Rejuvenate Your Soul Through Hiking at Home
Going outdoors and exploring your surroundings is a great way to slow down your nervous system and soothe the body. Hearing the birds chirp, watching fish swim, and interacting with nature can provide an abundance of natural happiness. We shouldn’t find all our enjoyment on a screen when there is a whole world right at our fingertips.
In Northeast Ohio, we are fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful and diverse metro-parks. With 18 different options there are trails and recreational opportunities for all walks of life. Millions of visitors enjoy the Cleveland Metroparks each year making it one of Greater Cleveland’s most popular attractions. Taking advantage of our trail systems and fresh air is important to keep our minds and bodies healthy. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Hitting the trails can boost your mood, improve your sleep and reduce your risk of heart disease”. Hiking is also proven to lower blood pressure, improve arthritis, and combat diabetes. Hiking is beneficial for our mental health by reducing depression and anxiety.
Exploring the diverse Cleveland Metroparks offers numerous health benefits such as improved mood, better sleep, and reduced risks of heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes, while also fostering mental wellness by alleviating depression and anxiety. With over 300 miles of trails featuring varied landscapes like lakefront views and woodlands, these accessible parks provide ideal opportunities for individuals to connect with nature and enjoy quality time with loved ones, promoting overall physical and mental well-being.
After Covid, we learned to appreciate nature and how valuable it is to spend time with others. In this fast-paced world, it is important to slow down once in a while. A great way to spend quality time with a friend, relative, or neighbor is to share a walk together. In our MetroParks, you can find a tail that is best for you. Between lakefront views, inclined walks, woodlands, creeks, the options are endless. There are over 300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Everyone will find something they enjoy, and no one has to travel far as Metroparks locations are scattered around the Cleveland area.
Spend this season prioritizing your health by hiking with the people you love.
Visit our campus at McGregor for a stroll among nature, too!
Meghan McGuigan is a summer intern at McGregor
