As the leaves fall, colorful scenery fills the crisp autumn air. Cooler weather and fall foliage invite people to immerse themselves in nature through various outdoor activities like hiking. Hiking offers many physical and mental health benefits that allow people to calm brain activity and become present in the moment, all while building their physical strength, according to health.clevelandclinic.org.
There are many benefits of walking in nature for mental health. A recent study found that people who walked for 90 minutes in a natural setting showed a decrease in the brain activity that links to depression compared to those who walked in high-traffic urban areas, according to news.stanford.edu. Hiking also calms anxiety, reduces stress, improves sensory perception, and makes people joyful. Along with the exercise from a long walk, hiking can release endorphins and boost happiness. Going on walks in nature with friends and family can also strengthen relationships. For those looking for diverse hiking spots, there are over 400 national parks nationwide, according to nps.gov.
Besides its benefits for mental health, hiking also has numerous physical benefits. Hiking can improve sleep quality, help body recovery, decrease the risk of heart or respiratory problems, and improve the sense of balance. Studies that researched the impacts of color exposure on brain activity concluded that colors of nature, specifically the color green, have a calming effect that regulates parasympathetic activity and tones down sympathetic activity, according to health.clevelandclinic.org. Mrs. Alisa Harrison, Upper School Math Teacher, discussed how hiking and spending time in nature benefit both the body and mind.
“My favorite part of hiking is just getting outside and being in nature and disconnected from everything,” Mrs. Harrison said. “I really enjoy spending time getting fresh air, seeing beautiful views, and the feeling of accomplishment when you reach a summit. Hiking is an endurance sport, which requires a different mentality than some other field sports.”
Mrs. Harrison started hiking when she attended a summer camp in the Adirondack Mountains. This summer camp also introduced her to becoming a 46er, which is accomplished by climbing all 46 high peaks of the Adirondacks, according to adk46er.org. Mrs. Harrison continued her interest in hiking through college, where she hiked the White Mountains in New Hampshire. After college, she returned to her ambition of hiking the 46 high peaks. Mrs. Harrison highlighted how spending time in nature helps her to feel more grounded.
“My family has a motto that ‘hiking is not optional’, which for us means getting out into nature and being exposed to the elements,” Mrs. Harrison said. “There are proven psychological benefits, that getting off screens and looking at the natural world improves mental health. For me, hiking and being in nature is another form of church. When I go out and witness God’s creation, I get that sense of awe that you don’t always get in your everyday life.”
Featured Image by Avery Quake ‘26
