In this stressful world we live in, it’s easy to forget how important being in nature is for our mental health and health in general. No matter which option you prefer, some things are the same between hiking and cycling – you are outdoor, relying on your own resources to get you to that final goal you have set for yourself.
Hiking and Health
Hiking helps you clear your mind and reduce stress. They positively impact your sleep quality and help you boost your memory while reducing anxiety and even helping you cope with depression. And, hiking can help you experience an everyday occurrence like a sunset like never before.
A Different Perspective on Sunsets
a sunset from Finisterre, a worthy extension of the el Camino de Santiago
Seeing a sunset after a hike is not so much a reward as it is a sign that you did a good job. There is more to it than just pretty colors, it becomes an experience that allows one to become more in tune with nature.
After a long day of summer, the sun that is setting down no longer burns, all that is left is the final bursts of warmth for the day. Perhaps because you know that they are the ultimate rays of sunshine for the day, you get to appreciate them more before you retire from a hike. In fall and winter, there is a greater sudden shift in temperature after the sun goes down, and it makes you think about how you have managed to make the best out of the shorter days and adds a layer of accomplishment that boosts your enjoyment.
Being out and about in nature for the day on a hike and then seeing a beautiful sunset somehow removes the barrier between you and the natural environment. Everything seems up close and real. No Instagram or Snapchat filter can stand up to the true beauty of a sunset. To fully experience it, you have to be truly present and in the moment, and that is a skill that comes with hiking.
El Camino de Santiago Sunset
this hike is worth it for the sunsets alone
For the more adventurous who want to experience something that brings you all the benefits of hiking mentioned above paired with the thrill of a new experience and knowledge that you are going the same way that people have been passing through for the past eleven centuries, consider a modern-day pilgrimage to Santiago.
Watching the sun as it sets at the end of a hike on the Camino de Santiago is one of the greatest pleasures that pilgrims look forward to on their long hike. No matter what your religious views are, there is something majestic and unique in that special Spanish sunset.
Conclusion
No matter where you are in the world right now and how far from home you go, there is something to get from a simple hike through nature. It is your chance to reconnect with your inner self and reclaim some of the inner peace we all crave these days. Plus, it is very beneficial for your health and it also offers the reward of the sunset to end the day.
-Rebecca
I’m Rebecca, a translator and avid traveler, a book worm and horror flick enthusiast. My job has given me the amazing opportunity to travel to dozens of countries around the world, and writing on Rough Draft gives me a chance to try to showcase some of those stories.
