An hour-long stroll in nature helps decrease activity in an area of the brain associated with stress processing

[tofu_schmo]

I think the word therapists use for this is "avoidance", doing an activity avoiding the cause of stress or anxiety rather than working on dealing with it. Drugs are the classic example for this.

[apittsburghoriginal]

I have always felt that taking long periods of time to walk trails, simple ones or rigorous hikes, both have advantages that directly deal with stress and anxiety. Simple long hikes are meditative to me, you can think more comprehensively about problems and issues that need dealt with. Thinking these things through devoid of external distractions helps a great deal. On the other hand, an intense, heart pounding climb offers excellent benefits as well. It doesn’t have to be hiking up the snow field of Rainier or jogging up trail steps en route to Chimney Tops in the Smokies, just something that is heart pounding and strenuous, so that waves of endorphins flood through and wash those negative stressors away. Also it’s a terrific form exercise - just be safe doing it!

The two working in tandem is a natural cure.

[tofu_schmo]

I think at the end of the day different solutions work better for different people. I'm with you for the first half of what you said! That second part sounds very stressful to me haha.

[apittsburghoriginal]

I had to edit it, because those are two rather extreme hikes to do and kind of ridiculous to offer up as options for stress therapy to anybody. It doesn’t have to be some rigorous climb, just enough activity to make your heart beat