22nd October 2024

The Power of Nature For Wellbeing

There’s something extraordinary about stepping outside, feeling the earth beneath your feet, and breathing in the fresh air. It’s as if nature itself whispers a secret that only those who slow down long enough can hear. And for those who listen, the rewards are profound.

Before I founded The Hike Collective, I was like many people — racing through life with little time to pause and truly breathe. Caught in the whirlwind of work and responsibilities, I often felt the weight of stress and pressure. It wasn’t until I began seeking refuge in the outdoors, through movement and connection with nature, that I discovered a new way to heal and find balance.

It started with a simple walk. No grand adventure, no heavy backpack, just me and the open trail. As I moved through the landscape, I noticed how the noise in my head began to fade, replaced by the gentle hum of nature. The sound of the wind in the trees, the rustling of leaves underfoot, the birds calling in the distance — these small, quiet things made all the difference. I felt lighter, more present, and most importantly, more at peace.

In these moments, I began to understand how powerful movement in nature could be for mental wellbeing. Walking became my way of processing the stresses of daily life, of reconnecting with myself and the world around me. It became a form of therapy — a way to soothe my mind, release tension, and find clarity in the midst of life’s chaos.

But it wasn’t just the physical act of walking that helped; it was the connection I felt to something bigger. There was a magic in sharing these moments with others too — the camaraderie of walking alongside friends or strangers, bonding over shared experiences, and finding solace in the natural world together. Movement and connection in nature became my anchor, and from that seed of healing, The Hike Collective was born.

Since then, I’ve been on a mission to share the power of nature with others. At The Hike Collective, we don’t just offer guided hikes — we create spaces where people can step away from the rush of modern life and find a moment of calm. Our trails are designed not only for adventure but also for restoration. We believe that movement and connection in nature can be a gateway to better mental health and wellbeing.

And it’s not just anecdotal. Science now backs up what many of us have experienced. Research from the University of Exeter shows that spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Another study from Stanford University found that walking in nature can reduce rumination, the cycle of negative thoughts, which is linked to mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

Nature’s impact on stress reduction is profound too. A study published in *Frontiers in Psychology* found that as little as 20 minutes in a natural setting can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol by up to 21%. For those of us juggling the demands of modern life, these moments of respite in nature can be transformative.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of seeing people transform on our hikes. Some come looking for a physical challenge, others seeking time away from the stresses of life, but they all leave with something deeper — a renewed sense of calm, clarity, and connection. It’s in those quiet moments, standing on a ridge or pausing by a river, that I see the same spark of peace that I found all those years ago when I started my journey.

So, whether you’re a seasoned hiker or someone who’s never set foot on a trail before, I encourage you to take a moment for nature. Step outside, breathe in the fresh air, and allow the natural world to work its wonders. You don’t have to climb mountains or embark on epic journeys; sometimes, it’s enough to simply be among the trees, by the ocean, or under the vast expanse of the sky.

Because in the end, nature has a way of giving us exactly what we need — we just have to show up and listen.