It is pretty obvious that spending some time in the outdoors is good for your body. But while preparing for our spring Reboot trips recently, I realized that the benefits of exploring nature extend far beyond your physical health.
Time in the outdoors improves your physical health
Backpacking on the Pinhoti Trail.
You get fresh air and great exercise while doing something fun like hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, kayaking or rock climbing. For example, hiking is a great cardio workout. Add in a slightly rocky trail and a little elevation change, and you’ll really be burning the calories. Even more so if you are backpacking with 25 or so pounds of gear on your pack. It also gives your leg muscles a great workout. Plus, it just feels good to smell the fresh forest air, feel the sun on your skin and hear the leaves rustling through the trees. An extra bonus: exercising outdoors is much more scenic than a trip to the gym.
Time in the outdoors improves your mental health
Spring in Yosemite National Park, California
We are addicted to screens. Hardly 10 minutes goes by without me checking my phone for e-mails, text messages, Facebook notifications. We expect and are expected to be reachable 24/7. Add on top of that the normal stresses of everyday life, and if we are not careful we find ourselves in a tidal wave of trying to keep up. It can get exhausting and drain your mental energy by the end of the day.
Sometimes we need a break. Spending time in the wilderness offers a chance to temporarily unplug from the tide of social media and technology. There are no computers in wilderness areas. Cell phone service is often spotty at best so forget about checking Twitter or Facebook from your smartphone. Instead we can go at a more measured pace, relieving stress and anxiety.
This study published in 2013 suggests that spending more time in nature and away from our computer screens, smart phones and tablets can actually improve attention span, problem-solving ability and multitasking ability.
Time in the outdoors improves your spiritual health
Soaking in a little of God’s word near Cheaha Falls.
I easily get bogged down in the busyness and grind of day-to-day life. Sometimes I tend to focus on the minutia and lose focus of the bigger picture – that as a Christian, my life is not about me. Honestly, it is easy to push God to the side and try to rely on my own power to make it through the day.
Going on a hiking, backpacking or any outdoor adventure always helps me refocus and and reminds me to let God take control. In the wilderness, the façade of control is removed. No matter how much you plan and how much gear you take, there is always at least a slight bit of risk when you are out in the wilderness. This helps me to remember to trust God in my day-to-day life.
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. “– Psalm 119:105
The gorgeous and sometimes epic scenery reminds me that I’m a small part in a much, much bigger story. With no technology to distract me, it is a lot easier to focus on the word of God and hear His voice. It helps me get the fresh perspective that often comes from taking a short break and stepping back from something. Plus, reading your Bible and praying at stops along a trail and discussing God’s word with others around a campfire is just plain awesome.
Check out this earlier post for more thoughts about the spiritual benefits.
While we can’t always afford to spare a whole day or two on the trail, we can experience some of these benefits by doing simple things like taking a walk around the neighborhood, finding a local walking trail, visiting a local park or spending some time around a fire pit in our own backyards.
Reboot Wilderness Adventures 
Awesome!