking in urban environments: A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/doi\/10.1073\/pnas.1510459112\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" class=\"no-underline citation\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/doi\/10.1073\/pnas.1510459112\"><span>pair<\/span><sup>1<\/sup><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0169204615000286?via%3Dihub\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" class=\"no-underline citation\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0169204615000286?via%3Dihub\"><span>of<\/span><sup>2<\/sup><\/a> 2015 studies showed that, compared to their city-walking counterparts, people who took strolls in nature showed less anxiety, less rumination, and less activity in a part of the brain linked to depression.<\/p>\n<p>Even the shapes we see on the trails can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/mental-health-benefits-of-hiking\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/mental-health-benefits-of-hiking\/\">have a calming effect<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fieldtriphealth.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.fieldtriphealth.com\/\">Field Trip Health<\/a> psychotherapist <a href=\"https:\/\/drmikedow.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/drmikedow.com\/\">Mike Dow, PsyD<\/a>, author of <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBrain-Fog-Fix-Reclaim-Memory%2Fdp%2F1401946488%3Ftag%3Dwgtrx9917-20%26asc_refurl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.wellandgood.com%252Fhot-girl-hikes%252F%26asc_source%3Ddirect%26asc_campaign%3Dno-campaign&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fhot-girl-hikes%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Brain-Fog-Fix-Reclaim-Memory\/dp\/1401946488\" data-type=\"affiliateLink\" data-aff-intermediate=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Brain-Fog-Fix-Reclaim-Memory\/dp\/1401946488?tag=wgtrx9917-20&amp;asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fhot-girl-hikes%2F&amp;asc_source=direct&amp;asc_campaign=no-campaign\"><em>The Brain Fog Fix<\/em><\/a>, previously told Well+Good. \u201cCities are made up of sharp angles from things like buildings, which the subconscious can perceive as danger, spiking adrenaline and cortisol levels,\u201d he says. \u201cWalking in nature exposes you to fractals, the soothing shapes that make up the universe (like seashells, snowflakes, and trees), allowing your serotonin levels to climb naturally.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Phillips encourages hikers to try out the Japanese practice of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/forest-bathing-i-tried-it\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/forest-bathing-i-tried-it\/\">\u201cforest bathing,\u201d<\/a> a type of mobile meditation where you focus on the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural environment around you rather than, say, gabbing with your girlfriend about the latest work gossip. <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/21996763\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" class=\"no-underline citation\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/21996763\/\"><span>Studies<\/span><sup>3<\/sup><\/a> show that slowing down to take in the natural environment around us on a hike can help put us into a more relaxed state.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Hiking can deepen relationships<\/h3>\n<p>People often recruit friends to hike with them, both for safety and enjoyment. And walking a few miles in the woods with your loved ones can help cultivate meaningful relationships. <a href=\"https:\/\/psycnet.apa.org\/record\/2015-21454-002?nav=F4tE-518335\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" class=\"no-underline citation\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/psycnet.apa.org\/record\/2015-21454-002?nav=F4tE-518335\"><span>One study<\/span><sup>4<\/sup><\/a> at the University of California, Irvine, for instance, found that sharing a sense of awe outside can bring us closer to each other.<\/p>\n<p>Hiking can also make conversations easier. \u201cYou are often more concerned about your breath as you walk up an incline, or focused on the beautiful surroundings, and communication may flow easier,\u201d psychologist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healingrelationshipspa.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.healingrelationshipspa.com\/\">Alyson Nerenberg<\/a> previously told Well+Good about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/hiking-to-deepen-your-relationship\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/hiking-to-deepen-your-relationship\/\">relationship benefits of hiking<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Not in the mood to chat? Phillips says even hiking in silence with another person can foster feelings of connection.<\/p>\n<h2>It doesn\u2019t take much<\/h2>\n<p>While all these physical and mental bonuses might inspire you to climb the closest peak you can find, just know that much like hot girl walks, hot girl hikes don\u2019t need to be extreme to invoke all the advantages. Though <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/hiking-motivation-advice\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/hiking-motivation-advice\/\">longer hikes<\/a> may offer deeper rewards. \u201cWe know the benefits are dose-dependent,\u201d says Dr. Dow. \u201cHaving a long, unstructured, and meditative period of time in nature can better rebalance your neurotransmitter levels as you move from \u2018doing\u2019 to \u2018being\u2019 mode.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That said, you probably want to leave Kilimanjaro to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/lisa-thompson-mountains-breast-cancer\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/lisa-thompson-mountains-breast-cancer\/\">the pros<\/a>. Just go after whatever trail near you feels accessible and fires up your own sense of adventure.<\/p>\n<div class=\"block-thin post-citations mt-[40px] mb-[30px]\" data-module-init=\"main-2020\/post-citations\" data-module-immediate=\"true\">\n<hr class=\"!border-seafoam-dark mb-[24px]\"\/>\n<div class=\"post-citations-content flex flex-col gap-[24px]\">\n<p>Well+Good articles reference scientific, reliable, recent, robust studies to back up the information we share. You can trust us along your wellness journey.<\/p>\n<div>\n<ol class=\"!ml-[18px] !mt-0\">\n<li>\n              Bratman, Gregory N et al. \u201cNature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation.\u201d\u00a0<i>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America<\/i>\u00a0vol. 112,28 (2015): 8567-72. doi:10.1073\/pnas.1510459112            <\/li>\n<li>\n              Bratman, Gregory N et al.<br \/>\u201cThe benefits of nature experience: Improved affect and cognition.\u201d<br \/><em>Landscape and Urban Planning <\/em>vol. 138<br \/>(2015). doi: 10.1016\/j.landurbplan.2015.02.005            <\/li>\n<li>\n              Miyazaki, Yoshifumi et al.\u00a0<i>Nihon eiseigaku zasshi. Japanese journal of hygiene<\/i>\u00a0vol. 66,4 (2011): 651-6. doi:10.1265\/jjh.66.651            <\/li>\n<li>\n              Piff, Paul K., et al. \u2018Awe, the Small Self, and Prosocial Behavior\u2019.\u00a0<i>Journal of Personality and Social Psychology<\/i>, vol. 108, no. 6, American Psychological Association (APA), June 2015, pp. 883\u2013899, doi:10.1037\/pspi0000018            <\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<hr class=\"!border-seafoam-dark mt-[24px]\"\/>\n  <\/div>\n<div class=\"disclaimers__after_content mb-[18px] mt-[16px] pt-[16px]\">\n<div class=\"outline-earmark relative mt-[8px] pt-[10px] pl-[20px]\">\n<p>\n            Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.          <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When I moved to Denver in July, I was so eager to hit the trails that I couldn\u2019t wait for the weekends. As soon as the clock struck 5 p.m. on a workday, I\u2019d slam my laptop shut, throw on my backpack, and head for the hills\u2014literally. 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