I have been an avid walker all my life, and there is no secret that walking has clear physical health benefits. But since I became familiar with mindfulness, I realized there has always been an important distinction between walking in a city and walking in nature. That is when I began to truly notice the mental health benefits I was unconsciously getting from walking in nature.

When I walk in the city, I tend to stay in a very reactive state of mind. A loud car horn, impolite pedestrians, sudden rain clouds, or a hot sun can easily make me feel frustrated.

When I walk in nature, I shift into the opposite state – an observant one. I become calmer, more patient, and less reactive to any obstacles. Difficult terrain, sudden weather changes, or challenging steps do not create stress, but rather a sense of release.

So, no matter how much I run or work out indoors or on asphalt lanes in the city, walking in nature has a special place in my routine. No matter how busy life gets, I try to hike to the closest mountain at least once a week, even if only for a short time.

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