Autumn, while signaling the end of long summer days and steamy summer nights, brings with it its own beauty and wonder. The changing colors of the leaves and crisp, cool smell of autumn are just two reasons to throw on your favorite hoodie and head out onto the hiking trail, but did you know that there is bona fide research out there that shows how hiking can improve both physical and mental health?
It’s just common sense to consider how looking up from our phones, turning off the TV and shutting off our tablets allows us to connect with the world around us in a way unparalleled by what those bright screens can provide. Yet, researchers have found that unseasoned hikers who disconnected from technology and spent four days immersed in nature improved their performance on a creativity and problem-solving task by 50 percent. This is something that many right-brained, creative types likely already know, yet serves as a good reminder for left-brainers, such as myself, who may find themselves swept up in the minutiae of everyday details and struggle with seeing the bigger picture.
