{"id":6019,"date":"2021-07-10T10:43:39","date_gmt":"2021-07-10T15:43:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/?p=6019"},"modified":"2023-12-26T14:39:23","modified_gmt":"2023-12-26T20:39:23","slug":"hiking-and-happiness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/hiking-and-happiness\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiking and Happiness: Science Unveils the Secret | Anxiety, Depression, Stress"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Why is it that so many people say that hiking and being outside makes you happier? Hiking is difficult, somewhat dangerous, and definitely uncomfortable. I wanted to find out the real facts and data that’s out there about happiness and hiking. I also have my own personal experience that I’ll save for the end of the post. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hiking as well as outdoor activity has objectively been shown to assist in reducing cortisol (stress hormone) and lowering our heart rate, which is associated with lower stress. Hiking has been shown to temper the effects of anxiety, depression and stress. Lastly, hikers claim a better sense of well-being.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just like anything, there is no “silver bullet” for being happy. As you might imagine. Happiness will not automatically happen if you start hiking every weekend. But will it help? Well, it will on many different levels. For the rest of this post I’ll talk about all the different ways hiking can make us happy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This post is a choose your own adventure exercise:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
if you want to see what science <\/strong>says, read this part of the article<\/li>\n\n\n\n
If you want to see what my own personal experience is and the experience of others, read this part of the article<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n