Need a break from the Matrix?
I had a little debate with a friend of mine about the subject of hiking without a cell phone. His argument was the obvious, what if something happens and you need help? To which I responded, so are you saying people didn’t hike before cellies? I guess we’re both right, obviously, hiking has been around as long as humans can walk and my buddy has a point. What if something does happen and isn’t technology there to make our lives safer and easier, and therefore to be taken advantage of? It’s definitely true that when you crack your skull open 7 miles away from civilization with only your high buddy to help, a quick call to get a Medivac helicopter is probably more likely to save your life than your smoked-out hiking partner making it back that 7 miles to get some help without getting lost himself or worse, never even make it. And then you would have 2 missing hikers out there….damn maybe I should hike with a phone lol.
But here is why I hike without a cell phone. It’s truly the only time when I get to fully unplug from the Matrix, especially the mobile phone. It is true that a cellphone can help you in an emergency but I am willing to depend on my common sense to be safe out there just like I would be if there weren’t any phones. A careless person is a careless person with or without a phone. And correct, even with all the confidence, safety, and common sense, stuff can still go wrong. And that is the chance I am willing to take for a few hours in the real world. Unplugging and being away from electronic currents and radiation is something that is a treat nowadays and you can only get that in nature far away from the Matrix. In order to connect with this hike and feel and see all the beauty, I really do not need any distractions. I want to feel and capture the beauty of the landscape in my mind, not in a selfie. Let me hear the birds sing me an original song, I don’t need Jay-Z or Taylor Swift to ruin the whole vibe, and faith in my common sense is gonna protect me from going off track or attempting stuff that my skill level can’t handle.
So regardless, hiking is an excellent way to connect with nature and get a break from everyday stresses, with your mobile or not. And there is actual scientific data to back it all up and I made a small summary from stuff I found around the net.
How hiking will improve your overall health and well-being
- Improved Immune system health: Outdoor activities like hiking have proven to strengthen the immune system. Exposure to natural environments, sunlight, clean oxygen, and nature sounds improves overall health and immune function which leads to a happier and longer life.
- Mental health stabilizer: Feeling anxiety, stress, and depression? Take a hike and leave it all behind. Science has proven that the greens of nature, smell, and sounds have a calming effect on your mind, leading to improved mental health, reduced depression, and improved mood.
- Improved mobility: The unpredictable surfaces of hiking have been shown to strengthen overall mobility in any environment by strengthening muscles which usually do not get any exercise.
- Physical health powerhouse: Wanna strengthen your heart muscles for better cardiovascular health? Get to the top of the mountain if you like things like lower blood pressure, a strong and healthy heart, overall increased fitness levels ranging from stamina, endurance, stronger legs and core, and of course losing a few pounds
- Improved cognitive abilities: Hiking is a brain-stimulating exercise. All the beauty and wonders of the outdoors are natural endorphin-inducing parameters that combined with trail navigation and memory serve as the perfect tool to improve your cognitive abilities.
- Social connections; Last but not least, a hike presents the perfect opportunity to engage in real social interactions instead of nerdy cell phone parties. Meet real people, and like-minded minds, hike with family or some friends, or take your first date on a hike. Studies have shown that outdoor activities like hiking lead to more meaningful and more fulfilling social interactions.
Be safe out there on the trails!
Daniel Florian
