Improve your mental, physical and spiritual health and well being. Hiking is one of the only activities that can actually do this. It gives you the time to shift gears each week and recharge yourself in many ways.

There’s no need to plan a vacation get away to go hiking. Do some research and I’m sure that you will find some great hiking spots nearby. The state parks where I live are fantastic and that’s where you’ll find me twice a week, putting in some trail miles.

Mentally, hiking gives you the space and time to figure things out. We get so involved with what’s happening in our lives that we lack the clarity to make good decisions. Take that time to think, or avoid thinking entirely. If you immerse yourself in the backcountry and shut up long enough to hear nature, something wonderful starts to happen.

After completing a challenging section of trail, you may find you feel that there’s nothing you cannot accomplish. You will encounter various obstacles and different types of terrain, putting the minor difficulties of everyday life in perspective.

Physically, the benefits are staggering. Hiking can decrease your resting blood pressure, increase your stamina, help you lose weight if you’re on a diet and prevent heart disease. It’s a great cardio workout and the view from the treadmill cannot compare with the view from the trail.

Spiritually, we are of the earth. Learning about the earth, it’s plants, animals and precious natural resources, we begin to take responsibility for those resources and all who share them. Doing so, we make better decisions for a better future.

I can’t think of a more exciting family activity. I’ve seen hiking mend the rifts between father and son, husband and wife and the outdoor memories created among friends you’ll cherish for the rest of your life.

More good news about day hiking, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on fancy gear. It doesn’t take much to get started. Be sure to learn the basic Leave No Trace principles first. They will help you learn how to minimize your impact and make the most of your outdoor experience. Go take a hike!

James Warner is a hike leader and distance hiker and hike leader who believes that hiking can improve your life mentally, physically and spiritually. To learn more about hiking and backpacking, please visit: hiking and backpacking guide