HIKING CLEARS THE MIND AND SOOTHES THE SOUL

(this article first appeared in Lake Champlain Weekly magazine, Sept. 1 2010 by Bob Phillips)

        In this age we live, there is much interest in physical activity. Many like to bike, walk, canoe, kayak and run in order to turn back the hands of time or at the least suppress the aging process. We try to enjoy a certain quality in our life that allows us to participate in the many things we find exciting and meaningful.
One of simplest of activities that we can engage in is hiking. Whether we enjoy short ambles out through the countryside or we enjoy the scenic nature walks along rivers, lakes or through the woods, the end result is the importance. Often we cut short the real benefit of these hikes. We don’t fully incorporate the true essence of the hike into what might do us the most good.
Certainly hiking is great for our overall physical health. We are well aware of the fact that we need to put in a certain amount of time with our heart rate operating at a certain level in order to gain healthful benefit from the exercise we undertake. But too often we are so concentrated upon the heart rate and maintaining the aerobic level of efficiency for the most effective benefit, that we miss out on another truly healthful benefit.
The physical health benefits can’t be minimized. But there is the mind and we might even mention the soul that also benefits from our hiking endeavors. The physical certainly allows our hearts to operate much more efficiently over long periods of time and under stressful conditions. There is also the calming effect of our exercise that allows our minds to strengthen and our souls to calm, even in the midst of stress.
Way too often I see individuals speed racing through their hikes, whether nature walks or mountain hikes, and I wonder if they really receive any enjoyment from these outings. Sure you can check off one more trail conquered or one more peak bagged, but did you enjoy the trek along the way? Or do you end the hike feeling more exhaustion than exhilaration?
When we put head down and with shoulders swinging we hit the trail and don’t look up until we cross the self-imposed finish line, we often short change ourselves. On any outing there is much to experience along the way that might well lift the soul and clear the mind of the complications of the day. To miss those experiences is a sad commentary at the least.
In my own way of thinking, I have solved more problems of life while out hiking than in any one other place I find myself. I have often cleared my mind of all the clutter that often fogs our insight for what lies ahead in life. This happens, not because I am so self absorbed during the hike that I rehash these things throughout, but rather because I allow myself this little bit of time to really get in touch with the natural world around me and experience the solitude and tranquility of a hike.
Little things often speak to our minds and souls if we just allow them the privilege. It may be something as small as watching a little toad along the trail or seeing a number of red efts coming out after a steady rain. Perhaps a snake crosses your path and you watch it’s searching progress as it hunts for food. Maybe you are lucky enough to find one of our larger yellow spotted salamanders following a particularly damp period of time. It may be something that is thought provoking such as finding an old stump torn apart by bears feeding on the insects found inside. All these unique experiences can refresh the soul and stimulate the mind.
Sadly, too often I find people do not see these things because they are too busy getting from point A to point B in the fastest possible time. I know this is true because I have often asked hiking partners if they saw this or that along the trail and the answer is always the same. “No, but I would have liked too!”
As the admonition goes, take time to smell the roses along the way, as you head afield and astream this fall because it clears the mind and soothes the soul.