We live an urbanized, fast-paced, consumerist, sensory-driven lifestyle. It’s full of siren-sounding alarm clocks, honking horns, to-go orders, blaring music, buzzing cell phones, deadlines, five-o-clock traffic and headaches. And after hitting the snooze button multiple times on our alarms, we greet this stressful, hectic routine every single day.
But there’s something about being outside and being in the mountains. The gentle and rolling, tall and established Appalachians are absolutely incredible, surreal even, in the way they leave you with a feeling of insignificance. Standing on top of them and looking out, there’s a sense of security in being so small in comparison. Our problems really aren’t that big and there’s no sense in worrying about them when we stand no taller than a spec against the rest of the world.
Hiking can cleanse your mind, body, and soul. And even though this may seem obvious, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences now has scientific research proving how hiking changes our brain.
PNAS tested their hypothesis that with urbanization, comes increased levels of depression and other mental illness. In a controlled experiment, PNAS tested the effects nature has on rumination, repetitive thought focused on negativity, by leading participants on a 90-minute walk through a natural environment. The experiment concluded reduced neural activity in an area linked to risk for mental illness compared with participants who walked through an urban environment.
“These results suggest that accessible natural areas may be vital for mental health in our rapidly urbanizing world,” PNAS said.
Kara Ridenhour expands upon the claim PNAS’s research provides. Her experience working in outdoor education through National Outdoor Leadership School, School of Urban and Wilderness Survival, Outward Bound, and Outdoor Adventure Programming through Camp Lutherock and Novus Way Inc., makes her knowledgeable on how nature works through her and the people surrounding her.
“I call it outdoor medicine,” Ridenhour said, “being outside cleanses me and leaves me feeling better than before.”
We are so lucky to live in Boone, an area that fosters outdoor creativity. Here, we have the opportunity to run, hike, climb, swim, raft, cave, and just explore. Here are a few of my favorite places.
Beacon Heights is one of the best places to see the sunset. Even though it's not much of a hike, pack a picnic and bring your camera because these views are hard to beat.
The Grayson Highlands offer a variety of activities. You can backpack, camp, hike, or just walk up from the parking lot and play with the wild ponies. There are endless opportunities for adventure.
For hiking opportunities, you should check out the Profile Trail. This 12-mile trail climbs the profile of Grandfather Mountain and is arguably, one of the most technical and impressive hikes on the east coast.
Worley’s Cave in Bluff City, Tennessee is “the best natural spelunking spot this side of the Mississippi,” said Tennessee Adventure Trips. It offers over 4,000 caves and taverns waiting to be explored.
For Kayaking opportunities, check out Price Lake. You and a friend can rent a kayak for under $5 and enjoy a day on the lake.
Ava Reck, a psychology major and Boone native said, “Whether I’m running down a trail, hiking up a mountain or laying in a field, being in nature reminds me to live simply, and to appreciate everything that surrounds me.”
Nature works wonders on our mental health and there are so many opportunities to take advantage of in Boone. So the next time you’re feeling stressed or anxious, pick up a friend and get outside to put your problems in perspective; our beautiful mountains will show you just how small they are.
