Nature is the Key to Happiness

I have often cited the important role that trails play in overall health and well-being. And I have specifically discussed how trails seem to have an incredibly positive effect on mood and attitude.

For a quick dose of nature's medicine,
find a nearby trail.

But I also attributed a lot of that positive force to the healthful benefits of exercise. It turns out, I was only partially correct; and that's good news. Because if exercise was the only good aspect to trails, then people could get the same results by working out in a gym.

But a relatively new study out of the University of Rochester shows that being outdoors and surrounded by nature may play an even bigger role in the positive effects of trails on our mood.

The study was carefully conducted to neutralize the exercise-effect by comparing people who walked indoors with those who walked outdoors. It became fairly obvious that nature and the outdoors environment played a significant role in boosting people's morale. This is not to downplay other factors such as exercise and social interaction. Many studies have shown that these are also important factors in happiness and contentment. However, it would appear that Mother Nature may play the most significant role of all.

So when you're feeling down and need a quick pick-me-up, just hit the trail. You'll soon be feeling the effects of exercise, social stimulation, and, best of all, nature's own magic elixir.

Nature is the Key to Happiness

In some ways this post is the opposite of my usual posts. For starters, I usually write about biking and bike trails. This post is about a cross-country ski   outing. And most of my blog posts talk about trails I travel around the country to ride. This one is about a trail just outside my back door. And speaking of trails, I usually stick to the beaten path, but on this day, I chose to wander where my skis led me. And as a result, I got to see some beautiful scenery, including this owl WHO waited patiently while I fumbled around in my winter jacket to get my camera out. It took me forever to locate him in the viewfinder, since he was so well camouflaged against the tree. I guess my point here is, sometimes it's better to try new adventures and ways of doing things. In so doing, you experience life's little surprises. Don't get caught in a rut. Go new places, see new things, eat new foods, meet new people and above all, experience the world and live a full life. Have a Merry Christmas and I hope to hear from you in the new year.