Five Ways Hiking Can Help Reduce Your Anxiety

Do you struggle with anxiety? Take a hike.

Feeling trapped, dread, complete lack of control, and full-on fear. Anxiety is, without a doubt, detrimental, scary, and just plain sucky.

On father’s day, 2015, I suffered my first panic attack. My heart raced, my vision tunneled, and I was completely out of my mind and body. 

Is it a heart attack? Stroke? Am I dying? It was so scary and confusing that I went to the ER. To this day, it was the worst personal experience of my life.

But there’s hope and help out there for those of us who deal with this nightmare.

What helps reduce anxiety? Therapy, meditation, journaling, breathing, and hiking!

Yes, hiking has loads of mental health benefits that create a happier, calmer, and more balanced life.

According to a Stanford-led study, spending quality time on the trail with mother nature can improve our mood. That’s excellent news for those of us who deal with anxiety and depression or need to remove ourselves from those pesky negative thought-filled cycles. 

Here are five ways hiking can help reduce your anxiety

Release the superpowers

Exercise produces endorphins, and these almighty hormones are known to cause feelings of well-being that help reduce anxiety. Hiking is a fantastic way to seize hold of them and release their mood-boosting superpowers. 

Hiking can be a form of meditation

Settling your mind brings peace, balance, and focus that help offset the effects of stressors. So try focusing on one step at a time and your breathing on the trail. And tap into your senses, like the smell of pine needles or the sound of birds singing above.

Discover confidence on the trail

Often people who struggle with anxiety also struggle with low self-esteem. Create a hiking routine, do a challenging hike, and find your inner superhero. Hiking can help you feel more independent, capable, stronger, and ready to take on life's challenges, like our most unwanted guest, anxiety. 

De-stress and unplug

The more we scroll, the more our brain craves its next fix of social media dopamine, and doomscrolling can lead to anxiety, isolation, and depression. Unplugging and being in nature is a great way to be present, disconnect from the pressures and stress we often feel from scrolling, and help you focus on a happier, more in control self. 

Hiking is a form of self-care

Self-neglect can lead to anxiety, and hiking is a fantastic way to care for your mind, body, and soul. Carve out some time to hit the trail so you can take care of yourself. You’re worth it!