The next time someone tells you to take a hike, don't be offended – do it! Your mental well-being and overall health will thank you . By know, we all know that exercise is a great way to keep weight in check, but it's also an ideal way to boost mental clarity, fend of depression and reduce anxiety. Why turn to Big Pharma drugs that promise to do the same, when you can take a walk in nature and improve your health, minus the high costs and terrible side effects?

In fact, studies have proven that hiking provides tremendous health benefits. One such study, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that, compared to people who walked for 90 minutes in an urban environment, those who walked for that same amount of time in a natural environment reported lowered levels of persistent negative thoughts.

Hiking in natural environment lessens depression, negative thoughts-

The published study, which notes that 70 percent of people are projected to live in urban areas by 2050, states that talking a "90-min walk through a natural environment may be vital for mental health in our rapidly urbanizing world."

Outdoor activity in nature boosts creative thinking ability, diminishes ADHD symptoms-

A different study also found that spending time walking in nature can help children who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Those with ADHD tend to demonstrate hyperactivity, have difficulty remaining focused and have impulse control issues. 

However, it was found that children who participated in "green outdoor activities" had reductions in such behaviors, making the case that exposure to nature is helpful for anyone in need of controlling their impulsive actions or waning attention span.

Walking or hiking in nature has also been found to reduce anxiety, increase self-esteem and diminish stress levels.

A focus on "park prescriptions" over Big Pharma-

So important is spending time walking in nature that many doctors are even "prescribing"patients what's been dubbed as "park prescriptions" and it's anything but the typical recommendation you might expect from a medical professional.

The mental and physical benefits of walking in nature are plenty; do your best to get out there and experience the benefits for yourself!

Sources for this article include:Collective-Evolution.com | PNAS.org | Blogs.NaturalNews.com | Slender.news | Science.NaturalNews.com | Natural.News