The Health Benefits of Hiking

At Canyon Ranch, we invite guests to explore the trails not only to move their bodies but also to reconnect with nature's restorative power. Research increasingly shows that time in nature can help reduce stress, support the immune system, improve mood, and restore mental balance. A hike is more than exercise or sightseeing; it’s an opportunity to restore the body, mind, and spirit. ⁠ ⁠Discover the physiological science behind outdoor movement and how time on the trail renews your overall well-being.

⁠The Healing Power of Awe 

One of nature’s most powerful benefits comes from experiencing awe. Standing on a mountain, taking in a vast desert landscape, or simply pausing to appreciate the beauty around us can create a profound sense of connection and restore our well-being.  ⁠ ⁠Research suggests that experiences of awe can reduce stress and help lower inflammation, a key contributor to several chronic health conditions as we age. In fact, people who experience greater levels of awe have been found to have better health and longevity. In nature, these moments can remind us to pause, look up, and experience something larger than ourselves.

Breathe In Nature’s Medicine 

There’s also something healing in the air itself. Plants release natural compounds called phytoncides, and when we spend time among trees and other vegetation, we breathe them in, which research has shown supports immune function and helps the body relax. Both forest and desert plants release phytoncides associated with lower stress hormones, healthier blood pressure, and reduced inflammation.

Give Your Brain Time to Recharge 

Nature also gives the brain a chance to recover. Modern life can drain our attention span. Nature captures our attention more gently through moving leaves, birdsong, changing light, or the view from a trail. This meditative experience allows the part of the brain responsible for sustained focus to rest and recharge. A hike can leave us feeling mentally clearer and physically energized. 

That is why hiking at Canyon Ranch is an important part of the experience we offer. At our resorts, we combine movement, fresh air, beautiful surroundings, mental restoration, and the opportunity to experience awe.  

Sometimes the simplest prescription is also one of the most powerful: step outside, breathe deep, move your body, and give yourself time to reconnect with nature.

References

Awe and Inflammation ⁠ ⁠Monroy M, Keltner D. Awe as a Pathway to Mental and Physical Health. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2023 Mar;18(2):309-320. doi: 10.1177/17456916221094856. Epub 2022 Aug 22. PMID: 35994778; PMCID: PMC10018061. ⁠ ⁠Stellar, J. E., John-Henderson, N., Anderson, C. L., Gordon, A. M., McNeil, G. D., & Keltner, D. (2015). Positive affect and markers of inflammation: discrete positive emotions predict lower levels of inflammatory cytokines. Emotion (Washington, D.C.), 15(2), 129–133. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000033 ⁠ ⁠Nature's Impact on Stress  ⁠ ⁠Shuda, Q., Bougoulias, M. E., & Kass, R. (2020). Effect of nature exposure on perceived and physiologic stress: A systematic review. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 53, 102514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102514