I know you have probably heard this phrase before.
TAKE A HIKE!
Maybe it was said in a mean or sarcastic way. But the truth is. TAKING A HIKE IS very good for you. Especially hiking in a natural setting like we have in Bella Vista. Research is showing that there is certainly many benefits of hiking regularly.
Less Stress and better cognitive function
A study by Gregory Bratman, a graduate student in Stanford’s Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources indicated that time in nature was found to have a positive effect on mood and aspects of cognitive function, including working memory, as well as a dampening effect on anxiety. The study had participants walking 50 minutes in a natural environment and 50 minutes in an urban environment. Guess which group were less stressed, had less anxiety and increased their work performance?
There are definite mental health benefits of hiking in a peaceful rural setting as opposed to an urban setting.