Being stuck in confined spaces such as an office, the gym or a small apartment day in day out can become quite frustrating after a while, I'm sure you can relate.
When I find myself experiencing an ongoing stint of writers block, struggling to overcome or deal with any hard hitting decision I have to make due to decision fatigue or lack of information, or even when I'm struggling to find the motivation to perform cardio to keep my cutting phase on track
there's one thing that always seems to help me overcome it.
You don't have to buy it, you don't have to order it. It's not an eBook and it's certainly not a pill.
Introducing The Benefits of Hiking
"Research shows that hiking has a positive impact on combating the symptoms of stress and anxiety," says Gregory A. Miller, PhD, president of the American Hiking Society. "Being in nature is ingrained in our DNA, and we sometimes forget that."
Getting outside and going for a hike is the solution, I do this at least once per month.
After 3 - 4 hours outdoors getting some vitamin D, burning a plethora of calories and taking in some great views I'm able to come back to the problems with a clear mind, more motivation and potential solutions.
Over time I've unconsciously created this trigger - when I'm getting beat down by the above I use this as a trigger to arrange a road trip hiking.
Go by yourself and listen to an audiobook on the drive, or take positive company with you. No complainers and no negative nancys.
A few hours out spent trekking along dirt paths, climbing rocks and admiring views will do wonders for your mental health as well as your physique - the uneven surfaces, objects to climb and varying inclines and declines you're often faced with when hiking are a great lower body and core workout too - something traditional cardio (e.g. the treadmill or elliptical) are unable to do... several of the many benefits of hiking.
How such a situation is conventionally dealt with.
The well-known book 'As A Man Thinketh' by James Allen contains one of my favourite quotes of all time that is extremely accurate to this day, in my mind...
“Man is made and unmade by himself. In the armory of thought he forges the weapons which will destroy him. He also creates the tools with which he will build for himself heavenly mansions of joy and strength and peach. Between these two extremes are all the grades of character, and man is their maker and their master. ”
The average man will often attempt to relieve this ongoing frustration in the complete opposite way he takes what he thinks is the easy way out and his weak mind folds to his immediate desires, by locking himself in his room or apartment and surrounding himself with all the things that will drag him even deeper into the negative spiral that is emerging..
Junk food, pornography, video games
These may provide very temporary satisfaction, however these are all taking him one step further away from his goals.
Wanting to lose fat? You've just consumed a few thousand extra calories for literally no benefit.
Pornography can destroy your sex life and the confidence and interaction you have around women can quickly fade.
Video games are a mere distraction, a time waster to get your mind off the matter you're trying to deal with... but you're going to have to go back and face it later so why delay?
As Mike Cernovich said about Juicing in the Fit-Juice Trilogy "when it comes to your health you either pay the price now (the cost of living and eating well) or you pay the price later (poor health, medical issues and hospital bills).
Get out of the city and detach yourself from things. You'll clear your mind and improve your health. Get out there and reap the benefits of hiking this weekend.
What's your take on hiking? Do you have any similar hobbies to help you overcome the wear and tear of the day to day life?
Let me know in the comments below!