Why Walking and Hiking Have Become My Happy Place

I am the first to admit that I’m a late bloomer when it comes to hiking. I never hiked as a child or even in my teens and college years. Of course, I walked to get to places but this was more out of necessity than because it was an activity to enjoy.

Fast Forward to 2020. When COVID hit, the outside became the safe place to spend time and to social distance. I started taking daily walks, alone and with my husband, but it soon morphed into something bigger. Walking became an integral part of my daily life.

Walking and hiking have become my happy place.

Nowadays, I miss my daily walk if I don’t take one. My body and mind crave it. And no matter the season or weather, this lady laces up her sneakers and takes a walk outside. No treadmills for me. Not that I’m bashing these machines. I even used them at one point. But I encountered a big problem. Walking inside on a treadmill bored me to death. Walking outside, however, mixes things up a bit. Weather is variable, you can walk different routes, and, best of all, you’re breathing fresh air.

So why do I walk almost every day and have no plans to stop?

It helped me get healthy! Walking is an activity that can pretty much be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere, no matter your age or skill level. And, yes, of course, there are health benefits to this physical activity. I’m not here, however, to list those benefits. Plenty of health and fitness articles and studies provide that information.

For this lady, walking did become part of a plan to get healthier. And it worked! I’m proud to say that two years later, along with healthier eating, I’m 20 pounds lighter.

So, if you’re looking for an activity to lose a few pounds with little monetary investment, walking fits the bill. Good walking shoes, hiking boots or sneakers are all that are required.

It gives me time to breathe and think. Walking is not a competitive sport. It’s about what you can accomplish. It’s no wonder that a lot of medical practitioners prescribe “ecotherapy” for their patients battling depression, stress, anxiety, and insomnia. Walking provides me with time to recalibrate my day, take a breath, and clear my head.

I enjoy the challenge of pushing myself. Perhaps it’s the adrenaline or a sense of accomplishment. The amazing byproduct of this activity is how it has made me want more.

It gives me time to disconnect from the screen and connect with me. Phones, tablets, laptops, and TVs are as useful as they’re harmful. Sadly, I’m as guilty as the next person in overusing them. As a writer, wife, mother, friend, and daughter, I can wholeheartedly confirm that these devices can easily make you feel overwhelmed, demanding your attention with a never-ending stream of notifications and updates. Secondly, they can be extremely addictive. It can be really hard to get away from all those gadgets and enjoy the truly important things in life.

And please don’t be one of those people walking and talking on their phones. Use this time to just listen to nature or pop in your earbuds as I do, and enjoy some of your favorite music. (Of course, always be aware of your surroundings and traffic!)