Originally posted onĀ The TrekĀ onĀ January 31st, 2017
Iām sure to most of you it is a no brainer that there are some physical health benefits to hiking. It can help you control your weight, blood pressure and blood sugar, strengthen your muscles, and can even reduce your risk of heart disease. What some may be less aware of is the fact that hitting the trail can deeply affect your āmentalā wellbeing as well. Many hikers experience the phenomenon of the trailās life changing abilities every year. It may come as an epiphany; a new realization of self-worth, or it could be more gradual.
Mental Illness:
Mental illness comes in many forms: post-traumatic stress, bipolar, and anxiety disorders, depression and schizophrenia just to name a few. They also may come in various degrees and intensities. Letās lay down some facts, shall we?
- According to theĀ National Alliance on Mental Illness, āNearly 1 in 25 (10 million) adults in America live with a serious mental illness.ā
- The National Institute of Mental Health concludes, that out of adults living in America, 1 in 100 (2.4 million) of them live withĀ schizophrenia, 2.6% (61 million) live withĀ bipolar disorder, 6.9% (16 million) live with majorĀ depression, and 18.15 (42 million) live withĀ anxiety disorders.
- TheĀ American Psychiatric AssociationĀ estimated that āthe United States experienced a 24 percent increase in suicide between the years 1999 and 2014ārising from 10.5 to 13.0 per 100,000 peopleāwith increases for both males and females in nearly every age bracket.ā
- Suicide was the 2ndĀ leading cause of reported deaths in the United States in 2015 for those in the 15-34 age range according to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), and 10thĀ when you combine all deaths in all age ranges.
My Experience:
I heard the rumor that āthe trail heals,ā but hit the trail not really knowing what to expect. My expectations? āI think Iāll leave the trail more physically fit than I currently am, and maybe, just maybe, Iāll have a slight boost in confidence.ā My reality? I came out as a different person entirely, for the better.
I should mention that Iām a long-time sufferer of depression and anxiety. Not the kind you get on occasion when youāre dealing with stress, but the kind that lingers over your shoulder day in and day out, and rears its ugly, unwanted head at random. At times it can be paralyzing, but now Iāve come to terms with the fact that this is something I have to live with. With the undesirable cards that youāre dealt, you can choose to not play the game at all (what fun would that be?), or counteract that feeling of āughā by playing your hand as strategically as you know how to with total uncertainty.
Now Iām not stating that hiking long distances will cure you of any mental illness you may be suffering from. Iām also not seeking a pat on the back (āGo get āem, tiger!ā), but I think itās worth mentioning that you can go walking into the woods with a troubled mind, and come out feeling not just accomplished, but courageous.
How Hiking Heals & Hiking with a Purpose:
I hope to spread the word of how getting out in nature, even for just 90 minutes according to a study recently done by researchers at Stanford, can help alter your brain functions in a positive way. TheĀ Stanford studyĀ in a nutshell? They discovered that those who walked out in nature had a decrease in āruminationā (as they describe negative thought patterns often relating to guilt/embarrassment), than those walking in an urban atmosphere. They also noticed less neural activity in areas of the brain relating to mental illness risks with those in walking in a natural environment versus those in an urban one.
My experience roused me to take the second time around on the trail to hike with a purpose, therefore I decided to hike for mental health. I want to raise money for The Brain and Behavior Research (BBR) Foundation where 100% of proceeds go towards grants for scientists to conduct research to better understand various types of mental illnesses. More about the BBR FoundationĀ here, their scientific breakthroughsĀ here, and if anyone is interested in donating to my fundraiser, you can do soĀ hereĀ (Hey! Thanks! You’re awesome)!
Wait⦠What? I Want to Hike for Mental Health too:
If youāre looking to hike for mental health yourself, you can set up a fundraising site for the BBR FoundationĀ here. You can also set up a fundraiser or join a hike through theĀ Hike for Mental Health OrganizationĀ where proceeds will go to both the BBR Foundation and to preserving wilderness trails.
If youāre a veteran who has served in combat and have been honorably discharged, you can apply for the āWalk off the Warā program to be part of a warrior expeditionĀ here. If your application is accepted, you will receive a monthly stipend for re-supply, gear and clothing, and likely transportation, lodging, and food organized from the community.Ā If you want to donate towards Warrior Hikes, information to do so can be foundĀ here.
āHike Happy!ā

If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for theĀ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.Ā Outside of the U.S., please visit theĀ International Association for Suicide PreventionĀ for a database of resources.
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