Science Explains How Hiking Changes Your Brain—And It’s Fascinating
Whether you live in a big city or a small village, tell me—when was the last time you went for a walk in the countryside?
The fast-paced lifestyle, work stress, and the concrete jungle we live in are taking a toll on us. It's not just physical—it’s mental. Depression has already become a pandemic, and it’s rare to find someone who hasn’t experienced stress, anxiety, or insomnia.
Recent scientific studies have shown that activities like hiking, excursions, and walks—essentially any activity done in a natural environment far from the city—trigger a series of positive physiological and mental changes in our health.
Discover 5 amazing benefits humans experience when they reconnect with nature.
Most people sleep on big decisions, but did you know it’s even better to talk them over with nature?
According to a study by the National Academy of Sciences, walking for 90 minutes through a natural environment has a strong positive impact on people’s mood, reducing sadness, stress, and worry about work and family. In contrast, the same study found that a 90-minute walk through the city made no difference to people’s emotional state.
Brain scans showed that those who walked in nature experienced reduced blood flow in the subgenual prefrontal cortex—the area of the brain associated with negative thoughts and depression.
Psychologists Ruth Ann Atchley and David L. Strayer found in 2012 that after four days of disconnecting in nature with no access to technology, creativity spikes.
They confirmed this when all participants scored 50% higher on the RAT test, a well-known tool used to assess creative potential. A 50% increase is a big jump and shows how much digital stimulation overwhelms our creative minds.
Constant notifications, WhatsApp groups, inbox overload, and daily interruptions undermine our ability to focus and cause our productivity to plummet.
A 2004 study found that a good walk outdoors can increase focus and, even more importantly, can help alleviate symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder.
Trekking is a powerful aerobic exercise, burning between 400 and 700 calories per hour. That alone is great for your body—but it’s also great for your mind.
Outdoor exercise and activities increase memory retention and reduce memory loss, making it highly recommended during study periods.
Even a five-minute jog in the woods is enough to significantly boost self-esteem. Not to mention the pride and joy you feel after completing a demanding hike and spending the entire day immersed in nature. This effect is even stronger if you’re surrounded by water features like rivers or streams.
Probably not—but science has repeatedly shown that it’s an activity with multiple positive effects on our mind, body, and social life.
So don’t think twice—when you feel overwhelmed, put on your hiking boots, grab your gear, pack a snack, and head into nature to walk, disconnect, and clear your head. Your health, your life, and your soul will thank you for it.
Source: lavozdelmuro.net
This is the end of the post on the difference between Trekking and Hiking. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more content like this 👉 Instagram and YouTube