Nature Heals, Get Outside!
What I love about hiking is that it’s a mental challenge more than just a physical one. I might feel like I am physically at my limit, but I know I can go further. When I reach the point in the hike where my body is begging to stop, I have to push through. The reward from pushing myself and succeeding is a rush like no other. Not every day has to be that mentally and physically challenging, but getting out in nature every day has its own small rewards.
The best part of walking or hiking is when I hit my “flow state” (for me, around thirty to forty-five minutes in) and the mental health benefits kick in! I feel this clarity and peace of mind that only a combination of nature and movement can give me. The longer I go, the less tangled my thoughts feel, until they all dissipate and I can be completely present to enjoy the journey (and the view at the top)! Movement in any form is the best way to actively get rid of any anxiety and stress—and it feels so good.
Here in Sandpoint, we’re so lucky to be surrounded by nature, with access to several trails close by. My go-to trails for a quick walk are the Sand Creek bike trail and the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail, and for a short hike it’s Pine Street Woods. For a longer hike, my local favorites are Golds Hill, Mickinnick, and of course, Scotchman Peak! There are countless other trails in the area, and isn’t that the best part anyway—exploring nature and adventuring somewhere new?
It’s all too easy to take for granted our easy access to nature here. Take it from me, a girl who’s lived in a city without a car, and therefore had very limited access: get outside, and cherish it.
The space, the peace and quiet, and the sights and sounds are all sure to calm you. It’s the best medicine out there. The sunshine, the wind, the dirt, the flowers, the snow: whatever the weather and whatever the season, you’ll feel better for having gone outside. Beyond Mental Health Awareness Month in May, I challenge you to get outside, and let nature heal you.
