Take a Breather

In today’s society we are almost constantly surrounded by technology such as our desktop computers, laptops, and phones. This environment is present regardless if we are at work or at home. However, spending too much time online is not good for your mental health. That’s why it is good to take a breather and spend time away from the electronics. Even taking just one day away from the internet can have a huge positive impact on your mental wellness.

“Well what should I do with my time then?” is something you might be asking at this point. One option that doesn’t require the use of technology is to go hiking. Go somewhere that is not surrounded by lots of people. There are National Parks all around the United States which are open for visitors. Going hiking in one of these locations comes with the sound of silence. Just take a moment to be still during a hike and you will hear the silence that comes with the environment. During this moment, you also observe how calm your surroundings are. Instead of seeing cars and people passing by in a hectic manner, you’ll see the stillness of nature as well as hearing silence.

For those of you that prefer more than a moment, be sure to pack a lunch so that you can stay out in the wilderness a little longer. If you’re unsure as to what to bring for food, just think to yourself “the simpler the better”. In other words, a basic sandwich would be easier to bring instead of leftovers from a complex entree. Also, a bag of chips, fruit snacks, an apple, and a cup of pineapple pieces are good choices to bring for food. You just have to open the respective containers or plastic bags they’re stored in and then enjoy. If you also want to bring a small dessert such as a chocolate bar, that is fine, just make sure that it won’t melt due to the temperature of the place where you’re hiking.

Some people prefer not to go hiking by themselves and that is perfectly fine. Therefore, you can invite family and/or friends to go with you. They will likely appreciate the opportunity to get away from their normal routine and experience a change of scenery. When you go hiking with someone else, you can begin your hiking trek knowing that someone else is with you and have a stronger sense of safety. There is safety in numbers and going with more people than just yourself counts.

Now that the idea of going hiking at a National Park is on your mind, you might be wondering, “Where is the best place for me to go hiking?”. Ultimately that depends on what interests you. “Do you prefer to go hiking in a place with a hot or cold temperature? Do you prefer hills or flat terrain? Would you be okay with hiking in a place where snow is present? What is the expected weather for the time that you will be at your hiking destination? How long do you want to go hiking? How far do you have to travel to arrive at a particular location? How far do you want to travel to get there?” These are all questions to ask yourself when you’re planning a hiking trip.

Overall, if you plan a hiking trip and follow through with it, all while making smart and safe decisions, you will feel refreshed (even with the shortest of hikes). When you return home and become surrounded with the internet and technology again, it will feel as if it is all brand new to you.