Given my situation, hiking checks a lot of boxes for me:
- Good Workout - The hikes I like to do are not a leisurely stroll. They are a very good 3 - 6 hour workout where you are in constant motion going up a mountain. Very efficient if you set off right before the sun comes up. You pretty much have the whole day after your workout still available.
- Meditative - It is a great way to get lost in your own thoughts and think through issues or let your mind come up with creative new ideas. You are free from external stimuli of the electronic variety (generally where I go. phones don’t work). Somehow, while there is a lot to look at in terms of natural habitat, it does not hijack your brain. I tend to go on trails that are not too heavily trafficked.
- Sense of Accomplishment - There’s a primal satisfaction associated with getting to the top of a mountain, and you can progressively work towards higher peaks. Clearly, I’m not the only one that feels this. It seems that from the beginning of humanity, people have felt the urge to conquer the highest peaks.
- Being in Nature - When I was young, I used to enjoy playing in the woods. I would lose track of time and get lost in the wonder of being outdoors for hours and hours. Somewhere along the line, probably around the time I began high school, my life shifted to one where I spent 80 - 90% of my time indoors. I know I was a much happier person as a young kid. There is definitely an association between positive mood and being exposed to nature. Scientific studies have proven this.
- Stimulating Conversation - While I like to go hiking alone maybe half the time, if you choose a partner wisely, you can also have some incredible conversations on a long hike. Free from distraction and having several dedicated hours with one other person, you can have a real conversation which is all too rare in this day and age. At its best, it can be like a Joe Rogan podcast session.
- Endorphins - Like other forms of exercise, a good strenuous hike will leave you with an endorphin rush that will help you reduce stress and give you a much healthier perspective on any problems that you may have or issues that you are dealing with. You can literally get high without any of the negative side effects.
