Hiking is a great way to work your body and clear your mind. It can also push you to make new neural connections and build brain plasticity. Hiking is also great for your spirit, reducing your stress level and helping you feel proud of achieving a goal.

Increase Circulation

Getting your heart beating a little harder gets your whole circulatory system going, and that is great for your brain. A good hike will also tire you out and allow you to fall into a deeper sleep at night. No matter how careful we are to eat healthy and reduce our toxin exposure, the world can be hard on our bodies and brains. Deep rest, such as after a good hike and plenty of fresh air, can cleanse the brain of toxins.

Increase Plasticity

Exercise in general is believed to increase neurogenesis or new brain cells in the hippocampus. By combining exercise with the tools of hiking, such as

  • reading a map
  • using a compass
  • studying the sky for the position of the sun

greatly increases your brain plasticity. This combination of activities literally forces your brain to stretch and help you make new neural connections that weren’t firing yesterday.

Goals

The top of the hiking trail is a celebration, even if the path can be a challenge. Once you get to the top, give yourself the chance to celebrate! The healthy choice of hiking is only possible because you leave less healthy choices behind. There’s no television on the hiking trail, and if you pack water and healthy snacks, the benefits just keep coming.

Creative Growth

While parts of the hiking trail can be hard work, there will be stretches where all you have to do is walk. Since walking is a habit you learned long ago, be ready for big creative thoughts to come to you. Consider carrying a notebook where you can write down the thoughts that come up on your hike.

Habitual behavior makes room for creative ideas to come forth. There’s a reason we have “aha!” moments in the shower; showering is a habit or set of steps that are an automatic patter. It doesn’t require thought. Walking is similar, so if you’re pushing your body and brain on some sections of your hike, pay attention to your thoughts on the easier part of the path. You may be thrilled with what comes up.

Exercise in general is known to be good for the brain. The addition of visual variety, map-reading, compass study and path choice add intensity to the brain boost. Hiking is good for every aspect of your health.