Perpetual Wellness Episode 8: Hiking, What’s the Big Deal?

Apr 12

Perpetual Wellness Episode 8 is out! In this episode, I discuss the many benefits of getting outside for a hike. Check our Youtube channel to watch and get more insights in our blog post below:

Hiking: What’s the Big Deal?

(Inspired by Episode 8 of Perpetual Wellness)

You’ve seen the trails, you’ve felt the fresh air, you’ve heard people say “Let’s go for a hike” — but what is the big deal with hiking? In Episode 8 of Perpetual Wellness, we dive into this question with more than just enthusiasm: we dig into why putting one foot in front of the other in nature can be a profound act of wellness.

Here’s what we glean from the episode (and beyond) — and why you might just want to lace up your boots.

What the episode shares

I discuss how hiking offers a physical challenge that’s accessible. You don’t need a gym full of equipment — just a good pair of shoes, some trail time, and maybe a bit of planning.
There’s emphasis on how hiking connects you to nature. The shift from indoor screens or city sidewalks to trails, trees, rocks, fresh air — that change of environment matters.
My episode points out the mental-health benefits: being out on a trail gives space for brain reset, for the kind of quiet or moderate exertion that unlocks clarity and calm.
It also mentions the social aspect: hikes with friends or family, shared goals, maybe even some good conversation or comfortable silence while moving together.
Finally, there’s a nod to how hiking fosters a sense of achievement: finishing a trail, reaching a viewpoint, stepping beyond your comfort zone in a friendly way.
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Additional benefits worth highlighting

Beyond what the episode covers (and living in the spirit of Perpetual Wellness), here are a few more reasons why hiking is such a potent wellness practice:

Cardiovascular and muscular strengthening
Hiking uses your legs, core, and often arms (if you’re navigating terrain). The uneven surfaces, incline changes, and even carrying a pack make your body adapt. This helps cardiovascular health, muscle tone and stamina. For the wellness-journey person, that means more functional strength and healthier heart.
Improved mood & stress reduction
Research consistently shows that being in green space — forests, trails — lowers stress hormones, elevates mood, and improves overall psychological wellbeing. The act of hiking is a moving meditation of sorts: rhythm, breath, scenery change. It supports resilience in your mind.
Mind-body connection and mindfulness
Hiking invites you to be present. The trail asks for attention: footing, surroundings, weather, your pace. This facilitates what many call “flow” or “being in the moment”. Instead of being distracted by notifications or to-do lists, you’re synchronizing with nature and your body.
Connection, community and solitude—all valid paths
Depending on how you choose it: a hike can be social (friends, family), it can be communal (a hiking group), or it can be solitary (just you and the trail). Each offers different wellness flavors: shared joy, accountability, or quiet introspection. The Perpetual Wellness ethos celebrates all of these.
Inspiration for lifestyle habits
Once you start hiking, you often adopt supporting habits: better sleep, more hydration, cleaner nutrition (because you feel stronger and want to fuel well), better recovery/rest days. It becomes more than “just a hike” — it becomes a portal to a broader wellness lifestyle.

How to make your hike count (in true Perpetual Wellness spirit)

Choose a trail appropriate for your level: Don’t push super-steep if you’re just starting. Success breeds more success.
Pack intentionally: Comfortable shoes, water, a snack, a jacket or layers if needed.
Set the intention: Maybe you’re going for clarity, maybe connection, maybe just to get out of your head. Name it.
Be present: Value what the trail gives you—views, sounds, fresh air, physical sensation.
Reflect afterward: How did you feel? What changed in you? This reinforces the experience.
Celebrate it: A hike finished is a win. Maybe you pick a new trail next time, or bring someone along.

Why this matters for you

If you’re following the Perpetual Wellness journey, you’re not just looking for quick fixes — you’re looking for sustainable practices that carry forward. Hiking fits this beautifully because:

It’s repeatable and scalable: As you grow stronger, you can pick harder trails, longer durations, more varied terrain.
It’s accessible: Trails exist nearly everywhere; you don’t need expensive equipment.
It’s holistic: It supports physical, mental, emotional, even spiritual dimensions.
It integrates with nature: And we often forget how restorative nature is. Hiking reminds us.

Final thought

So … what’s the big deal with hiking? Because it’s more than walking. It’s an invitation to move well, to breathe well, to think well, to connect (with self, others, nature). It’s an act of wellness in real time, step by step.

If you’ve been curious but haven’t yet answered the call of the trail — consider today your prompt. Pick a nearby route, grab a friend (or just yourself), and see what your body and mind will say.

Let’s keep moving, keep exploring, keep uncovering what “wellness” really means out in the open air.

Here’s to many more trails and many more “big deal” moments.

Crystal Perkins