John Muir once said, “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
I’m pretty sure I understand what Mr. Muir was talking about. There’s something special about being alone in the wilderness; the beauty, the peacefulness, the wildlife. There is no substitute for the feeling one gets from hiking a creekside singletrack after the snowmelt begins, or happening upon a mountain meadow during the spring wildflower bloom. If you don’t make a habit of spending time in nature, you are missing out on something important; something essential.
With today’s fast-paced lifestyle and constant connection to a steady stream of information, many of us are spending less and less time outdoors, and that is affecting more than just our physical health.
“Creativity in the Wild: Improving Creativity Through Immersion in Natural Settings,” is a study posted on the website of the Public Library of Science, and discusses something called Attention Restoration Theory. According to the study’s authors, one of the ideas behind ART is that people are more apt to handle creative problem-solving tasks after spending some time hiking around in the woods (without their iPhones).
According to the study, participants were 50 percent better at solving problems after “disconnecting” from technology and the Internet and spending up to four days walking around in the forest.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the health benefits of hiking around in the woods. There are numerous studies that prove that time spent outdoors can improve health in all types of ways, from aiding in weight loss to helping with depression.
Maybe that’s what Muir was talking about when he said, “nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine into trees.”
We all have different reasons for spending time in nature, and your experience might not be as intense as Muir’s, who spent many years in California’s Yosemite National Park in the late 1800s. However, I think almost everyone can agree that even a short hike through the forest has a positive effect on your physical and mental well-being.
Dayton-area artist and nature-lover Christopher Etch-Weyrich said he loves spending time in the outdoors because it is inspiring and grounding.
“I like the contrast from the city life, and getting fresh oxygen and sunshine is the best,” Weyrich said. “Walking around barefoot in nature is my favorite.”
I agree with what Weyrich said about being “grounded” through immersion in our natural environment. I think that’s a fairly accurate description of what happens to a lot of people when they spend time in the forest.
Sinclair business management major Joshua Kent puts it another way:
“It’s almost like meditation—I get a chance to unwind,” Kent said about the time he spends communing with nature.
Kent said he enjoys hiking through the forest at the nearby Narrows Reserve in Greene County, which is situated on 162 acres and has over four miles of hiking trails, in addition to bird-watching, fishing, canoeing and camping.
Weyrich’s and Kent’s views about the benefits of hiking are definitely supported by science. There are many studies that show that hiking is a great way to relieve stress, reset your creative capacity and fight depression.
Luckily for us, Dayton has plenty of great places for us to go to escape the concrete jungle without travelling very far at all. For example, If you live close to downtown, you can easily access the Great Miami River Trail, which is upwards of 60 miles in length.
If you’re looking for something a little less epic, or maybe just something that’s not paved, there are plenty of parks around, like the Sugarcreek Metropark in Bellbrook. Sugarcreek’s hiking trails meander through more than 600 scenic acres, and the park is a popular destination for Dayton-area hikers.
One of my favorite spots to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city is Huffman Metropark. Huffman is home to Dayton’s famous Metroparks Mountain Biking Area, and has over eight miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails. It’s far enough out of the city that you get somewhat of an experience of being in nature, but not too far (you can still hear the highway sometimes).
If you do decide to head out into the wilderness, please follow a few basic precautions to avoid having a “bad trip.”
First and foremost, wear the right shoes. Something comfortable like cross-trainers usually works just fine. You don’t want to get blisters or slip and fall.
Also, bring plenty of water and high-calorie snacks so you don’t get dehydrated and/or “bonk.” Bonking is a term used by hikers and bikers to describe the feeling we get when our blood sugar gets dangerously low and we find that we just don’t have the energy or strength to continue. Usually this isn’t a big problem unless you are several miles or more from civilization. Then it can be a very serious problem.
Another handy item I like to have with me in the forest is a small LED flashlight. Ideally, you’ll want to plan on getting back to the parking lot before the sun goes down, but it gets dark fast in the woods, and if you get lost, it can be a long night without your flashlight.
Finally, dress smart. Wear lightweight, breathable gear that will keep you warm without overheating. Try to avoid cotton, which absorbs water and is slow to dry, and could end up giving you a chill. Make sure you have enough warm clothing, even if the forecast is fair. The weather can change rapidly and catch unwary hikers by surprise.
People hike for a variety of reasons: fitness, heart health, peace of mind, and just for the adventure of it. Whatever your reasons, be safe and have fun with it.